Day 39: 199 Miles
Starting location: City of Rocks, Faywood, New Mexico – 45 degrees
Ending location: Bonita Canyon Campground, Chiricahua National Monument, Arizona – 35 degrees
Major Stops: Propane and dump – Deming New Mexico
Weather: Cloudy, rainy and yes, believe it or not, snowing!Day 40: 0 Miles
Hikes: Echo Canyon Loop (4.6 miles)Day 41: 127 Miles
Starting location: Bonita Canyon Campground, Chiricahua National Monument, Arizona – 22 degrees
Ending location: Snyder Hill BLM Land, Tucson, Arizona – 60 degrees
Major Stops: Groceries, Willcox, Arizona
Weather: Sunny
Leaving City of Rocks we drove the 20 or so miles to Deming where we filled up with propane and dumped our tanks (for free!) at the Valero. Luckily we found water at the campground and had filled the water tanks the night before. So, all tanks were exactly the way I like them.
Tanks and Limitations
- Water (18 gallons) – F
- Propane (6 gallons) – F
- Black Tank (11 gallons) – E
- Gray Tank (15 gallons)- E
Now, I have talked a lot about propane, but that is really not the big limitation in Clarice. That has been more a learning curve on how much propane is really in the tank and the way it measures. I’m never even put 3 gallons in when I’ve filled. I’ve learned that propane tanks can only be filled to 80%. So, that’s 4.8 gallons to be full. My fills have all been in the 2.2-2.6 gallon range. So, I have never really been in much risk of running out. However, since we’ve been in freezing weather, I’ve just been very cautious to keep heat in the rig and eliminate risk of freezing something.
Looking at tank size you would think the black tank would be the limitation. But, it is actually the fresh water which has made me a water miser! Once I learned to use a spray bottle to rinse dishes and brush teeth, I almost put no water into the gray tank unless I shower in the van. Which I do from time to time, and usually just before I need to dump the black tank as the gray tank rinses out the hose at the end of the dump.
I’ve decided, we consume 1/3 of the water tank (water (human and dog), coffee, oatmeal, etc) and we use 1/3 to flush the toilet. I refill when we hit 1/3 tank and that is usually every 4 days or so. I can go a couple weeks on the black tank and probably almost indefinitely on the gray tank if I shower out of the rig. Note: I only use the rig to go to the bathroom. I love having my own permanent and CLEAN bathroom on the road!
Chiricahua National Monument
The Apache’s who lived here starting in the 1400’s called this isolated mountain range the “Land Of Standing Rocks.” However, after being in perpetual war with the emigrants and miners for many years, they surrendered and were relocated to New Mexico and Oklahoma in 1886. In order to preserve and protect the pinnacles, the area was designated as a national monument in 1924.
Hiking Echo Canyon Loop
Next morning, we started out early to get a parking spot at the trailhead, which was at the top of a mountain. I was unable to stop for a picture, but we drove over very icy roads.
We took the advice of the trail guide and hiked counter-clockwise. It is very steep going down, but much more gradual coming back up when you hike in that direction. As we went down the mountain the snow gradually disappeared.
The hike was wonderful, and I really wanted to do another hike at Bonita Canyon. Unfortunately, it was just very cold and the high next day would be 34 degrees for a high. Aside from this, Dottie could not hike with me except on just a few non-descript trails; and, frankly I was tired of worrying about freezing the rig and doing damage. So we left a day early and headed towards our next campground where it was warmer. We had no campground booked and all the campgrounds are very difficult to book in the area as they are full of snowbirds.
First Boondocking Experience
We drove up to the campground where we would be the next night since they had first come first serve sites, but you had to be there when they opened to snag one. So, that was a no go.
Since I had heard that Campendium was a really good app to locate boondocking sites, I pulled that out and started to look nearby. Lo and behold, there were two BLM (Bureau of Land Management) areas where you could boondock. For those unfamiliar, boondocking means camping for free in an area that is not really a campground. You can boondock at Walmarts, Cabelas and Cracker Barrels. Additionally, BLM lands are one of the best options in the west (this is also known as dispersed camping). BLM land is used by the ranchers to free graze their cattle, so you might have a cow pie or two, or even some cows in the vicinity. That was not the case in these two sites.
The first site we went to was a parking lot of wall to wall RV’s right next to a highway. No thanks. I’ll take the Walmart. But, here is the site we found at the second location and were we spent our first night of boondocking!
Kangaroo Rats vs Pack Rats
I had been reading about these little amazing creatures called Kangaroo Rats. They literally never drink water. They get all the water they need from their seeds they eat. I wanted to see one, so I was pretty excited when I got this picture the next day.
I’m jumping ahead of our storyline just slightly, but wanted to link this picture to the story.
When we got to the next campground, I wondered why many vehicles had their hoods up and lights under their rigs at night. So, I asked one of the people with their hoods up; and, the man proceeded to spit out the words, “Pack Rats”! He elaborated, that they get into your vehicle looking for dark spaces and wreak havoc on the wiring systems. It can cost thousands of dollars. Tucson has a particularly bad problem with them right now.
I confess to having believed that pack rats was a term we used about humans. I had no idea there were such things in life. My picture above is of a pack rat!
Apparently, you will almost never see a Kangaroo Rat as they are completely nocturnal. Handy if you don’t drink any water, I suppose. Here is what one looks like, and I do think they are quite cute!
Karen finally catching up! Ahhh your photos and that smile on your face bring me joy! Be safe and keep up the beautiful writing! Miss you!
Ah, Thanks, Deb! Hope you are enjoying your new found freedom!
Your pictures are awesome! It looks like you’re having great adventures!
Thanks, Pat! I am having a fabulous time!
Hi Karen – Your hikes look absolutely awesome. The picture in between the rock crevices was spectacular! Looks like you’re having fun and learning how to manage the RV.
Thanks, Sue! I have really been enjoying the hiking. Glad you are liking the pictures.
The RV is going well so far. 🙂 Hoping it continues to treat me well.
Hi Karen! I’m loving your stories and your photography makes me feel like I’m there. Amazing!! Also, the blue sunny skies are welcome sight!
Thanks, Ellen! Everytime I see an Airstream I look to see if you have joined me! It has been beautiful here, but I have to say the dust is more overwhelming then I expected. I was not aware it was this bad in the desert. I brought my Merrells and am glad I did. They are now my dust walking shoes instead of snow shoes!