Lost Dutchman State Park

The Superstition Mountains lay in the Sonoran Desert just east of Mesa, Arizona and was said to have received it's name by old Indian Legends. Back to the 1800's. there was a tale of a Mexican family who struck gold, and on the way back to Mexico, they were ambushed and killed by the Apache Indians. To this day, they call this area Massacre Grounds. I can say with almost certainty, your chances of finding gold and being ambushed by Indians is minimal. What you will find these days, is a great state park that offers camping, picnicking, hiking, and sightseeing adventures. Most popular in fall through spring you can enjoy the state park's 7 trails. They range from .25 mile to 5.8 miles. The daddy of them all, is the Siphon Trail, which leads you to the the top which is called the Flatiron. This trail is recommended for experienced hikers only who are in good shape. It takes around 5 hours or so to complete this trail. In the event you're not into hiking and want to just take in the view with a family picnic, the park offers 2 day use areas with covered picnic tables and bathroom facilities. If you still want to take your adventure just a little further, then you will enjoy the parks campground. It offers 72 campsites which 38 of them have electric and water hookups. The park offers showers, visitors center, and a dump station. There is a 15 day limit stay, and checkout time is 2 pm. Fees are around $15 per night. You can also reserve for group camping as well. Now if that's not enough, you can download the monthly calendar of events that the park puts on. These include astronomy programs, ranger led moonlight hikes, pet friendly hikes, geology hikes, and much much more. If you're inclined to be more adventurous and want to explore outside of the park, head east along the Apache trail and you'll end up at Canyon Lake, and Tortilla Flats. If you keep going, you will eventually end up passing Apache Lake and Roosevelt Lake. Right now is a great time to explore the superstition wilderness. The volcanic rock formations, and wildlife are just breathtaking. Remember, always pack out what you pack in. Never leave a trace and always respect wildlife. For more information contact the park at 480-982-4485. For info online visit azstateparks.com

Jerome, Arizona

Well it wasn't my first time and positive it won't be my last time to visit Jerome, Arizona. Practically a native , I have enjoyed coming here ever since I was a young girl. On our way north on Interstate 17 this morning, we decided to take the back way using Hwy 169-89A up through the historic Mingus Scenic Drive. The colors of fall have faded, but to our delight, there were patches of snow as a reminder we are in the dead of winter in Arizona. The road is a bit windy, so be careful not to take the turns too fast. About a 19 mile drive is all it took until it dropped us right into Jerome. As a historical landmark in Arizona, this old mining town with a population of over 450, still stands strong today. To give you a bit of it's history, it was founded in 1876,and was once the fourth largest city in the Arizona Territory.It is also said that Jerome is the biggest ghost town in Arizona as well. I think the scariest part in my opinion is, that most of the dwelling's are practically hanging off the cliffs. Jerome sits atop Cleopatra Hill at approx (5,200 feet) between Prescott and Flagstaff. The view from up there is so spectacular as you see the red rocks of Sedona, and the San Francisco Peaks protruding from behind. Today was breezy and cold, but nothing stopped us from eating at the famous Jerome Palace Haunted Hamburger. I first heard of this restaurant in an article in Arizona Highways magazine. It is said that a ghost of a woman appears from time to time, and when renovations were underway at one point, tools started to disappear and then reappear once it was talked about them disappearing. This is a small, fast paced restaurant, with indoor and outdoor seating with a breathtaking view of the Verde Valley. But most importantly, they have the best hamburgers in town. I highly recommend this place and you will also enjoy so much more on the menu. Whenever you get a chance I encourage you visit Jerome. The people are friendly, the food is fantastic, and the views are a site to see. Oh, and don't forget to check out Copper Country Fudge. visit them in person in Jerome, or visit them online at coppercountryfudge.com you will be in for a treat!

Cave Creek, Arizona

When you hear the word Cave Creek, what words come to mind? Cowboys, shopping, food, or maybe even stagecoach? Well, all of the above and much much more. I had the pleasure of visiting the town of Cave Creek many times growing up and still enjoy it today. Just this past week my sister and I decided to have lunch at the famous Satisfied Frog restaurant and bar. To our dismay, and due to financial hardship a couple years back, it was taken over by the Silver Spur Saloon & Eatery which happend to be the very restaurant we were eating at. The food was great, and the restaurant is surrounded by local merchants selling all kind of neat items such as t-shirts, hot sauce, and jewelry. After lunch we did some shopping around the area and took some pictures. With a little research of it's history here is what I found:

The town of Cave Creek is actually named after Cave Creek which still flows today. Indian settlers like the Hohokam, and the Apaches lived among the creek and grew crops. The history of permanent settlers goes back to the mid to late 1800's. The gold rush is what brought a lot of settlers to this area. Soon saloons, restaurants,a post office, and a school were built. During the 1930's and 1940's, with the construction of Bartlett Dam and Horseshoe Dam, this brought more and more activity to the area as well as electricity and telephone. In 1952 the road was paved all the way to Phoenix. Cave Creek has nearly 30K or more residents which also make up a great majority of merchants like Rose who we met manning a small indoor shop full of goods such as jewelry, ceramics, and a stuffed Javelina named Suzy. Not sure she was for sale though. Please get out and visit the town of Cave Creek. It is so full of rich south western heritage. From antique stores, to saloons, to fine dining and even western dancing, Cave Creek has it all. Y'all come down and visit ya hear!

For more information on Cave Creek visit www.cavecreek.org

Washington Park Payson, AZ Labor Day 2010

If you've ever heard of Houston Mesa Rd. it is located just off of Hwy 87 just as you pass through Payson, AZ to the right. If you have ever traveled through the beautiful mogollon rim up near Payson, you will be in for a treat when you travel this somewhat unknown but well traveled road. Just as you turn east on HMR,soon you will see the HM campground. This delightful campground has many camp sites,showers,flush toilets, picnic tables, and drinking water. The good news is, that it accepts reservations, the bad news is, there are no hookups. The next site you will encounter is the Shoofly Ruins. This is an ancient Indian dwelling that existed around 1000 to 1250 a.d. All that is left are a few broken down walls which has the appearance of a cluster of rocks. This is a self guided area, and is quite beautiful. Stop in, read the interpretive signs and make an experience of it. The next encounter you will find along HMR, is Water Wheel Campsite. Unfortunately due to a man made fire, this site is currently closed. Traveling forward along HMR FR199,venture on to FR64 until you meet up with a quaint little town called whispering Pines. If you continue on and drive onto FR32, you will enter Washington Park. When traveling along WP you will see many areas where you can disperse camp. At the end of the road, you will meet up with a couple of hiking spots like the Highline Trail, and Colonel Devin Trail. Not far from these trail heads, is where we set up camp. The spaces are large enough for RVs. Just behind us is what I believe is the Bonita Creek. We spent a lot of time down there and hiking through it. The dogs just loved it. Much to our delight, we found blackberry bushes all along the river. They were so delicious.The surrounding pine trees are enormous and some are believed to be over 200 years old. Don't just take my word for it, please get out and explore what nature has provided. Arizona is full of some spectacular places. Remember to always pack out what you pack in. Leave as little impact as possible, and never destroy wildlife. We are here as a guest. Happy traveling and camping everyone.

What the heck is Arcosanti?

Well I haven't heard that word in a long time until this morning when my mom called and asked me to tag along on a road trip in search of the perfect windbell she needed for a gift. Ok, what is a windbell, and where exactly is Arcosanti again? If you travel north on Interstate 17 (exit at 262 Cordes Junction) and turn right, you will see a sign that points to the left called Arcosanti. Travel just a few miles down and you will find it.
The founder and chief architect of Arcosanti is an Italian man known as Paolo Soleri. Paolo was born in Italy in 1919 and moved to the United States to continue with his architectural career. He purchased land in Arizona in 1956, and in 1969, Arcosanti was designed and began construction in 1970. The term Arcosanti comes from the concept of architecture and ecology. Paolo's vision is to create a urban city with little impact on the environment, and in fact using the environment's natural resources rather than man made materials. This created Arcosanti. There are several sites within Arcosanti to see. We stopped at visitors center to purchase the windbells from the gift shop, but I couldn't help but walk up and down the stairs amazed at the beautiful architecture of the five story building. They have a great cafe as well. Some of the other structures you will see on the property are an outdoor amphitheatre, community swimming pool, apartments, greenhouses, gardens, and agricultural fields.Arcosanti is still a work in progress today and is primarily used for education. People from all over the world come here for education each year, and there are workshops almost all year round which helps with funding to keep Arcosanti running just as Paolo envisioned it would. The windells are pretty amazing as well, and can be purchased and shipped right from the gift shop. Don't just take my word for it, Visit this spectacular place for yourself. For more information either visit www.arcosanti.org or call 928-632-7135. Their hours of operation are open 7 days a week from 9am -5pm and tours are scheduled on the hour from 10am -4pm. Get out and explore Arizona.

Heber/Overguard, AZ

My husband and I had a great opportunity to visit Heber, AZ to celebrate the 4th of July this year with family and friends. One thing to remember, if you plan on attending Heber/Overguard for the 4th of July, you better plan months ahead of time as the only few hotels/lodges fill up very quickly. We left the Phoenix weather behind at 110 degrees to an 85 degrees in Heber. I can't say I was upset by that. My whole idea of writing these entries is to educate my readers on great places to travel and camp in the great state of Arizona. Despite the political views one may have, Arizona is still a beautiful place to be in and explore. Now let me introduce you to Heber/Overguard. This cute town was founded in around 1877 by mormans and is named after Heber J. Grant. The neighboring town Overguard, was found much later around the 1930's. Most Arizonans will remember the most devistating wild fire in the history of AZ which was called the rodeo/chedeski fire, which burned up a total of about 467K acres. When you travel east passing through Overguard, you can still see the devistating effect it took on the forest.
Some of the neighboring cities you will find near Heber/Overguard are, Payson, Forest Lakes, Pinedale,Show Low,Snowflake,and Hollbrook.Since there are so many campgrounds in the surrounding area, I decided to attach a link here. This is for the Apache Sitgreaves National Forest. This link will also allow to you to view fire restrictions which are so important, and all additional info you may need before traveling http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/asnf/recreation/campgrounds Happy camping and traveling everyone.

Catalina State Park Tucson, Arizona

I had the pleasure along with my husband, and our yorkie Bailey, of visiting Catalina State Park in Tucson, Arizona this past weekend, and I was pleasantly amazed at it's beauty. I had heard about this place courtesy of my sister Jennifer who visited there last weekend. This park is nestled in the Coronado National Forest just minutes from a major city, and you would not have even known it. There is so much to talk about, so I will just get right down to it. The park itself offers so many adventures like hiking, bird watching, and camping.
The park is equipped with four major camping areas. The group camp area, (2 group sites) is the only area that will take reservations. You must have a minimum of 20 people and no more than 200. Each site has a 20x40 shade ramada, fire ring (bring your own wood) BBQ grill,and picnic tables. You can reserve up to 12 months in advance. The fees are $35 for the reservation, and $15 per vehicle per night.
The equestrian staging and camping area has 8 pens available. It is a first come first serve(no charge)area, which you can either use as a day trip which will cost you $6 or you can camp for $15, but there are no hookups. Horses cannot be ridden on some of the trails, so be sure to check ahead of time.
The next camp area (site B) allows RVs with no length restrictions. This area offers water and electric hookup and contains 95 sites. Here you will pay $25 a night with a 14 day maximum stay.
The last camp site which is (site A) has no hookups available. It has 25 sites available. all three of these campgrounds are all first come first serve only. The good news is that the campground facilities have bathrooms which are absolutely huge,clean,and have showers. The bad news is, since it is a first come first serve only, you may or may not find a site. They were full when we arrived, except by some miracle, there were 2 available sites in site B. One we got, and the other went to the people who were behind us. You can also take advantage of group day use as well. There are 2 day use group areas which are available also. It has a minimum of 20 people and a maximum of 200. It has the same amenities as the group campground and you can reserve this area as well. Good news about both group sites, they have flush restrooms and showers.
Camping is not the only thing available, you can also take advantage of some of the many wonderful hikes and site seeing as well. We arrived later than we expected so I was itching to do at least something before sun down, so I decided to take off walking towards the Romero Ruins with Bailey. Derek stayed behind and napped a little. I was so amazed to find a wash just before the trail head. It was so refreshing to walk barefoot in the sand. The Ruins were amazing to see. The scenery of the mountains and all the wonderful cacti and flowers were so breathtaking. The saguaro's were so abundant as well. I was able to capture some amazing pictures also. I am not a fan of camping around a lot of people, but I have to say the sites were spaced enough apart for complete privacy. It was very quiet and relaxing. I have had so many experiences where we have been kept up half of the night with other drunk campers in the area. You could have heard a pin drop that night. All in all, I would recommend this park not just for it's great camping, scenery, hiking, but for it's cleanliness, and hospitality it's employees have provided. A personal camp host takes you right to your camp spot. What other camp ground does that? Happy Camping everyone. http://azstateparks.com/Parks/CATA/index.html

Montezuma Well

Well, when I first started this blog, I intended it to be for camping advice, but since I find myself doing more traveling than camping lately why not write about my recent adventures. Due to the weather conditions in Flagstaff, Arizona over this past weekend, my husband and I were not able to visit the Wupatki National Monument just outside of Flagstaff. This is just one site of the three we did not attend. Since we had conquered all others in Flagstaff, we decided to travel south on Interstate 17 on our way home to see if anything of interest stood out. We saw a sign for Montezuma Well and thought, "what the heck" let's see what's it's all about. To our delight, we ended up enjoying every minute of this fantastic site.
Montezuma Well is sometimes referred to as "The living Desert Oasis" It was formed some 11,000 years ago. It is 365ft across and 55ft deep. Some of the early inhabitants are the Hohokam and the Sinagua Indians. The Hohokam Indians were said to have existed there around 600 A.D. and the Sinagua Indians around 1125 A.D. Scientists are not exactly sure what drove the Indians out, but they believe it was due to fear of war, disease, crop failure or even intra-villiage rivalry. In 1853, the first white man arrived at Montezumas Well. They found the vilage abandoned except for some local Indians living there. It wasn't until April of 1947 that it became a national monument. Once you arrive, you will be happy to know that it is free to visit here. Donations are accepted and much appreciated of course. There is a slight climb to the top of the overlook of the well, but when you get there, it pretty neat to see. They have stands with an overview of the history all along the entire path. You will see cliff dwellings, turtles, ducks, and even the irrigation system that was built and is still running today. This is a must see site. I don't want to give much away, as I want you to see this for yourself.

Apache Lake, Arizona

One word come to mind when I think of Apache Lake and that is, "Beautiful". I know that just about anyone you ask ,who either lives in a different state, or just visiting Arizona, would say they have a lake just as equally beautiful they love to visit in there own state. But for me, the prettiest lake I have been to by far in Arizona, is Apache Lake.

Arizona is known for it's beautiful mountains, sunsets, and great weather. Of course there is much more, but these are just a few that come to mind. I have had the pleasure of visiting Apache Lake camping back in April of 2009, and early October 2009. The main campground area is Burnt Corral. We never did track the distance from the Marina to the campground, but if I had to guess, I would say about 7-10 miles. There are two ways to reach Apache Lake that I know of, and that is either along the historic Apache trail 88, or 188 from highway 87 north towards Payson, Arizona. If you travel from Mesa along the Apache Trail 88, some of the places you will see, is the Superstition Wilderness area, Canyon Lake, Tortilla Flat's, Fish Creek Vista, Apache lake Marina, Burnt Corral Campground, and just as you make the turn onto 188 ,the majestic Roosevelt Lake. Apache Lake has been said to be the Jewel of the Salt River Lakes. The colorful rock formations stand so tall and majestic. It is a sight you just have to see for yourself. Now let me tell you about all the cool stuff you will find near this lake. First off, you have the marina and resort. Might I add, the workers there, are all so personable and welcoming. The lake is only closed two days out of the year, and can you guess why? Well if you said Xmas and thanksgiving, you are right. But hey, they are entitled to a break right?. They have a restaurant and lounge (with seating outside facing the lake), how cool is that. They have motel rooms and suites, full service marina with boat rentals, bait shop, and a gas dock. The have a campground with full RV hookup, as well as cable TV. There is a general store with most everything, and to include firewood and ice.

Since this lake and campround are situated in the Tonto National Forest, it does require a permit. I am told you can buy them at the resort, but I did not confirm. I will attach a link to TNF, as you will find a listing as to what merchants sell them. They are good for every twenty four hours.

Burnt Coral campground, which is located about 7-10 miles north past the marina, is really nice. You will find a cement picnic table, fire ring in your camp site, and if your lucky, a water spigot as well. You will find bathrooms throughout, and a friendly camp host. Don't just take it from me, please go visit Apache lake for yourself. Here are some great links. http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/tonto/home.shtml

http://www.apachelake.com/

Crown King, Arizona

Anyone up for some yummy homemade fudge? Well, this is just one of the many things I took advantage of while traveling through the town of Crown King, Arizona, just a couple weeks back. I find it truly fulfilling to have a husband who equally shares my interest in just short day trips at the spur of the moment. My sister Chris rode along with us on this trip as well.
Crown King, which is shortened from it's original name Crowned King Mine, is nestled in the Bradshaw mountains in the Prescott National Forest. There is plenty of history to learn from this old mining ghost town. If you arrive at Crown King hungry or thirsty, don't worry they have you covered at the CK Saloon, established in 1906 and CK Cafe. The bar is stocked and the menu has some great choices. If your a vegetarian, don't worry they have veggie burgers, and they go great with an ice cold beer. If your in the mood for fudge, visit the CK general store. I am not kidding, they have fabulous fudge and so many varieties. They will ship this fudge to wherever you would like also. What a great idea for birthday's or even Christmas. Don't forget to take advantage of the many wonderful souvenirs they have as well. I walked out of there with fudge, and two books. The prices are very reasonable as well. If you would like more information on CK, please visit their site at www.crownking.com
Lodging and Camping are just some of the many amenities they offer.

Dispersed Recreation Camping

This is referred to as camping away from a developed area, on public land. Although I may camp at designated campgrounds from time to time, I prefer this way. Most developed campgrounds, come with many features such as runnung water spigets, toilets, fire rings, trash facilities, and picnic tables. When you do dispersed camping, you must bring your own items. This may be okay for some, but if you are a beginner camper, you may want to stick with developed campgrounds. This way, you have the amenities provided, so that you don’t have to take out extra expenses for. With disperse camping, comes pretty strict rules. Most are just common sense, but some you must know about ,by doing some research ahead of time, by pulling up your local BLM, and forest service information online. Remember the song “this land is your land, this land is my land”?, well it’s true, this is our land, so let’s keep it clean and thriving for generations to come. Here are some good rules to follow, not just for dispersed camping, but whenever you go camping:

Dispersed camping is only allowed for specific duration. Check online, or contact your local BLM, or forest service areas ahead of time.
Camp at least 200 feet from any running water, such as lakes and streams.
No camping on private property, unless you have been given permission by the owner of the land.
Obey all signs.
Never dispose of refuse, waste, gray water, or anything hazardous that would pollute the area you are in.
Stay on designated roadways. Never create your own path, as this can destroy precious plant and animal life.
Always bury any animal and human waste ,about 200 feet out, and at about six to seven inches underground.
Pick up all your trash, and take it with you.
No camping within one-fourth of a mile from any watering hole, or tank hole. This will ensure that any animal, that relies on this water ,will not be denied.
Only gather wood that is on the ground for your campfire. Cutting down a tree for firewood, is illegal.
You as well as children, should know about fire safety. Always use a fire ring when building a fire. With disperse d camping ,you will likely have to build your own.
Never bathe in any local lake, stream, or watering hole/tank.
Always use common sense, and be respectful to people as well as plants and animals.
Whatever you pack in, you must pack out. It wouldn’t hurt to pack out just a little more of what others may have left behind.

Types of sleeping bags

I have to admit something. About two months ago, my husband and I went camping near Mormon Lake in Arizona, and I did not bring a sleeping bag. I figured since it is almost summer, I could get away with just bringing a blanket to sleep in. To my dismay, I froze my butt off. It got down to 40 degrees that night, and I could hardly regain any comfort. I have to express how important it is to bring a sleeping bag camping no matter what. In doing my research over the years, I have learned that there are basically two styles of sleeping bags, the rectangular, and the mummy.
The rectangle sleeping bag, is an older style bag which provides a lot of leg room and cushion. The good news with this style of bag is, that it can be zipped with an equal style bag to fit two people inside. The bad news is, that no matter how you roll it up, it takes up a lot of space. This style of bag is not as warm as the mummy bag.
The mummy sleeping bag is the most popular bag used especially for colder climates. Because of its cocoon shape, it allows you to maintain an equal body temperature throughout the night. Once you are in this style of bag, you can use the drawn sting to close the bag around your head only exposing your nose and mouth. I would not recommend this type of sleeping bag to someone who is claustrophobic. The best thing to do is when you are looking to purchase the right type of sleeping bag, make sure you follow these few principles:
-Check the weather ahead of time, so you have an idea what the temperature will be at night. If you purchase a sleeping bag that is expected to keep you warm at zero degree temperatures, and it’s only 70 degrees at night, you will probably wake up sweating and miserable.
-Look for good filling material. Currently there is synthetic fill and down fill. Synthetic is more cost effective, but down is warmer but more expensive.
-Look for the temperature rating on the tag affixed to the bag. Best thing to do is plan for an extra ten degrees to be on the safe side
-Look for tuck stitching on the bag. This is where the fabric is folded inward and the stitch is on the inside. This will make for better insulation.
-Make sure the bag you purchase will be long enough for you to fit comfortably in.
-Always check with a camping specialist if you visit a sporting goods store, as they tend to provide some good advice. If you purchase online, make sure you do your research first. As always, Happy Camping America.

Campgrounds and Cabins along Highway 260 in Arizona

I had the opportunity this past weekend to take notice of some wonderful places situated along highway 260 from Payson to Heber, AZ. Although I did not have a chance to visit all places, I did do a little research on the ones I passed. I hope that you find some of this information useful. The stretch from Payson to Heber along highway 260, is absolutely breath taking. The abundance of pine trees and fabulous weather are very popular among all types of motorists. More often than none, your sure to see elk crossing the highway. Just watch your speed as you drive along the winding stretch of highway. There are several passing lanes to allow for faster motorists.
A few miles up, and approx 17 miles from Payson, is Kohl's Ranch. This is a fabulous getaway for both children, adults, and pet's, Yes pet's. Here you will find creek side cabins, ranch lodge rooms, horseback riding, swimming, hot tubs, tennis, basketball, shuffleboard, steakhouse and saloon, and much much more. One nice thing is, this is also a pet friendly lodge. Only special rooms are available though. For more information on this great getaway, call them at 800-331-KOHL or locally at 928-478-4211. or visit http://www.ilxresorts.com/
Just up aways, we came upon Ponderosa Campground. Although I have never camped here, I took a drive through the campsite today. This is a great campground for many reasons. the first thing you will notice is the tall beautiful ponderosa pine trees. They tower above. There are 61 campsites available. Here are the amenities you will get. The site itself comes with a fire ring and table. There are bathrooms facilities and water spigots throughout. You will also find trash receptacles as well. I noticed when we first drove in, there was firewood for sale. Although I didn't take note of the fee, I did notice the fee for camping which is $16 per night. It may seem expensive at first, but after you look at how clean and spacious the campsites are, you will most likely think to yourself, it sure beats paying for a cabin which can run anywhere from $130-$280 a night. This campground said FULL when we arrived. It is first come first serve. If you click this link http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/tonto/recreation/rec-camping-index.shtml, this will give you some helpful info on fees, passes, etc. Tonto National Forest may require you to purchase a pass before you camp. It appears that Ponderosa Campground, collects it's fee on the spot. Also check out group campsites there as well.
Traveling on, I came across Tonto Creek. This is a place I have camped, hiked, and had picnics at growing up. This creek flows year round. Although you cannot camp right on the creek, you can camp pretty close. The sound of the flowing water is so relaxing, and the abundance of surrounding wildlife is breath taking If you stay on the same main road along the creek, you will end up at the Tonto Creek Fish Hatchery. Although this facility is closed to fishing, you can learn a thing or two about fish production. Here they raise several species of trout. One of the many creeks they stock, is the very own Tonto Creek. If your into bird watching and photography, here is the area to notice. For more information on Tonto Creek or the hatchery, contact the Payson ranger station at 928-474-7900.
Not far from Tonto Creek, is small town called Christopher Creek. My husband and I have stayed at Christopher Creek lodge. This was an awesome trip. They have individual cabins nestled right along the creek. The quiet atmosphere, along with the sound of the creek, was great. You can take nature walks as well as sit on your porch and watch birds and squirrels. Not far from there, is Christopher Creek Campground. This campground sign is visible from the highway 260. It is a first come, first serve campground, which means it is likely you will see a full sign come Saturdays during the summer months. There are 43 units which include, Picnic tables, toilets, grill, fire ring, trash service, and water. You can also fish for trout in the creek that runs through the campground. Fees are $15 and $7 for additional vehicles. For more information contact the ranger station at 928-474-7999. http://www.christophercreeklodge.com/
Another great campground is Canyon Point Campground. It is situated in the Apache- Sitgreaves National Forest about 14 miles west of Heber. They have 88 units ,of which 32 have electricity. Tents, trailers and motor homes are welcome, as long as you don't exceed 75 feet. Here you will find group sites, amphitheatre, grills, picnic tables, water, shower facilities, flushing toilets, RV sanitary facility, paved road, and a wonderful camp host. To get a copy of the fee schedule checkout this link . I would advise you vist this site regarding group reservations. http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/asnf/recreation/campgrounds/devcamp/devcamp_canyon.shtml

Sharp Creek Campground is located about 23 miles northeast of Payson just off highway 260. Here you will find 28 campsites to include, toilet, water, picnic tables, grill, fire ring, lantern holder, and firewood for sale at $6.00 a bundle. $20 for the first vehicle and then $10 for the second. This is usually open between Mid April -End of October. For more info on this campground contact the ranger station at 928-474-7900 or visit www.fs.fed.us/r3/tonto

Rustic Rim Hideaway Cabins located near Woods Canyon Lake in a town called Forrest Lakes, which is about 36 miles east of Payson. This is a great getaway place for summer, spring, fall, or winter. They have fully stocked cabins They are kid and pet friendly, but you must bring your own blanket for Fido. For more information on this location call them at 888-801-9030 or 928-535-9030 or on the web at http://www.rim-hideaway.com/

Black Canyon Lake is situated amongst the Apache- Sitgreaves National Forest about 15 miles southwest of Heber. It was built by the game and fish dept. back in the 60's to provide recreation to the public. With the devastation of the Rodeo-Chedeski fire back in 2002, it is only a day use picnic and fishing area. There are some amenities you will find such as parking area, restrooms, and boat ramp. If you plan on boating, they will allow 10 hp gas motor, or single electric motor only, There is camping nearby at Black Canyon Rim Campground which has 21 sites, toilets, water and gravel road access. Just a couple miles down is Gentry Camprgound, which has only 6 sites, toilet, water, and gravel road access. Both are a fee use area, and no reservations are needed.

As always, please obey all fire restrictions. Just a few years back, the Apache- Sitgreaves National Forest and Tonto National Forest, suffered a devastating human made fire, which burned thousands of precious acres of land. We want to keep this beautiful land for years and years to come.

Before traveling to any of these places, be sure to check ahead of time for any restrictions and fee schedule changes. The internet or the rangers stations can provide all the information you need. Happy traveling everyone.

Setting up Camp

Whenever I roll into camp, the first thing I do is check out the area. You want to make sure you are camping at a reasonable distance from the next camper to allow some privacy. Check the ground for any glass, nails, animal feces, rocks, cacti, or any type of obstruction. It is also a good idea to look for water. Most campsites have water spigots which allows you to have access to free water during your stay. If there is a camp host, ask where the water is. Once you set up your whole campsite, there is no turning back. Whether you camp in desert climates or wooded areas, look for flat areas where you can find shade from trees or bushes. I like to set up my whole campsite right away, that way I can get it done and relax.
This is my personal step by step method I use for setting up camp, but you choose what works best for you.
The first thing I do is set up my tent. Depending on the style of tent you use, this could be the most time consuming part of setting up. I will go over types of tents later on. Once you have your tent up, this will allow for all your blankets, sleeping bags, pillows, clothing, air mattress, and any other personal items you want stored and out of the way. The next thing I unpack is my camping kitchen. Whomever created them, was a genius. I am able to organize all my kitchen items. The next thing is to unpack all camp chairs, put together your toilet, put up a portable shower, put up the canopy, and set out all other Misc items. Don't forget to put out a garbage bag right away. I usually find a tree branch that is just aways from camp, so you don't get bothered by bees and flies. Make sure you pack out everything you packed in when your ready to leave. Here are a couple of good tips to remember:

Flies, ants, and bees are always unwelcoming guests when camping. Make sure you store your food above ground. Make sure you keep lids on all containers, including any food or garbage cans you may bring. Bees love to fly around used pop and beer cans. If you hang a garbage bag, try using the drawstring kind to keep it as closed as possible. Always pick up animal waste as soon as you see it, if you don't, you will see more flies than you knew existed. Happy Camping Everyone.

Food and beverage at the Campsite

When it comes to food and beverage the sky is the limit on what you can bring. If you are like me and have been camping for years, you probably remember the only style of cooking was on the old portable gas stove or even straight onto the campfire. while some find nothing wrong with this except, we have moved into the 21st century of cooking and that means cooking in style, and doing it in the outdoors, is no exception. Today you can literally buy cordless appliances such as auto drip coffee makers, blenders, grills, fryers, cookers, skillets, and ovens, yes ovens. So really these appliances have taken the guess work out of preparing food. You will pack what you like, here is a basic checklist of some of my must haves and favorites:

Meat (chicken, beef, pork, lunch meat, fish), bread, eggs, milk, coffee, chips, salad (potato,macaroni, house), pickles, olives, bacon, sausage, butter,salad dressing, potatoes (canned, instant, or raw), popcorn, fruit, juice, peanut butter and jelly, macaroni and cheese, soup, crackers, beans (canned),cheese, snacks (nuts, chocolate, dried fruit), soda, condiments (ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, salt, pepper), bottled water.

Some good packing tips:
Uncooked foods like chicken, beef, and pork should be kept at a safe temperature at all times until your ready to cook. They should be kept at temperatures below 51oF. It is best to store these items in an insulated cooler by themselves in safe proof containers. If you don't want to mess with raw meats, try cooking them at home first and then reheat later. Preparing sandwiches ahead of time, saves time and space. Try using plastic baggies for some of your items. Pack the non perishable items in a plastic tub, or even a box. Pack the perishable items in a separate cooler than the meat and beverages. If your wondering what type of ice to pack in, try block ice as it last longer than cubed or crushed. Save all excess water from your cooler in case you run out. I don't recommend this for drinking purposes.

Camp Fires

What is camping without a campfire? The smell of burning logs, the social gatherings, the story telling. When fires are permitted, it usually makes the whole camping trip worth it. Most campfires are made either at the crack of dawn, or just as the sun is setting. Just how do you make a proper campfire? Most campsites already provide a ring or a pit as they call it. This allows you to know exactly where your fire will be for the duration of your stay. If you are not staying in a camp facility where there is not a designated ring or pit, you will have to make your own, and you must ensure you follow some strict rules. Know the fire restrictions in your area. Here in Arizona we have a lot of them and for a good reason. It is HOT and Dry. If Smokey The Bear says "NO FIRES" he means it. If you have the A- okay here are some good tips to follow:



Never allow children to run around an open fire. Never let a child feed the fire with wood. They should only be allowed near a campfire with a responsible adult.

Gather only wood you see on the ground. Don't chop down the nearest tree, as fresh wood is harder to burn, and it's illegal.

You can also buy store bought wood, which usually costs about $5 a bundle, and last only about an hour, so I suggest you stock up.

Gather bark, pine needles, and small pieces of wood which are already on the ground, as this makes great kindling. You can also use good ole fashioned newspaper.

Make sure you have all the wood you need, so you don't start the fire and leave it unattended, why your out looking for more wood.

When building your fire, make sure you are about 6-8 feet away from any hanging branches, twigs, trees, leaves, and flammable things such as propane, or gasoline.

Make sure you have a supply of water by your fire, in case it starts to get out of control.

Have a camp shovel and Axe, or even a chainsaw.

Place kenneling in your pit tee pee style. This will allow air flow up the middle. Once you have this going, then gradually add larger pieces of wood until your fire reaches a safe burn.

Don't throw anything into the fire, that gives off toxins such as plastic and Styrofoam.

If the fire is out of control and you cannot get a handle on it, "DON'T PANIC". Try to put it out, or call or drive for help. It's a good idea to know exactly where your camped, in case you have to call for help. If you panic, you might not be able to tell the person on the other line where your at.

Completely put the fire out before going to bed. You can pour water or dirt, or both on it. If you still hear the fire crackle, it's not out.

When you are leaving, make sure that the cleanup process also involves removing any garbage you left in the fire pit.

Please be responsible when it comes to campfires. As Smokey The Bear says, "Only you can prevent forest fires".

Disposal of Human Waste

It's inevitable, both humans and animals pee and poop. Although wild animals have it made without any rules, us humans have strict rules when it comes to proper disposal of waste. I have camped in several campgrounds in which were regulated and some that were not, and I have to tell you, how disgusting it is to witness human waste which was not properly handled sitting out in the open for all to see, smell and step in. I have to tell you it is pretty gross, and not to mention unsanitary. There is such a thing as biodegradable toilet paper, which decomposes faster then regular toilet paper and is much safer for the environment. If you have ever camped and noticed all the toilet paper dropping all over camp, this is regular toilet paper left behind, probably when someone went potty behind a tree, and never picked up after themselves. Ok, here is the scoop. If you camp ,you have a couple of options of how you will rid yourself of waste. You can either bring your own latrine, or you can make your own. If you decide to use mother nature as your dumping ground, make sure you hike out about 200ft from your area and away from water. It is also best to find an area abundant with sunlight for faster decomposition. Make sure you dig a hole at least 6-8 inches deep if you are in higher elevations, and 4-6 inches for lower elevations. If you urinate and use toilet paper, pick up the bunches and place in a paper bag and burn if possible. Most campsites have bathroom facilities, but some don't. Please be responsible and pick up after yourself. If you don't, you are posing a health risk to the area and everyone who is around it. Here are some additional items you may find useful. Make sure you bring a camp shovel so you can properly did your hole. Bring small paper bags for toilet paper waste. Bring baby wipes for those unexpected moments. Bring hand sanitizer that is anti-bacterial. Remember,going to the bathroom outdoors, is so much harder than sitting on the toilet at home.

Camping with pets

True story, I was on a camping trip with my brother in Oregon a few years back, and there was a favorite ridge he liked to camp at and to my amazement there was an older gentleman camping with his bird and his dog. No kidding he had his bird there in a cage over looking Mount Hood. The point of my story is, no matter what pet you have, chances are you probably want them with you. However, not all pet's suitable for camping. This may be just because they have never been camping, or even outside for an extended period of time. In my experience, I have only seen dogs camp, but how unusual to see a bird. Anyhow, check out this information on camping with pet's and you be the judge.

One of the most important things you must do before heading out, is to find out if where you are going ,will allow pets. Find out what rules and leash laws exist. The worst thing to happen is to get all the way there, and find out you can't stay. That is a result of poor planning and no one to blame but you. I have mentioned in my checklist for pet's what items to bring, but I want to go a little deeper with some things to consider. If your pet is used to sleeping in a kennel it might be a good idea to bring it along so that way they feel more comfortable since they are in an unfamiliar territory. Animals get cold and hot just like people do, so make sure you treat your animal as you would be treated and don't leave them out in the cold or in the heat. It would be a good idea that you make a shaded area using tarp just for them. When it comes time for bed, my dogs sleep in my tent. I give them an area with blankets and pillows so they can curl up as well. I'm not saying cuddle with your animals, but treat them kindly. Also, I have seen tents specially made for animals. During the day make sure you have water available as well as food. It's not a good idea to leave a container of food lying on the ground, as ants need to eat too. Pick it up and seal it, and give later when their interested. Never leave your animals unattended at the camp site, and never leave them alone in the tent. Keep them confined the best way possible, to not to wander into other campsites. One of the most important things, is to pick up your animals waste immediately after seeing it. If you don't, you will have flies, and someone is bound to step in it and not to mention it STINKS! Just be courteous, as this also affects the next campers that move into that area. The next thing I want to touch on is, to make sure your animals is vaccinated and that they are healthy to travel. Good idea to have your animal checked out by a vet. And while you're there, look into getting some tick and flea repellent. The woods especially are prone to contain ticks, which carry deadly diseases. If your pet gets them, chances are you're coming home with them. And yes they also suck on humans YUCK! Don't forget to bring extra towels in case you need to dry them off ,and don't forget their favorite toys or any medications they may be taking. lastly, really be sure that the pet you're about to take, is truly one that will enjoy themselves and that it's not just your wish. You can always make arrangements for someone to watch your animals, even if its a neighbor. The worst thing is to bring a pet camping, and not come home with it. What a horrible thing to happen.

Camping With Kids

Camping with kids can be a great experience for them and for yourself, or it can take a turn for the worse. In this day and age kids prefer hand held video games or playing games on the computer. How can you convince a kid that camping can be fun? Since camping may be new to the family you will have to come up with creative ideas together. I suggest talking to your kids first to see what their idea of camping means to them. Heck have a mock camping trip in the back yard who knows you may have a lot of fun. If you have succeeded and have come up with a plan, here are some great things you and your kids can share when you are actually outdoors camping:
Take a nature hike. You will be amazed on what you will see and learn. Take pictures to share later.
Build a fort or maybe a tee pee
Play board games
Rent a boat or canoe
Bring arts and crafts
Bring a portable DVD player (Don't forget the movies)
Crayons and books, markers, and paint
Create a campfire story

Here are some important safety tips that parents should talk with their kids about before Camping:
Never play with fire. That means no running around an open fire, adding to it, or trying to put it out, or playing with matches
Respect wildlife. Never destroy plants or animals. Leave the area just as you arrived.
Be courteous to other campers
Learn more about nature and camping ahead of time

Safe proofing your home

I have provided you with some helpful tips with what to bring camping and a great camping checklist, but most importantly, is a checklist on how to safe proof your home before any trip. Here are some things to remember:

Tell a trusted neighbor or a family member where you are going and when you will be returning
Provide a cell phone number
Have someone pick up your newspaper and mail
Leave a spare key with trusted neighbor or friend
Lock all doors and windows
Make sure your electronics such as curling iron, coffee pot, etc are turned off or even unplugged
Clean up dishes
Take out trash
Set the alarm
Leave a light on outside
If you have an automatic garage door ,unplug the operating unit in case your code has been hacked into they cannot open the door