We were very lost, Helen (our GPS) was saying go one way, but I was sure we could go another way....

I think my mind is still in that "new baby fog".  It takes a good year for it to clear.  So, that is my excuse for why I got us on the wrong road leaving Lost Dutchman State Park. 

I had studied the map quite a bit before we left the campground that morning.  I even drew a small map on a sheet of paper for quick reference.  We try to go on back roads instead of the free way as much as possible.  We were leaving Lost Dutchman State Park and heading to either Picacho Peak State Park or Gilbert Ray County Campground near Tucson.  Both are first come first serve, no reservations. So, we figured we would call Gilbert Ray Campground when we got near Picacho Peak.  If Gilbert Ray had openings, we would continue on to there.  If not, we would stay at Picacho Peak.  We were wanting to go to the Sonoran Desert Museum and Saguaro National Park.  It is much easier if we can camp close to where we want to sight see.  It can get very long for the little children to be in the van a lot.

We decided to take 60 East out of Apache Jct then head south on 79 at Florence Jct.  That all went well and we continued south.  In my mind, we were supposed to stay on 79 until it hit I-10.  Well, my tired mind failed to remember that we had to turn west on 287 which then turns into 87 which then turns into 387 to get to I-10.  It would take us out near Picacho Peak State Park in case we had to stay there and if not, we could head south on I-10 towards Tucson to go to Gilbert Ray campground.

So here we are driving down 79 when Shae gets on the walkie talkie and says, "Sheri, Helen (our GPS) says we need to turn right up here to get to Picacho Peak."

I reply, "No, I found a better way.  We just keep going straight and we'll run right into I-10."

"I don't think so.  I remember a short cut that we need to turn on.  I'm pretty sure Helen is right."

"I am pretty sure we need to just keep going.  But, I am driving and can't look at the map."

Shae answers, "The turn is right up here.  I think we should turn, but if you are sure, we'll go south."

I was pretty sure, but can't just look at the map and keep driving.  So, we decided to go my way.  Helen has gotten us in some pretty interesting situations.  We have learned to verify everything she says. 

We continued down 79 for a long ways.  Shae calls me on the walkie talkie a little concerned.  So, I had Hanna look at the map and lo and behold, we should have turned.  At this point, Shae began to get a little agitated.  I could hear it in his voice over the walkie talkie.  As we kept driving, he kept grilling me about what road we were on.  Hanna figured out where we were on the map.  We were going all the way into Tucson!!!!!  All we could see were these huge mountains in front of us.  Shae pulls the 42' 5th wheel behind him.  It is not easy to turn around...AT ALL!  Plus, we were headed straight for the mountains.  I was driving, had no where to pull over, could not look at the map, and had no idea if this road would lead us to some steep mountain pass.  Shae is extremely upset at this point.  Hanna is frantically looking at the map.  She finds Tangerine Blvd.  It will lead us straight to I-10.  If you have ever driven on this road, you know how bad it is.  There are so many dips in it.  Poor Gabriel started to get car sick from it.  I had to go potty so bad I could hardly move!  Shae was beyond upset.  It was bad.  I drove behind Shae at this point, just watching our camper with all of our belonging, tilt back and forth as it went up and down dip after dip.  I just didn't even want to look in the camper.  I knew everything was going to be everywhere!

I finally asked Shae to pull over so I could go potty.  He found a spot to park on the side of the road.  I could hardly get out I had to go so bad.  I walked carefully to the camper and went inside.  While I was in there, Gabriel puked all over the sliding door of our van.  What a mess.  Shae had calmed down by then.  I apologized and got back in the van.  I knew I had messed up. 

Once on the road, I called Gilbert Ray Campground to get directions from our new location.  The nice lady gave me the good news.  We were very close to the turn off for the campground.  We still had a ways to go, but my detour had not set us back at all.  Stress wise, I was really set back, but relieved that we were not way off the beaten track.  We had to drive over a bunch more dips before arriving at the campground.  We couldn't go over Gates Pass because our camper weighs too much, so we came in from the north.  It was such a relief to get there finally.  I sure was glad that trip was over!

(it is too late at night to edit the post...sorry if there are any grammar or spelling mistakes!)

Lost Dutchman State Park, AZ

We had a great time at Lost Dutchman State Park, southeast of Phoenix.  It has some nice, private sites but no hook ups.  We were very ready for some privacy and family time.  Doing volunteer work for 4 months, we needed a break.  This was a great place to do it.  Although, I learned that my hair can only go so many days without being washed before I go crazy! 

Our first day there, we saw a rattlesnake right on the edge of the main Discovery Trail.  I had been told the snakes were coming out now.  As soon as the weather warms, they stop hibernating and come out for their first meal.  Many people said that they are more aggressive and their venom is more potent when they first come out.  Whether that is actually true I do not know.  All I know is that I don't want to be near them either way! 

We enjoyed biking and walking on the roads around the camp.  After finding the snake, I kept off the trails for the most part.  The sunrises and sunsets are stunning over Phoenix and Superstition Mountain. 

I kept getting lost in Apache Junction!  I just could not get the roads there.  Of course, I always forgot the map and gps.  I would eventually find my way to where I wanted to go, though.  One day, we were coming back from further east of town.  I need to get back to Lost Dutchman.  I took a wrong turn at a stop light.  I was on the phone with my mom when I said, "Mom, I am on the wrong side of the mountain!!  I knew I needed to on the left side of the "Flat Iron".  We continued down and around on a road in the desert.  I seemed to be heading in the direction I wanted?!  It came to a T, so I went right.  As I continued, it turned into a dirt road.

I started to get a little nervous at this point.  Our big, 15 passenger van is not the easiest to do a Y turn with or back up a long ways, so I was concerned at how this road would turn out.  Sometimes in Arizona, there are roads with huge washes in them.  My van is not 4 wheel drive, AT ALL  (although Shae acts like it is sometimes!)

When I saw this sign I was ready to turn around.  Cody told me to wait and ran ahead to see what the road was like.  He told me we could handle it, so I continued on.

It turned out ok and we even saw a few coyotes.

We did eventually find our way back to the campground, the long way.  It was one of those adventures we'll never forget and don't care to repeat.

The guys climbed to the top of the "Flat Iron".  It was a good hike
with gorgeous views.

We made a knight's armor for Gabriel. He wore it to the
Renaissance Festival.  He and Naomi rode their
bikes around the campground and he
pretended to do a jousting competition.

Since we didn't have full hookups, Cody pulled the poop tank to the dump station,
which didn't go so well.
To hear the entire story go to our online magazine for his article.

There was a great blacksmith's shop down the road.  

Camping with no electric, water, or sewer proves to be difficult

I have to make this one short.  I only have 30 minutes left on my laptops battery. 

We are at a campground that is $15 a night with no hookups! 

It does have a bath house and nice trails, though. 

The quiet hours start at 9pm and go until 8am.  That means no generator. 

Now, for those of us who full time, we don't sit by the fire every night of the week, even though we did tonight.  We sit inside and sometimes watch tv and play until bedtime.  I always tell people this is our home, it just has wheels!  So, not having a generator to run this laptop makes my work time much shorter at night. 

All the wee ones are in bed, and all of the big ones are too!  Just me, by myself, trying to get some writing done.

I guess maybe if we got some solar panels it would help, they are just so expensive.  We did buy a bigger battery for our compartment the other day.  That will help to keep the furnace running at night.  We do have propane heat, we just need some electricity to run the fan on it!  Then, the other night our old battery was almost dead and our refrigerator started clicking.  Come to find out, (I'm sure my husband already new this, just not me) that our fridge has to have electric to keep the pilot light on.  So, we need to find a way to have more electricity for these instances.  Now if we stayed in the National Forest or somewhere where we could run our generator at night when it is cold so we have heat, it would not be a big deal.  We are just in a park that has quiet hours.

Well, sorry so short.  The battery is getting lower.  I guess I will get out pen and paper and work on my book.  I am hoping to have it done by the end of May.  It is on our trip, how to do it, stories, and misc. items.

Have a great night.  Oh, one last thought, we are out of water, too!  Good times!!!