Off to Phoenix - Feb 7, 2013

We spent several, immensely enjoyable days at the Imperial Dam BLM, LTVA (long-term visitor area).  It is a unique community of RVers who assemble in the winter to enjoy the solitude (if they want it) or the many  interesting activities and opportunities, including:

• No bugs - at least while we were there.
• The military base was open to us with our ID and campsite confirmation – we did not partake this time – laundromat, store, gas, propane, post office, café, restaurant, free movies with popcorn each night, videos and DVDs, etc.  I know there is no tax for the military but not sure about regular folk like us.
• People were doing a cookie drive for the EMT – emergency medical team that services the area – last year they collected 742 dozen cookies.
• There was an Airstream trailer in an area called Skunk Hollow that had a library – leave a book/take a book.
• A huge concrete area covered by a roof where we did aerobics three days a week (no cost) – also yoga which we did not do - perhaps other things happen there, we're guessing.
• Planned hikes and kayaking which we did not do.
• Mostly large RVs – I had pictured masses of those really old wrecks with owners to match (you know what I mean).  I only saw one of those although a few older models with nice older folks still RVing – those are fine. 
• The sunsets and sunrises and a beautiful large lake – Senator Wash Reservoir.  I was mega surprised at that.
• A Christian centre that had movie nights, etc.
• People were friendly but not too friendly although we were with other Montana folks.  We were told by others though that it is a very safe area and far better than the other BLMs.
• And no snakes that I saw or scorpions, YEAH!!

We departed for Phoenix, Arizona, just three and one-half hours away, leaving Kate and Greg along with John holding down the dwindling Montana Fort on the desert.

GOOD BYE IMPERIAL DAM AND ITS WILD BURROWS

HELLO PHOENIX

  Actually, we made it to one of the many communities around Phoenix. We are staying for a few days at Cotton RV 55+ Resort Community in Goodyear, Arizona.









Cotton RV is typical of many of the desert RV parks we have visited.  Not much greenery but lots of activities in a very nice set of facilities.

Stopping Places
11.    Phoenix, Arizona (actually - Goodyear, Arizona)

We did mention earlier that we didn't see any snakes, well not at Imperial Dam.  On the way from Imperial Dam, we stopped at a roadside restaurant (sort of) that Pat, Kate, and Kristi stopped at a few days earlier to buy gourds for crafts.  While there, they saw nine US Homeland security, Border Patrol staff having lunch.  Obvious conclusion, the food had to be good!!  To continue about not seeing snakes, while ordering our lunch, the gentleman at the cash register asked us if we wanted some rattlesnake he had shot.  A little nervous, we asked what he meant.  In an instant we were tasting rattlesnake, mmm, good!  Both of us thought it tasted like chicken, just little stringy.

We are looking forward to adventures of the Big City kind.