We haven’t traveled in the RV since we returned from the Eastern Sierras of California in September, 2023. During that drought, we’ve been downsizing my 82-year-old parents from a huge house located an hour away, to a reasonably-sized house in our very own neighborhood. So, after the move was successfully completed, it was time for our first outing of 2024!
We ventured to McDowell Mountains Regional Park, 40 minutes from our Phoenix-area home, near the charming community of Fountain Hills, AZ. Fountain Hills is famous for their enormous fountain that spews every hour, on the hour, for 15 minutes. It’s the world’s fourth-tallest fountain, and the second tallest in the U.S.
The McDowell Mountains are a wonderful urban escape with impressive sunrises and sunsets, and astounding views of the surrounding mountains, including the uncreatively-named Four Peaks bathed in pink sundown light. The quietness of the setting was disturbed only by the howling of hundreds of coyotes in the surrounding desert, a haunting soundtrack to Mother Nature’s majesty.
On our 2024 wish list was to take our 2-1/2 year old grandson, Connor, camping in the RV. A practice run of “camping” in our driveway led to the main event, as Connor and his dad Sean came for 24 hour of toddler-centric fun. We delighted in his new discovery of all the classic camping activities: “hiking” (we went at least 50 feet!), roasting weenies over an open flame, red solo cups, s’mores, and more.
Given the observed customer base of this campground, which consisted mostly of couples 65 and older, it was shocking to find the coolest Southwest-inspired playground ever, with a slide that went through a snake’s belly, a climbable cactus, spiderweb rope climb up a “boulder,” and more.
Even for an 56-year-old Arizona native like me, the beauty of the desert still takes my breath away.
McDowell Mountains Regional Park has miles and miles of multi-use trails, some of which led straight out from the campground. When hiking in the desert Southwest, be sure your pack contains a simple $0.59 comb. (Maybe $1.29, with supply chain issues and all that.) Not so you look good in selfies. When you (or your dog) inadvertently get a cactus thorn in your skin, use the comb to reach behind the quills and flick it cleanly out, without having to touch it with your hands and thereby transferring your problem from one location to another!
Though we haven’t been traveling in the last few months, I HAVE been writing, and RV Destinations Magazine just published my article about our stay at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge outside Eureka Springs, Arkansas. It was a super-unique RV destination, camping right on their property!
And, RV America Magazine, published by Passport America, just published a piece we wrote on winter camping! Both of these articles are available to read on the “Media” page of charmingrvadventures.com.
We have two more Arizona-based trips this spring. In February, we will spend a week in far-southern Arizona at the Festival of the Arts in Tubac, Southern Arizona’s longest running art festival since 1959, with over 200 vendors and 75,000 attendees. In March, we will venture to a fantastic country music festival called Party in the Desert in Wickenburg. In the meantime, still dreaming and planning of all the great places we want to go! So many dreams, so little time!
Happy 2024!!!
And to you and Pat, Les!!!
Tessa, I ‘m happy to hear that the big move has been successfully completed. Connor is adorable, and I’m sure that a camping trip with him was an excellent reward for all of your hard work and dedication. I love to see kids enjoying their camping adventures, but I’m thinking it’s going to be quite a while before the little guy grows into his Grandpa’s hiking poles. By the way, I would have climbed the cactus at the playground, too, without a doubt!
Hi Mary and Alan! It’s always a joy to see kids camping, whether they are yours or not! Such enthusiasm! Such energy! Such joy! And I think you climbing that cactus would be perfect for your next years’ Christmas card. I say this selfishly though, since I’m trying to get you back out here! Is the RV Alaska plan a “go” for this summer?
The Alaska trip is still a “maybe,” but we did get word from GMC that the new truck is now in production. Hope springs eternal. Congratulations on your recent publications! I finally had a chance to read them this morning. My favorite part was the paragraph about how important it is to have the right navigator riding shotgun. 😉 Happy National Plan for Vacation Day! It was created in our honor, Tessa!
I was just thinking about you guys and wondering what you’ve been up to! So fun that you introduced Connor to camping. He’s a natural! I remember seeing that snake slide at the campground and thinking how cool it was. Congratulations on your newest publication! Hugs and happy adventuring this year!
Hi Laurel and Eric! We are back at it with the camping! Yaaaaay!!! I don’t think I realized you guys had been out here at the McDowells, but then on further reflection …. OF COURSE YOU HAVE!! You’ve been everywhere! We’re planning Summer 2025 travels right now and hoping to visit you as part of that route! XOXO
Lovely. Thank you. Lived in Maricopa Cty twice , in Gilbert and never knew about the fountain.
And your only 56, wow.
Hi Kathryn! I vaguely knew the fountain existed, but not that it was such a U.S. and world landmark in size! And, I grew up in Gilbert, back when Gilbert was just a pokey horse town and not the metropolis it has recently become. 🙂 Thanks for writing and I’m glad you enjoyed the post.