How NOT to get out of Prescott, Arizona

For those who love Arizona, but can't handle the summer heat of the lower elevations, Prescott is a huge draw. At 5,400 feet, the summer high temperature averages 89 degrees – nearly 20 degrees less than in Phoenix. It's a town with an "Old West" presence, and there's ample camping opportunity, surrounded as it is by public lands where RVers can stay for low cost – even for free.

The drawback is access.

Like a lot of other "Old West" towns, Prescott is off the beaten path. The major North-South artery, Interstate 70, is miles to the east of Prescott, and it can take a bit of time to get to 70 to make your way south. And if your travel plans on leaving Prescott would take you south and west, well, going way east to turn around and go back west just has a way of grating one's teeth.

Yes, you can assuredly drive south out of Prescott. Arizona 89 runs downhill southwest out of Prescott – intersecting with Arizona 71 at the town of Congress. The 71 will take you on farther south and west, shooting you out toward the likes of Quartzsite, even Los Angeles. And it's a short hop, to boot. Trouble is, right in the middle of it is a thing called Yarnell Hill.

Loved by bold motorcyclists, and held in no small amount of regard (and perhaps disdain) by wise 18-wheeler drivers, Yarnell Hill is a bit of a legend. In four miles the elevation changes 2,500 feet, with up to six percent grades. But it's not the grades that make Yarnell so intimidating – it's the twists and turns of the highway – evocative of a cow's intestinal tract. Throw in a few rock overhangs, some mighty narrow lanes, some pretty serious drop-offs, and an occasional rockslide without warning, and Yarnell Hill rightly earns the title of Arizona's most dangerous drive.

We've "done" Yarnell with an RV a couple of times – both up, and the dreaded downside. It's one of those places that when you make it to the bottom, you'll practically want to get out and do a little ground-kissing. So it was that on our last adventure to Prescott (coming into town via Interstate 17 and the associated western run via Arizona 69) when it came time to leave, we were decidedly looking for an "alternate route" to Quartzsite.

Enter Google Maps. We knew there had to be an alternative, so we plugged in Prescott to Quartzsite, and immediately received the helpful suggestion of traveling down 89, through Yarnell. Pull on the little button, moving the route west eventually gave us the option of going north out of Prescott, then west to Skull Valley. But again, the route still took us to Congress – via Yarnell Hill. A little more tugging on the route gave us the option of traveling through a little burg called Hillside – "a populated place located in Yavapai County." Follow County Road 62 south out of Hillside, 20 miles south, and practically smack into Congress. And looking at the map, the road running into Hillside from the north is drawn the same as the one going out of town.

Ah, what fools us mortal RVers can be. Changing Google Maps default of "map" to "earth view" and then zooming in on earth view would have told us a lot in a minute. To our credit, however, one blogger describes the road between Hillside and Congress as "an easily traveled dirt road."

At the south end of Hillside we suddenly reached the end of the pavement. A sign warned, "Primitive road, use at your own risk." We'd driven plenty of dirt roads, and there was no rain in the forecast. Going back to Prescott could be done, but then we'd either face Yarnell Hill, or a long loop east to go west through Phoenix. "What kind of trouble could there be?" Cell signal strong – on we pushed.

And it was a beautiful start. The topography rolled gently up and down, and a few potholes there were to be avoided. Forget about traffic, we were alone with our thoughts. For the first few miles. Things got a little dicey when we happened upon a power line repair crew – narrow road, but we managed it. A few miles after them, a straggling part of the crew. A flatbed semi carrying very l-o-n-g poles idling beside the road. We pulled up behind, jumped out to ask the driver if perhaps he could pull just a little more to the right – and encountered the Mary Celeste of the Arizona outback. Nice truck, rumbling engine, but nobody home.

With the navigator hanging her head out the side window talking us through the very narrow squeek of dirt between the truck and the left side of the road falloff, we managed to gently nudge past the derelict semi. Somewhere down the line, we finally encountered the driver, who'd apparently got out to scout the road up ahead.

And the road up ahead was worth scouting, because before we could quite reach the half-way mark, the road suddenly got ugly. We'd been hustling along, dodging potholes at a respectable 20 or 25 miles per hour, when suddenly the rig began to shudder, vibrate, shake, and otherwise get completely uncontrollable. The pilot had all he could do to try and keep things from pounding off the roadway – the trailer was shoving the truck on down the "roadway." Washboard! Oh, washboard like we'd never experienced before!

The balance of the trip on CR 62 – Date Creek Road – was a slow motion nightmare. If we dared to get much above five miles per hour, steering control was almost non-existent. At five miles per hour or less, no amount of Super Polygrip would've kept fake teeth in one's mouth. It was simply a matter of taking the pounding and watching the numbers creep past on the GPS. Occasionally courteous locals would wave as they blasted past in pickup trucks, leaving rooster tails of dust to envelop the view, adding just one more treat to the already laughable situation.

Adding to the fun – we came over a rise to discover a wash at the bottom of the hill – not with running water, but with plenty of mud. There was no way out of this one – we just had to hit the accelerator and make a go for it – feeling the wheels slip as we held on for dear life and hoped we didn't run out of momentum before we ran out of mud.

We finally crawled back on the pavement near Congress. A stop and walk-around revealed no outside damage – other than the turning of the normally white front of the trailer an earthy brown from the mud bath. Inside was a different story. The lower kitchen cabinets, which had stuck with us through our trials of thousands of previous miles, gave up and regurgitated their contents onto the kitchen floor. Somehow, too, something had managed to jump up and turn on the kitchen faucet. With the water pump left "on," the pump diligently did its job and pumped the contents of the fresh water tank out of the faucet, into a dishpan, some down the drain, and the balance across the counter and onto the floor.

It took several days to get it all straightened out.

And now, next time we contemplate a trip to Prescott, maybe 15 minutes of white-knuckling down Yarnell Hill beats two hours of torture on Date Creek Road. 

Crooked consignment dealers who swindled RVers get their comeuppance

jj on wikipedia.org

Two crooked RV dealers who swindled Arizona residents in a consignment sale scheme will have a while to think about their victims – behind bars. Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced the owners of multiple Tucson RV consignment businesses will go to prison for their role in defrauding 24 victims out of $423,542. Lorenzo Caracciolo Sr. was sentenced to five years in prison and his son, Lorenzo Caracciolo Jr., was sentenced to two and a half years in prison.

“This is an appropriate and just sentence,” said Attorney General Mark Brnovich. “The victims suffered life-altering financial losses. Their testimony and cooperation helped ensure these scammers won’t be harming other Arizona families anytime soon.”

For more than three years, from January 2010 through October 2013, Lorenzo Caracciolo Sr. and Lorenzo Caracciolo Jr. used their RV consignment business to scam 24 victims out of thousands of dollars. Most of the victims are elderly. Their financial losses range from $3,400 to over $79,000 individually. The Caracciolo’s executed their fraud scheme by entering into an agreement to sell a used RV on consignment with the RV’s owner. The Cacacciolo’s would then tell the owner that the RV had sold for a lower purchase price than had been offered and would pocket the additional proceeds. Additionally, defendants would deposit the entire sale proceeds into a personal bank account, and never transfer any money from the completed sale to the owner. Defendants employed their scheme through three business entities, Canyon State RV, Kickin’ Kampers, and RV Coachworks.

On November 17, 2014, the Attorney General’s Office obtained State Grand Jury indictments charging the Caracciolo’s with 14 felony counts, including one count of Illegally Conducting an Enterprise, one count of Fraudulent Schemes and Artifices, six counts of Theft, and six counts of Forgery.

The defendants pleaded guilty on June 10, 2015. Lorenzo Caracciolo, Sr. pleaded guilty to Fraudulent Schemes and Artifices and Theft. Lorenzo Caracciolo, Jr. pleaded guilty to two counts of Theft.

On Monday, the Honorable Christopher Browning sentenced Lorenzo Caracciolo, Sr. to five years in prison followed by a seven year probation term upon his release from prison. Judge Browning sentenced Lorenzo Caracciolo, Jr. to two and a half years prison followed by a four year probation term upon his release from prison. In addition to the prison sentences, both defendants were ordered to pay more than $400,000 in restitution to their victims.

Snowbirds arriving early in Arizona

Snowbirds are arriving in Arizona two to four weeks ahead of schedule in what is shaping up to be a stronger 2014-2015 winter season.

“I’m getting them coming in two weeks to a month earlier and they are extending out longer at the other end (of the winter season),” said Sabrina Welborn, office manager for the 265-site Silverview RV Resort in Bullhead City. “The phone is ringing and I have a stack of emails to respond to to see who we can accommodate. We’re already at about 90 percent occupancy for January, February and March and we expect to be at 100 percent in those months.”

RV parks in the Phoenix area are seeing the same trend. “We are seeing people come in earlier and they are staying longer, which is good news for the local economy,” said Jim Mathew, operations supervisor for Pueblo El Mirage RV Resort in El Mirage. “The reservations came in a lot faster this year.”

“We’re already getting busy,” said Jan Venard, assistant manager of Phoenix Metro RV Park. “The season is starting earlier.”

 “We’ve even been having people arrive (for the winter) with no reservations,” said Eric Vargas of the 203-site Desert’s Edge RV Park in Phoenix.

While many Arizona RV parks are reporting an earlier than usual arrival of snowbirds, the numbers of snowbirds arriving at each park varies. Apache Palms RV Park in Tempe, for example, is reporting small numbers of early snowbird arrivals, as is Rincon Country RV Resort in Tucson.

RV park operators attribute the early influx of snowbirds to cooler weather up North and to the Farmer’s Almanac, which is forecasting a cold, hard winter in many areas up north. “Some of our guests tell me they have already had the snow hit,” said Welborn of Silverview RV Resort. “Some have also said they want to do the drive now and get out of it.”

 Jo Ann Mickelson, who co-owns and operates JH RV Park in Flagstaff, said her park, which closed for the winter on Saturday, has been unusually busy this month with Canadians heading south. “We’ve had a lot of Canadians already coming through,” said Mickelson. “We usually don’t have them at this time of year. We’re usually closed by the time they come through.”

Arizona fuel tax rumor goes viral -- here's the real story

A memo circulating among the full-time RVers group, Escapees, has gone viral, creating no end of confusion regarding Arizona diesel fuel taxes. The memo, picked up by at least one RV forum early October 14, would make it appear that motorhome owners who have a rig with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 26,000 pounds, or having three or more axles, must fuel at commercial truck islands, and pay a higher tax rate than other RVers. We contacted the Arizona Department of Transportation for clarification, and want to set the record straight.

What confuses the issue is the two-tier tax system the Grand Canyon State uses on diesel road fuel sales. If you stop at a diesel fuel pump at any station in Arizona, you'll find a warning sticker that suggests you can be subject to a $1,000 minimum fine if you improperly use the lower taxed (18 cents per gallon) diesel fuel intended for 'small trucks.' The sticker even mentions the 26,000 pound/3 or more axle "rule."

But there's a lot more in the details. We spoke with Arizona Department of Transportation Fuel Tax Manager, Chris Kent on Wednesday the 14th. Kent was able to dig through the finer points of the fuel tax law. Basically the whole issue hinges on two different state statutes. One (28-54320) speaks to "weight fees." The other, (28-5606) specifies what vehicles must pay the higher motor fuel tax. In a nutshell, the motor fuel tax statute says any, "use class motor vehicle" used on Arizona roadways must pay the higher tax. What makes a "use class motor vehicle"? The devil is in the details.

Of interest to RVers, particularly motorhome owners, is this simple exemption from what makes a "use class motor vehicle." First, for all RVers, provided your rig has a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,000 pounds or less and has but two axles, you're exempt from "use class," and hence, exempt from paying the higher tax rate on fuel.

For motorhomes, Arizona DOT's Kent pointed us to a 2004 agency policy memo, number 13.2.3. Boiled down, the policy says as long as a motorhome has at least four of the following items, it is exempt from "use class" (and higher fuel taxes). Those items include:

"A cooking facility with an on-board fuel source,
"A gas or electric refrigerator
"A toilet with exterior evacuation
"A heating or air-conditioning system with an on-board power or fuel source separate from the vehicle engine
"A portable water supply system that includes at least a sink, a faucet and a water tank with an exterior service supply connection
"A 110-125 volt electric power supply"

If you've got at least four of those things, even if your motorhome has a weight rating of more than 26,000 pounds and/or more than three axles, your rig is NOT a "use class" motor vehicle, and thus does NOT have to pay the higher fuel tax rate. One last detail: For your motorhome to meet the 'lower fuel tax use OK' test, it must be used for recreational purposes. If used for commercial purposes, once you hit over 26,000 pounds and/or more than two axles, you are stuck paying the higher tax rate.

Updated 10/15/14 to clarify commercial versus recreational use. 

Alamo State Parks sets aside campsites for long stays

Alamo Lake State Park has designated some campsites for Long Term Camping from now through March 31, 2015. Guests who wish to take advantage of stays of longer than two weeks are required to pay in full for the first two weeks of their stay along with the $5 reservation fee. The minimum length of stay for a long-term site is 28 nights (4 weeks). The maximum length of stay is 84 nights (12 weeks).

Nestled in the Bill Williams River Valley away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, the park is one of the best places to fish for bass in Arizona. The lake is surrounded by mountainous terrain speckled with brush, wildflowers and cacti making for a visually pleasing experience. The park has excellent wildlife viewing opportunities, and you may spot a bald or golden eagle.

For nature lovers, spring rains bring an abundance of wild flowers and the lake environment attracts a variety of wildlife year round, including waterfowl, foxes, coyotes, mule deer and wild burros. Stargazers enjoy the amazing views of the night sky with the nearest city lights some 40 miles away!

To reserve a long-term campsite, please call the Reservation Center at (520) 586-2283.

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Water is getting scarce: Build yourself a rainwater collector

Planning on doing a little desert boondocking this winter? Or are you RVing in one of the major drought areas and are having trouble finding a free source of water? It could get worse if the drought continues.

Read how Dave Ulmer built a rainwater collector for his motorhome, a system that he says can produce 100 gallons an hour during a good rainstorm. And all it takes is some simple fittings that you can find in the average hardware store.

Watch the short 68-second video to see how he did it.

Arizona snowbird takes home corpse

Vendors love Arizona snowbirds. They buy all sorts of treasures to take back home with them at the end of the season. But a Michigan man who snowbirds the Grand Canyon State may have the record for the strangest thing taken home: A corpse.

Ray Tomlinson, a 62-year-old man from Clinton Township, made an acquaintance with a 31-year-old homeless woman from New Jersey. Tomlinson helped the woman out, and saw a lot of her. When winter rolled around, Tomlinson and his mother headed to Arizona, the girl friend to Florida. This spring, as the weather changed, the two contacted each other. She came out to Arizona, and checked herself into a hospital in Tempe.

The first of June, Tomlinson and his mother were ready to head back to Michigan, and the so-far unidentified woman checked herself out of the hospital and joined Tomlinson and his mother in his mini-van for the trip back to Michigan. It was somewhere in Texas that Ray Tomlinson said he noticed a problem: His friend was slumped over in the seat, and cool to the touch. Authorities think she may have overdosed on prescription pain medications she'd taken at a stop in Flagstaff.

What do you do when you find your girlfriend has passed away and you're in a strange state? Go for help where everyone goes these days: To the Internet! Tomlinson used his smart phone to search the web and found information that lead him to believe he had 48 hours to get his friend to a medical examiner or to a morgue. In a combination of what Tomlinson calls, 'Because I care so much,' and concern that his rig might be impounded, he made the decision to drive on to Michigan.

Before Tomlinson, his mother, and their deceased passenger could make it to Michigan, authorities were already on to the situation. The hospital where the girl friend had been checked in, called on her cell phone to check up on her. Tomlinson answered the call, explained what had happened, and told the probably weirded-out staffer that he had no intention of taking their advice to stop, and kept on driving. By the time the group had hit Illinois, police were calling Tomlinson, asking him to stop. The group continued on clear to Tomlinson's home, whereupon authorities found the body of Ray Tomlinson's girl friend had already started to decompose.

Authorities say they don't have any intention to charge Ray Tomlinson in the case. They don't feel there's enough evidence to charge him with a crime.

Take safety with you when exploring the Southwest desert

Cold winters make the Desert Southwest a major drawing card for snowbirds. Who can resist putting down the snow shovel and the parka in exchange for some of the most intriguing back country imaginable – all of which can be explored in your shirt-sleeves in February?

Still, every year some of those desert wanderers don't come home. The desert is indeed intriguing, but it's also unforgiving. Get lost or have a breakdown in the desert and exposure can and does kill the unprepared. Here are some tips to help you stay safe if you go off-road and hit the desert trail.

File a "flight plan." Let someone know where you plan to go, and when you plan to be back. Put it in writing, including what you'll be driving, and give 'em a map. If you change your plans when on your route, let your contact person know. If you don't come back when you should, they can contact authorities to help.

Be prepared for trouble. Take plenty of water – at least a gallon per day, per person on your expedition. Take extra water, in case you get stuck, along with medications and a bit of food. If you do get stuck, don't think you can "ration" you water. Your body doesn't live on rationed water, drink what you need – that's why extra water is essential.

Sure you've got a cell-phone, but plenty of places are cell "dead zones." A CB radio might work, but the only sure-fire communications device is a satellite phone. Other electronic gear that can be helpful is a GPS unit – if you do break down, the GPS can pinpoint your exact location, allowing you to tell rescuers where to find you. Others care a personal locator beacon (PLB). The PLB, when activated, sends out an electronic cry for help – less expensive than a satellite phone, but certainly limited. Carry a flashlight and extra batteries.

Before you head out, get information on where you plan to go. Some desert roads will accommodate an automobile, but most terrain requires a vehicle with higher ground clearance. Even then, a two-wheel pickup can easily get hung up, and four-wheel drive rigs are probably your best bet. Even then, breakdowns occur, so make sure your rig is well maintained, and carry spares: Spare tire, extra oil, drive belts, gas, and coolant.

If push comes to shove and you do have a breakdown, stay with your vehicle. It will provide something easily seen from a distance (like from a search plane), it also gives shade – an essential from the heat. You can break off a mirror to signal with, burn the floor mats for a smoke signal. Be sure to put the hood up as a signal of distress. If you MUST leave the vehicle, leave a note in clear view of what direction you're heading.

When it gets hot, keep your mouth shut. Breathing through your nose, and not talking, helps to keep your bodily hydration in place. Stay off the ground – it's hot there, use the car seats for elevation. That'll also keep you up from where bugs and snakes hang out.

Wear sunglasses, lip gloss, and sun block creme. Keep your clothes on – if you keep covered up, you're less likely to dehydrate. If you have extra socks, change them, put the old ones out in the sun to "freshen," and then change them again. Does wonders for your mental condition.

Those most likely to come back from an unexpected adventure are those who prepared in advance for the unexpected.  Happy trails!

CaveFest celebrated at Kartchner Caverns February 8th, 9th

Mark February 8th and 9th of 2014 on your calendar. That is the weekend for celebrating CaveFest at Kartchner Caverns.

From 10 am to 4 pm you can learn about desert creatures with live animal displays (reptiles with Tom Miscione and birds with Liberty Wildlife), excite the kiddos with children’s activities & crafts, relive the old west mining days at the mining history & caving equipment display, plus learn about a Speleothem cave formation.

From 9 am - 5 pm you can explore CaveSim, an electronic cave simulator with 60 feet of crawling passage and realistic cave formations that are electronically sensed to give users feedback with videogame-type scoring. This caving experience is for beginner and experienced cavers ages 6 & up.

The gift shop will also be hosting a signing by children’s book author Conrad Storad. The $6.00 per vehicle entry fee includes activities and presentations (up to 4 adults, does not include Cave Tour Tickets). Visit Benson Area Chamber of Commerce at bensonchamberaz.com or camp at the park.

Winter Hours are in effect from November 1 through May 31. Gate hours 7 am – 10 pm, park hours 7 am – 6 pm, Discovery Center hours 8 am – 6 pm. The campgrounds are open year-round. The park is 9 miles south of Benson on Highway 90.

You can learn more about Cave Fest 2014 as well as other Kartchner Cavern activities on the Kartchner Caverns State Park website.

Take a hike at Lost Dutchman State Park

Lost Dutchman SP near Phoenix is now offering two moonlight hikes per month. There is a limit of 100 hikers per night, so those interested in joining are urged to call ahead to reserve space at (480) 982-4485.

This is a guided 2.5 mile hike on Jacob’s Crosscut Trail at the base of the mysterious Superstition Mountains. Hikers should dress appropriately and wear trail shoes or boots. They are urged to bring a flashlight in case of cloudy conditions (no headlamps).

Some parts of the trail are rocky and uneven with occasional steep grades (elevation gain: 120-feet). Participants should be in good health with no walking or night vision difficulties. The trail is not suitable for strollers or walkers. After the hike gather around the campfire for a marshmallow roast (marshmallows and sticks provided). All are welcome, but no pets for this outting. Parking is available in the Cholla Day Use Area.

Arizona nettles Chicago for tourists

Is it mean-spirited or just a great coincidence in timing? Illinois officials are probably smarting, while Arizona's tourism promoters are counting a coup.

photo: voices.suntimes.com

The bitterly cold weather that rambled through the Midwest has left a hefty price tag. When 15 degree polar air rolled into Illinois, the state wound up spending nearly $14 million picking up the pieces, when taking into account overtime pay for highway workers, the cost of salt for roads, and money to pay National Guard members to help care for stranded tourists and broken down snow plows.

And then there's that two-story tall billboard that Arizona put up in Chicago. On the billboard – a well-sculpted blonde female, aptly suited out in a red two-piece, inviting weary Chicagoans to "kick off their shoes," in Arizona. To add insult to sensuality, a pair of 400 pound flip-flop sandals rests on "prop" cars in the parking lot below the billboard.

There is something to it, although we can't say the locals are sitting around in bikinis. However, the Canadian snowbirds across the street are often seen sitting around outside their motorhome, wearing cutoffs and short-sleeve shirts.

Take a First Day Hike at an Arizona State Park on January 1st

Hike at an Arizona State Park on January 1st! Get outside, exercise, enjoy nature and welcome the New Year with friends and family during America’s State Parks First Day Hikes.

All 50 state park systems participate in this annual program and 14 Arizona State Parks will participate in this 3rd Annual First Day Hike Program! Details about hike locations, difficulty and length, terrain and tips regarding proper clothing are listed here.

In addition to the First Day Hikes there are a host of activities and events in January, a month that sees snowbirds flocking to the mild Arizona desert climate. Boat tours and bird walks are popular at Patagonia Lake SP, as is the First Saturdays Concert Series at Catalina SP (photo above left).

Learn how to make art from nature at Boyce Thompson Arboretum SP  an introduction to hiking in the Sonoran Desert at Lost Dutchman SP,  or watch an Old West reenactment at the Annual Gathering of the Gunfighters (photo left) at Yuma Territorial Prison SHP and many more. You can see the list of events on the Arizona State Parks website.

Cattail Cove State Park to offer long-term RV stays this season

Arizona's Cattail Cove State Park will block out 15 campsites from January 1 through April 30, 2014 for long-term stays in RVs. Alamo Lake State Park offers a similar program. The park is south of Lake Havasu City along the Colorado River.

Guests who wish to take advantage of long-term camping (longer than two weeks) must pay in full for the first two weeks of their stay, along with a $5 reservation fee.

All long-term reservations will be handled by a call center at (520) 586-2283. The call center will find a site that runs concurrently for the length of stay the guest requests and will collect the first two weeks plus the reservation fee and will block out duration of stay in two-week increments. The minimum length of stay for a long-term site will be 28 four weeks. Maximum length of stay will be 12 weeks.

Upon a guest's arrival, their first two weeks will have been paid in advance through the reservation process. After the first two weeks have ended, the guest will provide future payment in two-week increments on the last day of each two-week segment. Payments will be made by the customer at the contact station during regular business hours. If a guest decides to depart earlier than the date they originally agreed upon, the standard reservation cancellation policy will apply. All other policies and rules governing Camping will remain in effect. This is a pilot program subject to change.

BLM reveals fees for Quartzsite LTVA camping

As autumn begins to roll around, the beating hearts of snowbirds begin to take on a faster rhythm. If your travel plans mean pointing your nose toward the great Southwest, you may wonder: What's the scoop on camping in Quartzsite?

Years back, when we first started staying on the LTVAs (Long Term Visitor Areas) near Quartzsite, the permit fees for staying on over the season were just $50. But then that dreadful thing happens – the too much of a good thing syndrome. Prices started jumping, and pretty soon, it cost almost that much just to stay for a couple of weeks.

Happily, for the 2013 – 2014 season, the BLM has no plans to crank up permit fees. This year a season permit, good from September 15 through April 15 runs $180; a two-week permit will set you back $40. If you're not familiar with the "benefits" that come with the permit fees, here they are:

The LTVAs near Quartzsite are four large patches of desert land. Two of them, LaPosa West and LaPosa East are close to town, in fact, in walking distance of some of the most popular shows. Farther out, and filled with quiet, LaPosa South and Tyson Wash. All four areas have garbage dumpsters. Regardless of your choice of area, your permit also provides you with a place to take on fresh water and rid yourself of waste water.

The dump station is located a couple of miles "in" to the LaPosa South LTVA. You'll definitely need your permit; volunteers make sure only those with the sticker on their windshield get near the station. At high season (mid-December through the end of January) there can be long lines at the dump station. Best to come late in the afternoon if you don't want to stand in line. There is a "blue boy" dump station near the entrance of LaPosa South – lines there are a rarity, but there's no fresh water to rinse hoses and the smell can be, well, smelly.

Mechanics aside, what else does your permit buy you? Your choice of an RV site in the wide-open cactus-studded spaces. If you like rubbing elbows with other folks and get a kick out of watching what kind of rigs people travel in, by all means, park up front near any one of the entrance stations. If you're more of a solitary, wildlife viewing, peace and quiet loving sort, head way back in the area of your choice. We've found going "way back" in LaPosa South provides some of the most spectacular views and the least amount of "bugging." 

Permits go on sale, opening day, September 15. You can buy yours at any "open" entrance station (the flag will be run up the pole) and permits are good for any of the seven LTVAs in the Yuma region.

Two Arizona State Parks now offer long-term winter stays of up to 84 nights

Want to spend your winter at a beautiful place? Consider an Arizona State Park. Two parks are now accepting reservations for continuous stays of up to 84 days. This is a pilot program subject that may change down the road.

Alamo Lake State Parks will block 59 sites for Long Term Camping from October 1 through March 31. Cattail Cove State Park will offer the same long term opportunity from January 1 to April 30.

Guests who wish to take advantage of long-term camping (longer than two weeks) must pay in full for the first two weeks of their stay, along with the $5 reservation fee.

All long-term reservations will be handled by the parks' Call Center (520) 586-2283. The Call Center will find a site that runs concurrently for the length of stay the guest requests. The Call Center will collect the first two weeks plus the reservation fee and will block out duration of stay in two-week increments. The minimum length of stay for a long-term site will be 28 nights (four weeks). Maximum length of stay will be 84 nights (12 weeks).

Upon the guest arrival, a camper's first two weeks will have been paid in advance through the reservation process. After the first two weeks have ended, the guest will provide future payment in two-week increments on the last day of each two-week segment. Payments will be made by the customer at the contact station during regular business hours. If a guest decides to depart earlier than the date they originally agreed upon, the standard reservation cancellation policy will apply.

Tonto Natural Bridge a cool escape from Arizona summer heat

When it's sizzling in Phoenix and Tucson, it's a good time to escape to a cooler place.

Tonto Natural Bridge State Park, surrounded by a forest of pine trees, could be a good choice--not only for its cool, but for it's natural scenic views, including the iconic natural travertine bridge, believed to be the largest in the world.

The discovery of this hidden valley between Pine and Payson was discovered in 1877 by a prospector who was being chased by Apaches. He hid out for three days in a cave under the bridge until the Apaches left, then he did what any prospector would do and claimed squatter's rights.

Visitors can hike to the top of the bridge as well as below it, to enjoy the beauty of the arch and the two waterfalls that cascade over the edge.

Visit the Tonto Natural Bridge website for more information and to watch a video describing the park.

Summer Special: Free Campsite with Purchase of 2 Adult Cave Tour Tickets at Kartchner Caverns SP!

Enjoy a cave tour and camp one night free! Free campsite must be used on same visit. Valid June 1 - Sept. 30, 2013. May NOT be redeemed online. No other discounts accepted. Must mention promotion at time of booking. To reserve call (520) 586-2283 and ask for the Summer Special Promotion!

July 20: Moonlight Hike
6:30–8:30 pm. Foothills Loop trail. Meet at the Discovery Center. Join us for a unique ranger-led hike on the Foothills Loop during the full moon. Wear suitable clothing and shoes and bring water, a flashlight, and insect spray. Trail is moderately difficult and 2.5 miles long. Please RSVP with your contact info and number of people in your group to: reservations(at)azstateparks.gov. $6 per vehicle entrance fee applies.

On-Site Volunteers Needed
Escape the Phoenix heat! Summer on-site park volunteer opportunities are available. Bring your RV and live at the park while volunteering at an amazing resource! Learn more.

Learn more about Kartchner Caverns on their website, which includes video tours and a history of the discovery of the caverns in 1974 and its evolution to a state park.

Dramatic "car over cliff" video from Tortilla Flats drive.

If you've ever taken your RV over the nasty curves of Arizona State Route 88 out of Apache Junction, and on through Tortilla Flats, you'll know it's not a highway for the faint-of-heart. Last November a young local fellow took his shiny BMW, equipped it with a video cam, and tried his hand at a little road racing.

The video, released last week, relates a heart-pounding, head-banging experience of running your car off the road and over a cliff. Nobody seriously hurt -- other than the insurance company. Nah, don't show it to your teenage drivers as a precautionary tale, they'll just want to know where they can try it!

Don't miss the Mariachi Festival at Patagonia Lake State Park

If you are a fan of Cinco de Mayo and mariachi music--even if you are not a Latino--Patagonia Lake State Park is the place to be. But you don't have to choose between Cinco de Mayo events, since the Mariachi Festival at the lake is on May 18th.

Tough the park itself, with it's picturesque lake and excellent bird watching, is enough to schedule a visit, you
can spice up your Spring with Patagonia Lake SP's Annual Mariachi Festival. Enjoy a wide variety of Southern Arizona Mariachi bands live and on stage.

Featuring authentic Mexican food, you can also enjoy hot dogs, hamburgers, kettle corn & shaved ice! Visitors may also bring their own picnic basket and there will be a Piñata for the kids! Don’t forget to bring: Plenty of water, lawn chair, sunscreen, and your party hat.

 In addition, Patagonia offers fishing, birding, boat tours, and nature walks. Entrance Station Opens at 7 am. $15 Per Vehicle (up to four adults). Download Event Flier (319 KB PDF).

Musical Schedule:
10:00 am: Mariachi Sonido De Mexico (Band)
11:00 am: Cholla High Magnet School (Band)
Noon: Dance Group Ballet Folklórico Tapatio (Dance Group)
1:00 pm: Mariachi Aztlan, Pueblo High School (Band)
2:00 pm: Nogales High School Apaches (Band)
3:00 pm: Mariachi Alegre (Band)

Moonlight hikes, reptiles, and geology at Red Rock State Park

Sedona's red rock country offers colorful and spectacular views and at Red Rock State Park you can learn about the region with Ranger led hikes and programs. Here is a sampling for April and May: 

April 25: Moonlight Hike

The Moonlight Hike is among the most popular interpretive hikes at the Park. Led by a naturalist, it gives hikers the rare opportunity to enjoy the sunset and moonrise from an overlook and return by the light of the moon, while also having the chance to learn about Sedona and its surrounding areas.

Verde Valley and park history, as well as archeology, geology, botany, and riparian wildlife information, is offered. The hike lasts two to 2 1/2 hours and covers a distance of approximately two miles. Rangers ask hikers to arrive approximately 30 minutes before starting time to insure participation.

No late arrivals can be allowed and reservations are required! When you call 928-282-6907, the arrival time will be given. Wear suitable clothing and shoes (prepare for cool nights) and bring water, a flashlight, and insect spray. A $5.00 per person program fee is charged at the time of the reservation. There is also a $10.00 entrance fee to the park for a car of four adults. Program fees are non-refundable unless the park must cancel the hike after your arrival.

May 5: Sunday Lecture Series: Close Encounters of the Reptilian Kind 2 pm. Dennis Jex will present hands-on and interactive opportunities with his program on Close Encounters of the Reptilian Kind. The fun and educational presentation about snakes will be held in the Park theatre. Dennis will talk about the many facts and myths associated with snakes. You will also learn how to treat - or better yet - avoid snakebites, and how to relocate a snake, if necessary. Reservations are required due to limited space. Call the Park at 928-282-6907 to ensure a seat.

Live snakes will be used to enhance your "up close and personal" educational experience. Do you know snakes eat termites? Some eat scorpions, centipedes, cockroaches, and other insects. Do you know the first thing to do if you're bitten by a rattlesnake? Find out the answers to these and many other questions during this fun and interesting presentation. Visitors will have the opportunity to touch and hold non-venomous snakes for an entertaining and educational close encounter. At the end of the presentation, there will be time for questions. Don't forget to bring your camera!

Dennis Jex has presented educational programs throughout Arizona for several years. His passion for reptiles began at any early age, compelling him to be an advocate for their place on planet earth. He will familiarize you with these wonderful creatures and share fun and interesting information about them. Dennis also assists in field research projects for the benefit of snakes and lizards in Arizona.

Dennis is a strong support of Red Rock State Park, stating, "We are very fortunate to have Red Rock State Park here in Sedona. It's a special place in the heart of Red Rock Country that is a protected safe haven for many plants and animals, including snakes and lizards. Within its boundaries, the Park also protects a section of one of the most endangered ecosystems in the Southwest, the riparian area along Oak Creek. The Park maintains one of the best displays of flora and fauna, including identification books and pictures, that I have seen anywhere in Arizona. It's a good place to learn about local history, geology, and other aspects of the area as well. The Park offers an ongoing variety of public education programs. Red Rock State Park has a dedicated staff and excellent core of volunteers that enable visitors to have a high quality of educational experience on every visit. The Park holds a special place in my heart where I can go relish and rejoice in the nature experience."

May 12: Geology Hike

2 pm. Spring is perfect to join an experienced guide on a hike that focuses on the area's geology. Have you ever wondered why the rocks are red, where they came from, and where they are going? This experience will answer those questions while explaining the rock formations that create the scenic backdrop of Red Rock State Park.

The hike includes the Eagle's Nest Trail for great views while learning about the geology. More than a guided hike, it's an interpretive experience for beginners and advanced geologists. The hike lasts approximately two hours and has a 250 feet elevation climb. Bring water and wear suitable shoes.

 Red Rock State Park is open 7 days a week from 8 am – 5 pm. The Visitor Center is open 9 am – 5 pm daily. Movie Theater, Guided Walks, Jr. Ranger Program. The mission of the park is to preserve the riparian habitat associated with Oak Creek; to serve as an environmental education facility; and to provide limited passive recreational opportunities.