Boondocking at the Imperial Dam LTVA

 

We decided to go out to the Imperial Dam long term boondooking area. This is the view on our way.

This is a patch of something being grown and the beautiful view of the mountain range.

 Watering the plants.

The mountains close up with the sun almost up.

 Castle Dome rock

 Castle Dome on the left and the rest of the range.

 We have found the turn off of route 95 north of Yuma, AZ

 Entrance to the Proving Grounds and the road to the Imperial Dam.

 What a fantastic view.

 US Army proving grounds.

 Here's our sign.

View from the hill side at the sites by the lake.

 Dumping station sign and directions.

 Class C using the dumping station and water fill up.

 Need to have a place to dump your trash?

 Rates, not to bad a price.

 Camp Host site and bathrooms, no showers but toilets.

 This is the picnic area, there are no tables on the plateau.

 These folks have thought of everything, even a Library spelled Liberry.

 They are ready for the season, solar, covered chairs and satellite dish.

 Another example of solar in use.

 The ocotillo plans are in bloom and the different size of solar panels.

 People park where ever there is space and in the direction they desire.

 The open area that is available for camping.

 Some have solar and some do not, but look at the view.

 Friendly burros visit regularly.

 Another view of the lake side camping. It was a very windy day and there were white caps on the lake.

 Camping on the ridge overlooking the lake. What a beautiful site.

 Emergency services are available and they take care of each other out here.

 Almost everything you could need is close by.

 Even church services.

The area is noted for the date farms and this is what they look like. One of the things that is a must have here is a date shake. I think it must be an acquired taste.

Goals for summer Camping

February is already 1/2 gone the the winter is in full flight, but it is time to start setting goals for the summer camping season. Every year we like to sit down and set  some goals for where we want to go and what do we want to see. Also, how did we do last year on the goals we set? So, this week I want to talk about goals. Do you set them? Do you meet them?
Here's what we do. Usually the first of the year Jan or Feb. I bring up the Goal Setting conference of the Huggins group and set of date for the two of us to sit down and go over last years goals and set the ones for this year. The questions we discuss are:
Did we reach our goals from last year? If not why.
What did we enjoying doing most last year?
What are the top 3 goals we want to do this year?
What are the top 3 places we want to see?
What are the things we want to change in our rig.
What rally's would we like to attend.
As we discuss these goals, we review the goals we set for ourselves when we started out. We had a ten year plan in effect. One was to see all the National Parks. Have we done that? No, not yet, but every year we try to add at least one or two parks to our travel plans. I think this is one of the greatest gifts we have here in the US.
This year we were going to go up the west coast,but our son is getting married in Fl in June so we had to change our plans and choose somewhere else to go. We decided to go along I-40 and see the sights there. We will start at the Grand Canyon  and head east to Albuquerque NM, then to OK, Little Rock AR and then to a Fleetwood Motor Home Association (FMA) rally in Dequoin IL, and finally to Fl for the wedding. This will only take us to the end of June. So, there is still plenty to see lot of other places. So, this week I will contact the Dept of Tourism for the states and the Chamber of Commerce for the major cities to get more information about the areas .
So what are your plans this year? Where will you go and what will you see? Set time aside and start dreaming. It is amazing what they will send you at no cost to you. There is always lots of brochures of places you knew about and plenty you have no idea they were there.
You can find the address on the internet or at the back of most US maps.
Happy Camping

Meeting old and new friends

We have had a busy week visiting with friends. We had lunch with Pat and Nancy Patterson, and what fun that was. Pat brought a list of all the things that we had recommended and what he had bought. It was fun to listen to someone who actually took our advice but also we felt the responsibility of that. I know that the things we recommend work for us, and we are really glad to have them. We hope they work for you too. Pat and Nancy are into geocaching. They have found over 12,000 caches. What a hobby; it sounds like great fun. As we sat at the table they showed us several caches within walking distance of the restaurant. This coming weekend there will be a geocaching Mega Gathering and people will be there to teach us how to do it. Sounds like fun. I think we will give it a try. 
We also met up with Brad and Teresa Dighton from Rapid City SD. We met them when we were workcamping at Hart Ranch and it was fun to catch up on all the happenings there. It is a wonderful resort close to Mount Rushmore, annd we think it is one of the most beautiful parks in the country. If you are headed to SD check it out. It is a membership park but they have a 2 night 3 day stay for $40.00 to introduce you to Hart Ranch.
On Sat we met up with Ann McKinnell and Ray Burr. These two are really living the dream. She is a  photographer and he is a blogger. They are fairly young for full time RV'er, but they are have a fantastic time taking photo's and Ann has written several books about taking the perfect photo's and she also recommends and evaluates the kind of camera to use. She does offer several online classes too, to help you become a better photographer.
Then on Wednesday. we met up with Nick and Terry Russel of The Gypsy Journal.  They are such great fun to be with. We had dinner at Applebee's and then went to their rig to interview them for the podcast. Unfortunately I kept getting the giggles and by the time we finally got started John didn't hit the  record button on the recorder. Oh well, it will just give us a chance to interview them again, maybe this week, but spending time with Nick and Terry is just fun and they are so encouraging, he always gives us some tidbits of advice and he is just full of information. 
You know, we think this is one of the best parts of RVing, meeting up with old friends and listeners. Everyone of you has a story to tell, and we just love to hear them. So, if we are anywhere near where you are, or somewhere we could meet in between, lets get together and talk over some food.

Happy Camping

Our Yuma home for the winter

 

This lot is just across the street from us.

 Here we are in our part of the lot.

We used our whole lumber yard to get level.

This is a typical unimproved lot except for the front gates.

You can probably have this lot for $62,500

Some folks have built some very nice houses here.

This is a pretty typical lot with 2 hook-up spaces with an added laundry shed.

This corner lot is priced at $72,500 but it will go for around $10k less.

As you can see, it's a little windy today.

This is some solar set-up

Looking up our street. There are many, many streets just like this out here in the foothills.

Pleasant Lake

Here we are in Bradenton FL at

 

Pleasant Lake is a carefree resort. They have about 59 resorts all around the country and we have found them to be really nice.

This beautiful lake is the reason this is called Pleasant Lake.

Petanque field. What is this? I really don't know but its a game the Canadians play.

One side of the lake has the park models right on the lake with piers belonging to the residents.

Horseshoes is a must at any park.

Shuffleboard right next to the laundry and bathhouse.

Beautiful laundry with lots of washers and dryers. Plus great folding tables and iron and ironing boards.

Lots of birds visit the lake this one is anhinga.

I'm telling you people are so creative. This park model owner has a railroad in his side yard. 

Want to sit and relax around the lake. Chairs are provided.

More birds

Isn't this just the perfect spot to relax and enjoy the view.

 

Park layout, as you can see the lake is big. 

Some of the activities posted.

Just one of the side streets.

This is the first time I have see a park model with a place to store your RV right next to you. I know there are other places that have this kind of layout but the are usually a stick and bricks kind of place.


This park is located off of I-75 at exit 217. We will be here until the day after Christmas and then we head to Arizona for the rest of the winter.
We are having a great time with our son and his fiancee and of course all the great thing to do and see here on the gulf coast of Florida.