Day 58: 17 miles
Starting location: Cholla Campground, Roosevelt Arizona – 60 degrees
Ending location: Schoolhouse Campground, Roosevelt Arizona – 72 degrees
Major Stops: Roosevelt Dam and Tonto National Monument Cliff Dwellings
Weather: SunnyDays 59: 59 miles
Starting location: Schoolhouse Campground, Roosevelt, Arizona – 60 degrees
Ending location: Picket Post Mountain boondock, Superior, Arizona – 38 degrees
Major Stops: Propane and gas
Weather: Cloudy, windy and very dark on the drive over the mountains!
Leaving Cholla Campground on the north end of the lake, we were heading 17 miles to Schoolhouse Campground for another 7 night stay on the Lake. There are two major stops along the route south, and since we would have some time to kill before checking into the new campground, we waited to stop at the sights until move day. The first stop is Roosevelt Dam.
The dam was built in 1905-1911. It was then renovated and expanded from 1989-1996. It is 357 feet high and 1,210 feet across. When we visited in 1974 you could walk out onto the dam. With security issues unfortunately, that is no longer possible. It’s all fenced off, which was a disappointment.
Tonto Cliff Dwellings
I almost did not go to Gila Cliff Dwellings as I thought we had visited as kids and it was a bit of a drive. I’m glad I went, because THESE are the cliff dwellings we visited as kids on the 1974 trip.
New Friends and Rodent Lessons at Schoolhouse
I had just set up my camp chair and was relaxing when a lady came over and introduced herself to me. Her name is Chris. After we chatted a while, her three other friends came over and introduced themselves. T cubed, I dubbed them. Tracy, Theresa and Tricia. They are lovely ladies, who were camping together for the last time this year, as Tricia is a traveling nurse and moving to Oregon for her next assignment. She had a brand new trailer and was on it’s maiden voyage to prepare for her move. I spent a lovely night by their campfire getting to know them.
I shared with them my packrat story and picture, and they quickly educated me that this was NOT a packrat. This is a Round Tailed Squirrel.
So, how can you tell? The almond eyes are the squirrel. Other defining features include hairless ears and claws on the rat. They both can have furry tails, so that’s not always a clue. Thank you, my new friends for the education on the rodents. Hope to see you on the trail again, soon!
Two birds I saw and my only pictures near Schoolhouse campground are below. And, another bird I saw but did not get a picture was a small flock of American White Pelicans! Yes, really, Pelicans!
Rodent Troubles!
I was sleeping my second night at Schoolhouse. A storm was brewing up north and would be sweeping down into the area late in the night and morning. I was located south of Payson and north of Globe in the picture. It was not suppose to snow where I was, but they were getting snow on both my exit routes.
I filled propane that morning, so I was ready for a dip in temperatures. However, at 1am, I heard unusual noises on my roof! The rodents were on top of Clarice! There are lots of tender little wires up there for solar panels, AC, max fan and antennas. I knocked hard on the roof and heard this little scamper, scamper sound as they somehow got off the roof. Maybe they used the ladder?
This was terribly upsetting, so, I got up, dressed, rolled up and put away the camp rug. Rousted Dottie from bed, prepared the rig and pulled up stakes leaving the campground. At first, I was going to just find a spot to boondock nearby; but, honestly, I was kind of bored of the area, and did not want to feel trapped by snow. So, we headed up and over the mountains in the middle of the night, fortunately ahead of the snow.
Back to Picket Post Mountain
We pulled into the boondocking spot at Picket Post Mountain that we had used on the way into Roosevelt area around 3am. Fortunately, the spot closest to the pull in was open so I did not have to drive around in the dark looking; and, we spent the rest of the night there.
I am sick of pack rat worries! So, I have changed up my whole route to Alaska over it. I’ll tell you more later…..as a reminder, here is Picketpost Mountain.
Your pictures of Roosevelt Lake are beautiful! What a pretty area!
Not good about those rodents! I hope you can figure that out. Best wishes on your travels!
Thanks, Sue! I agree that lake is beautiful!
I did not expect to learn so MUCH about rodents on this adventure! LOL, there is more to come in a couple of posts. Good stuff, not bad, thankfully!
Love the pictures and information.
Thanks, Janet! Hoping to swing your way next year. Will keep you posted! Will reach out if I do. Hugs!