As I mentioned in the previous post, we had to change up our plan on Monday. We took our time getting ready to leave the Thousand Trails Verde Valley RV Resort and Campground. Our original plan would have had us on the road earlier to make the drive to Flagstaff. But there were high wind advisories – sustained winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. Up toward Flagstaff it was worse.
We headed out of the campground just before noon. Our destination was about two miles away on the west side of Thousand Trails Road before we reached AZ260. We spotted free dispersed camping there on National Forest land while we were out on the Spyder on Friday and Saturday. There were two distinct camping areas with a number of rigs in them. The dispersed camping was not so dispersed.
We bypassed the first area – I was concerned about getting our 65-foot length turned around to exit there. The second area was larger and had more room to maneuver. After looking around, we found a fairly level pullthrough spot and set up to ride out the wind storm.
After getting the coach leveled and putting the slides out, we were hit with a few strong wind gusts. The gusts rocked the coach and had the living room slide topper flapping like crazy. I decided to pull the living room slide in. It was better to be safe and not damage the slide topper – our layout works okay with the living room slide in. The bedroom slides are smaller and the toppers on those are less susceptible to wind damage.
Our dispersed camping boondock spot
With wind gusts slamming the coach, I was glad we made the change in plans and didn’t risk driving. We were hit with a few raindrops at times – passing showers that dropped just enough moisture to wet the windshield and the ground. Wetting the dirt was beneficial – before the rain fell wind gusts were kicking up clouds of dust.
Dust in the wind
Donna braved the elements during a lull and went out for a short hike around the area. I spent most of the day reading and looking at possibilities for Tuesday and Wednesday nights. We will check in at the Thousand Trails RV park in Las Vegas on Thursday.
After looking at a number of options, I called the Elks Lodge in Flagstaff. Local ordinance prohibits overnight parking there. Then I called the Elks Lodge in Kingman – that would position us more than half way to Las Vegas. They welcomed RVers in their lot – no hook ups, but no charge either. After talking it over, Donna and I thought two nights at the Kingman Elks Lodge was the best option.
The storm passed shortly after sunset
We ended the day by watching a couple of episodes of Homeland before hitting the sack. The wind finally died down after dark. We both slept soundly. It was cool – the outside temperature fell to the 40s after the front passed through and the temperature inside the coach was 55 degrees when we woke up at 6am. We stayed under the comforter until nearly 7am. I could hear a generator running and cars moving about the campsites, so I got up and fired up our generator. Then I turned on the heat pump.
We pulled out of the area around 8:45am and headed north on I-17. This had us climbing out of the Verde Valley up to the Mogollon Rim. By the time we hit I-40 west near Flagstaff, we were nearly 7,000 feet above sea level. The traffic was fairly light and the going was easy. I-40 westbound from Flagstaff drops gradually for the most part but there are a few steep downgrades.
We stopped at the Pilot/Flying J travel center in Kingman, a few miles short of the Elks Lodge. They had construction going on and only three truck lanes were open. It was crowded and we were in for a wait. After topping up with 66 gallons of diesel fuel at $2.26/gallon, we were on our way again after about 30 minutes.
When we found the Elks Lodge, I drove up slowly looking the parking lot over before I committed to anything. The parking lot on the east side of the lodge looked tight and I didn’t see a way out. Driving past the lodge to the west side I found a large open paved area that looks like it was once the site of two tennis courts. I pulled in there and made a U-turn. I positioned the coach next to a retaining wall separating the old courts from the parking lot.
After entering the lodge and verifying that it was okay to park where we were, we leveled the coach and put the slides out.
Paved and fairly level site at Kingman Elks Lodge
In the photos of the coach and trailer it looks like the trailer rides nose down. This is because I dump the air from the coach suspension, lowering the coach before I level it. When the coach is at normal ride height, the trailer is level.
Our windshield view is a golf course and around the lodge is a nice, well-kept neighborhood. Behind us there are a few houses and desert bluffs. All in all, pretty nice surroundings and you can’t beat free! We’re at an elevation of about 3,500 feet above sea level – nearly the same as Verde Valley.
Windshield view
Not only does Elks membership give us the ability to stay at certain Elks Lodges with our coach, it also ensures that we’re within walking distance of food and drink! I went to the lodge at 4pm for happy hour. It was Tuesday – taco Tuesday to be precise. I texted Donna who was working on an article back in the coach and she joined me at 5pm to take advantage of the taco bar.
We had a drink and a couple of tacos and met a nice couple, Jason and Mona. They gave us a few tips for interesting things to do and see while we’re in Kingman. We’ll probably go to the Hualapai Mountain resort to take in the views and have lunch.
On Thursday, we’ll head up US93 to Las Vegas and the Thousand Trails Las Vegas RV park. I probably won’t post again until Friday.