Disclaimer: This post contains a lot of photographs!
Mark and I left San Diego – and our last (short) house sit – on February 1st. It’s been quite the 9-week adventure! The first month, we focused on work and staying warm in Southern California. Both with mixed results. Early March, we dipped into Mexico for a few days, after biking and hiking in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument (Southern Arizona), which I hope to post a photo gallery of this Saturday.
Organ pipe and saguaro cacti
By then, our list of chores had grown out of proportion. We chose Phoenix as the city to take care of laundry, a van problem, shopping, collecting packages, and catching up on internet chores. Our attractive boondocking spot on BLM land north of Phoenix offered views and hiking trails. (To enlarge photos and read captions, click on the images – or hover over them.)
One of the reasons we picked this town over Tucson is because of a blogging friend I’ve been looking forward to meeting for years. Her name is Ingrid. She blogs about her unusual lifestyle and posts her amazing photos on Live, Laugh, RV. Yes, she is a fellow RVer and has a wealth of information about the area.
Mark and I had a wonderful evening with Ingrid and husband Al. The following morning, our personal tour guide brought us to Spur Cross Ranch, where we followed a combination of trails, adding up to a decent and varied six-mile hike. The desert scenery, with an abundance of saguaro cacti and emerging wildflowers, was beautiful. You can read Ingrid’s account of our walk here.
It was finally starting to warm up when we reached Lake Havasu. Mark and I attempted to hike through a slot canyon, but it was filled with rainwater so we abandoned that idea. Instead, we managed to climb to the top of the canyon and picked up a breezy rim trail that brought us to the edge of the lake. Another decent 7-mile hike with interesting views.
With spring break in full swing, the town was a madhouse. Yet, we wanted to check out London Bridge, which – really – came from London. It was built in the 1830s and formerly spanned the River Thames. In 1968, the bridge was brought to Lake Havasu City, brick by brick, and rebuilt by American tycoon and “businessman with a vision” Robert McCulloch. Once London Bridge was in place, the Colorado River was diverted to go under it!
Ever since I saw the lighthouses surrounding Lake Havasu on Ingrid’s blog, I’ve been wanting to check them out. In addition to the ones we saw on our short ferry ride, we spotted a couple of less-than-life-size replicas during our walk around Bridgewater Channel, where a non-stop parade of motorboats drove by or joined the masses of moored ones. Every single one of them blared a different kind of music that refused to agree with our ears. Fascinating, yet overpowering.
We met up with another blogger friend and her husband. I’ve been following Duwan and Greg’s blog – Make Like an Apeman, named after a song by The Kinks – for a while, as they have so much in common with the two of us. They used to own and live on a sailboat, they house and pet sit over the summer, and they travel North America in a van. Like us, they’ve been full-time nomads for many years.
As a matter of fact, we got along so well, that all of us moved to Lake Mohave in Nevada for a few days during a cold front, waiting for the weather to warm up. Mark and I had grand plans to head to Northern Arizona, where it was still in the low fifties during the day and freezing at night. Our friends were heading to California, so the spot we picked was on their way. Like us, Duwan and Greg are experts in boondocking, aka not spending a dime for camping in the US. ????
Duwan does a much better job recounting our meeting and activities (with beautiful photos) here.
The last week of March, as spring flowers started to pop up along Route 66, we headed east, stopping at the old mining town of Oakman. Seeing the wild donkeys stroll through its streets had been another one of those moments I hoped to experience. The town was extremely touristy, but it was a nice stop.
Here are some more Route 66 snapshots:
Jerome, another old mining town, surprised us with its charm and funky vibe. We enjoyed walking around the cozy, hilly downtown. One of our main destinations in Arizona, however, was the “red rock city” of Sedona.
After a bit of effort, we found the most amazing campsite in Coconino National Forest, 2.5 miles south of Palatki Heritage Park. Our free site had a wide-open view over the red surroundings and allowed us to walk to the cliff dwellings. Since we loved it there so much, we stayed a few days and used our bikes to reach one of the hikes we wanted to do. Sedona deserves its own post, so I’ll get to that one of these weeks.
And just as it was reaching a balmy 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21C) in that part of the state, we felt the urge to head north. With a house sit coming up, we were running out of time to do the “real” highlights, which we hoped to find near Page and in Navajo Nation. Flagstaff was freezing cold, and snow along the trails became part of our daily sightings. But, when we reached our final destinations, our timing was impeccable in more than one way. Those stories and photos will have to wait until later as well…
Right now, Mark and I are indulging in luxury, convenience, and animal love! Our showers are free-running and wonderful, the kitchen big and well-equipped, the internet fast and reliable, the electricity unlimited, and the amount of space is fantastic. We each have our own office. And, we have three big Labradors to walk, feed, and cuddle during this current five-week (repeat) house sit in Albuquerque, NM.
Our three furry companions for five weeks – Gunner (black) is hiding in the shade
Life is good – whether it’s on the road or in a comfortable home. One wonders which is a break from which? It doesn’t matter, as there is no “normal” for us. A variety of lifestyles with fluctuating levels of challenges keeps us alert, entertained, and happy.
Speaking of challenges on the road, we are one of ten van lifers who are featured in an article about van life disasters on the website The Wayward Home. You can read that collection of experiences here.
Our route (west to east) in Arizona – spring 2019
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April 10, 2019 at 16:04
Hi, Liesbet – I am so glad that you got to meet Ingrid. I thoroughly enjoy her posts.
I look forward to the photo gallery of your shots from Mexico and Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in Southern Arizona. See you there!!
April 11, 2019 at 14:44
Yes, it was nice to finally meet Ingrid. I’m glad to learn that you two are connected. Ingrid and I talked about how much fun it is to meet fellow bloggers and how she learned about you from our initial meet-up in the desert, with Kathy and Janis. 🙂 I have so many photos and stories from March that it will be difficult to pick favorites…
April 10, 2019 at 16:44
A really interesting post, Liesbet. I really enjoy seeing the photos. No disclaimer necessary. I also like how you can hover over them for a description. Interesting on the London Bridge. First time I have heard about the saguaros. Really impressive that they can grow very tall. I would be curious to see the lighthouses in real life. I like how you discussed living on the road and in a comfortable home. You are right, Liesbet, having it both ways sounds like the best of both worlds. Thanks for sharing.
April 11, 2019 at 14:48
Hi Erica! I’m glad you like my abundance of photos. The saguaro cactus is the symbol of Arizona, something I didn’t know until recently. Growing up and seeing simplified saguaros in cartoons, I always thought about Mexico. One of the things I learned about them is that they only start growing “arms” when they’re 90 years old. And those arms are extremely heavy! I’ve wondered since why none of them fall over from their own weight!
We love our two worlds, merged into one lifestyle! 🙂
April 10, 2019 at 17:46
Hi Liesbet – Very nice recap of your time in AZ and photos with plenty of clear blue skies. Hope your time in NM is equally nice or better. I look forward to the photo gallery.
April 11, 2019 at 14:51
Thank you for visiting and commenting, Natalie. Once mid-March rolled around, the skies generally showed more blue than grey. We still experienced cold and grey skies, but if we couldn’t wait around for better weather, I tried not to care. Those photos are not so great, however.
Our time in New Mexico will be very different. 🙂
April 10, 2019 at 18:33
Hi Liesbet, wow what an array of sights you two have experienced of late. The Happy Hour or meals shared with other motorhomers is always a pleasure when travelling! Enjoyed all the photos and a reminder of good times on the road, though obviously not in America just downunder 🙂
April 11, 2019 at 14:56
Hi Suz! It’s been an active and fascinating month for sure. I’m glad my post brought back pleasant memories of your motorhome days. Unlike house sitting, which is quite isolating and non-social for us, traveling in our own vehicle provides plenty of social encounters. And, we’ve lucked out crossing roads with some like-minded peers.
April 10, 2019 at 19:53
I feel like I’m camping right with you. Thanks for showing me parts of Arizona I’ve never visited.
April 11, 2019 at 14:57
Hi Steven! Thanks for coming along for the ride. This was the first time Mark and I explored Arizona in depth and it didn’t disappoint!
April 11, 2019 at 03:10
Fantastic photos, Liesbet! Of course, I was drooling over the nachos! 🙂 I love cheese. The mining town looks so cool. I would have enjoyed that tour. Safe travels to you and Mark!
April 11, 2019 at 15:09
The nachos are what stood out most in this post, huh, Jill! Interesting… 🙂 The mining towns we visited in California and Arizona over the years are all quite charming. Yet, they’re quick stops. Unless you find a house sit in one. I’m saying that, because I just saw one come up in Southern New Mexico. No more travels until mid-May.
April 11, 2019 at 16:48
LOL! What can I say…I love cheese! 🙂 Rest up!
April 13, 2019 at 11:02
🙂
April 11, 2019 at 14:22
I’m glad you had an enjoyable visit meandering around AZ. It was fun meeting up with you two and I have no doubt we’ll bump into each other again. Great post!
April 11, 2019 at 15:12
Thanks for all the blogs and recommendations, Ingrid, especially the Lake Powell area. We were still surprised about how much there is to see and do there and Vermilion Cliffs NM was a breathtaking experience! No need to find the “new wave”. 🙂 Can’t wait to go back mid-May.
April 11, 2019 at 14:31
Oh, that all looks wonderful! I think we spent one night each in Phoenix and Flagstaff and a couple in Sedona, so I recognise some of the sights. It’s never long enough though …
April 11, 2019 at 15:22
You and John are experts in finding the highlights of this country, Anabel. You’ve visited some amazing – probably the most amazing – sites in the Southwest. I hear you about time constraints when it comes to holidays (not that I remember any – holidays that it :-)), but there are certainly perks about staying in hotels and B&B’s. 🙂
April 11, 2019 at 22:50
Beautiful!
April 13, 2019 at 11:02
Thanks, Janet!
April 11, 2019 at 23:47
Liesbet this looks like a glorious time! Those cacti are wonderful. So tall and regal. We saw some that might be similar when we were in the desert of the Northern part of Argentina ~ I wonder if it is the same type of cacti? I particularly like the photo where you can see the size comparison of a human to the cacti. It is quite incredible!
I do love bridges! (my father is an engineer and I am my father’s daughter) and lighthouses, so it is fun to see these interesting ones that you guys came across. Seems pretty crazy that the bridge came from London brick by brick. Wow, what a story. Not exactly environmentally friendly approach haha.
But I think my favorite has to be the red cliffs and the dwellings. So lovely!!
interesting your comment re home and being on the road.. it is a topic we address a lot and also love the combination of different types of lives, alternating from one to another… Never gets boring!!
Sounds like your current house sit is an exceptional one. ENJOY. Looking forward to hearing more.
Peta
April 13, 2019 at 11:14
Hi Peta,
Saguaro cacti only grow in the Sonoran Desert, which is located in Southern Arizona, Northern Mexico, and a bit in Southern California. We’ve also seen similar cacti elsewhere (in Bonaire for example), but they must be different species.
We were quite surprised to discover the story behind London Bridge upon arrival, as it all looked like a tourist trap – you know, a shopping area with fake facades, funky gates, fountains, and such. Reading the history and watching a movie at the visitor center gave us more appreciation. And, you’re right about the environmental impact!
If you like cliff dwellings, you and Ben should definitely visit the Four Corners area in the US one day, if you haven’t before. Mesa Verde National Park is incredible and there are plenty of smaller parks where you can visit these structures as well, which we realized during our time in Arizona. Navajo National Monument is one of those places – off the beaten path – where you can get up close on a four-hour tour. We haven’t done that. Yet.
You guys seem to have found a pretty good balance between home life and travel. I can’t believe you’re leaving Sri Lanka already again, though. It appears like you just got home. 🙂 I’d love to have a conversation with you one day about the “perfect balance” in regards to travel….
April 12, 2019 at 02:33
A beautiful time all round Liesbet, I didn’t know they rebuild London Bridge and diverted the Colorado river to flow under it! I especially love your image of Lake Havasu and look forward to seeing more of Sedona too ???? Happy house and dog sitting and please give the three labs a big pat from us all ???????????? xxx
April 13, 2019 at 11:17
Isn’t the London Bridge story an interesting and intriguing one? Apparently, this US business man won a bid to buy the bridge while in London for work and that’s what he did with it. 🙂 Sedona is a special and beautiful place, Xenia. Unfortunately, we hit it smack in the middle of spring break, so it was quite overrun! The Labs send puppy love back to all of you across the ocean.
April 12, 2019 at 14:21
Your pictures are beautiful, so no need for disclaimer. Your life is so interesting, I love how you have found a great balance between the bricks and mortar home and your home on wheels. The US has so many fabulous places to explore with an RV. One day we have to do a road trip there ????
April 13, 2019 at 11:22
H Gilda! Thanks for the compliments. I have such a tough time deciding which photos to add to a post. Knowing that this is just a small collection each time, it tells you how many photos I actually take and weed through. 🙂
I think you guys will thoroughly enjoy a road trip (by camper) in the US Southwest. The scenery is truly spectacular (and I am spoiled :-)). I recently was contacted by a friend from the UK, who has a similar van than yours (but painted white with black cow blotches – keep an eye out for it). He suggested we’d do a van swap in 2020. Our Zesty is a tad complicated, old, and “fragile” for that, but the idea is not a bad one…
April 14, 2019 at 01:48
Van swapping is a great idea, particularly if you find a van similar and familiar to yours 🙂
April 15, 2019 at 20:32
I’m sure that would help! 🙂
April 12, 2019 at 14:49
I had a great journey with you here through your photos and commentary. And the ending, with the three dogs and long-running showers. 🙂 All the while enjoying each moment, together, in a roaming life. Quite inspiring! Now, I need to get your copy of Twin Desires to you- congrats on winning. So fun realizing that the person with the “steamiest” comment should win. Please e-mail me at [email protected]. And let me know if you prefer e-book or paperback. <3
April 13, 2019 at 11:26
Hi Pam! I’m glad you enjoyed my post about our Arizona journey. We can’t wait to go back, but we urgently needed some “settled” time to work, take care of Zesty, and… read. I’m looking forward to reading Twin Desires (whenever I find extra time, since I got a little (proof)reading list going already) and still can’t believe I won the first prize. That never happens. Thank you so much!!
April 13, 2019 at 10:01
What a great little interlude in Arizona! Those saguaros look great, and I’m sure you enjoyed the nice weather you’d been looking for. Enjoy your house stay and good luck getting some book and other work done there. (P.S. The dogs are so sweet!)
April 13, 2019 at 11:24
Hi Lexie! I see your appreciation for (most of) our weather… I’m looking forward to reading your blog this weekend. The dogs are a handful, but they are very sweet! Thanks for the encouragement in regards to getting some memoir work done. I’m on the right track now and managed to edit a bit last week, after we got settled and I did some other (paid) work. 🙂
April 14, 2019 at 17:57
I bet you had a blast with Ingrid and Al! She is a fab photographer and I learned a few things! Isn’t it so much fun to meet up with other bloggers? You really live the life, Liesbet and you have the stories and wonderful images to prove it! Your experiences really make me wonder what our life will be like when we can fully retire in 7 years (seems like a long way away).
April 15, 2019 at 20:52
It is fun to meet up with bloggers, Terri. And, I’m so glad that this lifestyle allows us to do so everywhere! Plus, it’s cool that you met Al and Ingrid as well. Now we can talk to each other about each other. 🙂
You and Hans will enjoy being retired! Especially if you set out long-term in your rig. The freedom, the experiences, the photo opportunities, the time to wait out bad weather. And, all that without worrying about finding internet and making money… our “tiny” obstacles in “living the life”. 🙂
April 15, 2019 at 08:57
It was great to meet you and Mark. It was a good time! Now I really want to pet a donkey! Enjoy all that hot water! Hopefully we will see you soon.
April 15, 2019 at 21:02
That hot water is waiting here for you! 🙂 You know, I wonder where I filed those nice photos you sent me. On hindsight, I should have put more pics up from the time we hung out. Or, split my blogs up even more. But then I still wouldn’t be caught up by the time we leave here and hit the road again. Sigh!
April 15, 2019 at 15:45
Wow, congrats on being dubbed a Van LIfer and getting mentioned! I love your photos of the beautiful southwest and I was delighted to read you visited that small ghost town of Jerome. Enjoy NM, it’s on my bucket list and my dear blogging friend Colleen will be moving to Albuquerque end of month, so I think I’ll actually get there some day! 🙂
April 15, 2019 at 21:16
I think it’s finally time for you to visit ghost towns in Arizona and explore New Mexico. Especially the ancient puebloan ruins in this state are fantastic. Actually, if you hop on over to Albuquerque before May 10th, not only will you be able to see Colleen, but you can meet me as well. 🙂 If not, we will have to swing by Toronto this summer.
April 16, 2019 at 10:18
You’re a doll Liesbet. Believe me, you wouldn’t have to twist my arm to come, if I could I’d be there ASAP, but it will have to wait. And when I do get there, you can be sure I will be checking out your travels and where you’ll be. You always tend to hang around the west and southwest, my favorite neck of the US 🙂
April 17, 2019 at 15:17
As a matter of fact, we are leaving the Southwest the end of spring, Debby. Hence my comment about maybe swinging by in Toronto this summer. 🙂
April 18, 2019 at 12:29
What great photos – I love the saguaros! We were in Tucson a few years ago and can’t wait to go back to see all the things we missed the first time around.
April 19, 2019 at 21:08
Arizona was more charming than we thought. I think the biggest surprise was the higher elevations and the fact that we were still cold in April, despite our constant search for warm weather. I think we have learned that the only comfortable place for us in the US during winter will be Florida. Kind of like Vancouver Island being the warmest spot in Canada. 🙂