Arizona Escapades

I wish...

After freezing in Southern California, I decided to sightsee some of Arizona. I ventured north first stopping in Quartzsite where my friends were still staying at the LTVA. It wasn't too cold, but the wind was violent! My friend claimed it's never windy, but since this is the second visit I've made to Quartzsite and the SECOND windstorm, I was skeptical. I thought Lake Havasu sounds like it's hot and prone to vacationers. Maybe the weather is better? North I continued.

The various parks along the drive right before Lake Havasu with the beautiful lakes were gorgeous. The palm trees lining the beaches looked like something from a fantasy television show! Lots of BLM land along the highway just south and north of Lake Havasu City. I stopped at the local Ford dealership to spend some money on fluid changes and general maintenance. While I waited for the van to be done, I walked to The London Bridge! I stopped in the tourist center and watched the history of the bridge. Pretty cool! The clouds eventually blew away but the wind was so violent I thought I'd get wind burnt rather than sun burnt!

I left with not much of a plan. Maybe north then to Prescott? This freedom is wonderful! I looked at a map and tried to formulate an itinerary. I took the old Route 66, then ended up on a twisty turning highway with a drop off on one side in the middle of snow flurries that turned into a hail storm! Really? How did I manage to get colder?

North of Prescott I found a BLM campground. Shortly after this photo was taken it began to rain. I awoke the next morning to 28 degrees! No. No. No. I visited Prescott in 42 degrees. Beautiful town, but way too cold!

North of Prescott BLM campground

I drove back up into the mountains on another frightening twisting highway covered in ice with a drop off! There was a semi with a long, empty bed in front of me which gave me some courage. I figured if he could take those turns and not fly off the cliff, I was good to go. I watched as he crossed into the incoming traffic lane. Good god! My nerves were shot once I arrived in Jerome, a really cool town built on the side of a mountain. I continued to Cottonwood. Tired of snow, hail, and freezing temperatures I hightailed it back to Tucson. Once I dropped into the valley the weather warmed, turned onto Highway 79, a beautiful drive through the desert, arriving "home" around 5:30pm to 60 degrees. Finally!

Someone told me before I left, Tucson is the primo spot for wintering. Perfect weather compared to every other place in the USA. I doubted this man's knowledge, but I now agree. I plan to hang out around southern Arizona until the rest of the world warms up!