Jumbo Rocks and More

So after a couple of nights in the Cottonwood Campground, we decided to head back north somewhat early in the morning, with hopes of finding a campsite in the Jumbo Rocks Campground.  Turns out there was no problem at that early hour (yeah!).

And boy, there are indeed some Jumbo Rocks around this area.  I guess formed from what were plateaus made of stones with different hardness, and after eons of erosion, left behind these interesting rock shapes and sizes.

We Found a Spot, Jumbo Rocks Campground, Joshua Tree National Park, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Conehead Teepee Rock, Jumbo Rocks Campground, Joshua Tree National Park, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Front and Back Doors, Jumbo Rocks Campground, Joshua Tree National Park, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Hanging Out, Jumbo Rocks Campground, Joshua Tree National Park, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Tame Ground Squirrel, Jumbo Rocks Campground, Joshua Tree National Park, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

After checking out the campground, we wanted to take a hike.  But we didn't really see any trails, and this place just looked so explorable, so explore we did.   The hike ended up being a bit longer than expected (what?  we did not get lost ;-).  But it was really cool making our own paths and doing the occasional rock scramble.

Rocks and Con Trails, Jumbo Rocks Campground, Joshua Tree National Park, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Rock Around Thistle Dew Too, Jumbo Rocks Campground, Joshua Tree National Park, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Could That Be "Rocky"? (sorry ;-) , Jumbo Rocks Campground, Joshua Tree National Park, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Flying High, Jumbo Rocks Campground, Joshua Tree National Park, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Queen of the Rocks, Jumbo Rocks Campground, Joshua Tree National Park, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

We Were Way Up There, Jumbo Rocks Campground, Joshua Tree National Park, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Joshua Trees and Clouds, Jumbo Rocks Campground, Joshua Tree National Park, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

We'll finish up the hikes from this campground, and some yummy meals, in the next post.

Flagstaff has Snow, Sedona has Rain and Fog

So when I awoke the next morning, this is how I was greeted.

Cold, Wind, Rain, and SNOW!, Camping World, Flagstaff, AZ, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

So I bundled myself up and asked the store for an extra shovel and helped them clear their driveway.  (Why they don't have a snowplow is another story.)  I also shoveled off the roof, since we were planning to head down to Sedona after getting our parts.

As it turned out, it was rainy and foggy on our drive to and through Sedona, which is too bad, as that is clearly a beautiful place.  We will have to visit there later!

So instead we were going to get onto the I-17 and head down to Scottsdale (and camp in a rest area!), but thankfully my GPS was confused on which way to turn, and I noticed a National Forest with camping signs, so we spent the night there.  It turned out to be a beautiful night, and the following day was as clear as could be.

Boondocking Outside Sedona, NFD Road 618, GPS: 34.6837 -111.72.65, Sedona, AZ, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Very Green, NFD Road 618, GPS: 34.6837 -111.72.65, Sedona, AZ, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Now That's a Sign, NFD Road 618, Sedona, AZ, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

We followed the National Forest road toward Scottsdale, and ended up on the Beeline Highway, a very nice road (not too fast, not too slow).  And our mouths dropped as we entered the Sonoran Desert, and got our first peek of the quintessential Saguaro (pronounced Sa-WAH-ro) cacti.

Here Come the Saguaro, Beeline Highway, Tonto National Forest, AZ, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Beautiful Setting, Beeline Highway, Tonto National Forest, AZ, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Desert in Nice, Beeline Highway, Tonto National Forest, AZ, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

So even though we missed seeing two of our intended destinations, we know we will either catch them on the return trip home, or our next cross-country adventure.  Sometimes you have to go with the flow!  Now on to my Sister's house in Scottsdale.

Time to Chill, Cook, and Dine

After that invigorating hike, we decided to chill a bit, and the awning finally got deployed, as well as our outdoor chairs and table.  I guess the bright sun and altitude just made this a perfect location.

Carol whipped up a couple of dishes (Pasta Primavera and Thai Yellow Curry with Crispy Tofu), so we'd have multiple meals (and leftovers) that would keep us going for a while.   The Curry recipe is at the end of this post, and the Pasta recipe will be included in a later post.

Making Shade, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Vegan Cookathon, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Now That's Camping!, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Cheers!, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

The Curry recipe looks rather complicated, but it's actually pretty "easy" since it is made in just one pot.  It shows what can be done in an RV with the proper canned goods, fresh produce, and most importantly, spice selection!  These can be prepared in parallel (along with the rice).

Crispy Tofu (Vegan), makes 8 servings:

2 packages extra firm tofu, drained and pressed to remove as much water as possible

Cut into 1" x 1.5" x 1/2" thick pieces for griddle frying (on 2 flat sides)

Roll in spice mixture (1/4 cup Kirkland Organic No-Salt Spice Mix + 2 tsp curry powder)

Heat griddle and brush on a tiny bit of avocado oil to crisp up each side of tofu pieces

Thai Yellow Curry (Vegan), makes 8 servings:

1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas, rinsed and drained

1 small orange bell pepper, chopped fine

2 medium sweet onion, chopped fine

4 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, diced into small pieces

1/2 head cauliflower, cut into small florets

4 sliced carrots

1 cup frozen peas, thawed

1 1/2 cup golden raisins

2 15-ounce can regular coconut milk

1 15-ounce can light coconut milk

4 tsp garam masala

2 tsp cumin

1 TBS turmeric

1 TBS coriander

1 teaspoon ground sea salt

1/2 cup nutritional yeast

3 TBS fresh ginger, minced

8 garlic cloves, minced

1 TBS dried lemongrass

Add all ingredients in Dutch Oven. Simmer covered for 2 hours, stir every 30 mins.

Add 1-2 cans of water (optional) for desired consistency
Serve curry over brown rice, and top with Crispy Tofu

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

So we arrived before the sun went down -- always a good thing, especially when you are simply driving to a GPS coordinate, hoping no one has taken the spot, and that you can navigate the (sometimes hairy) dirt road.

And this place turned out to be wonderful and we highly recommended!  Here are the GPS coordinates if you find yourself near Page, AZ:  GPS: 36.994201 -111.60102 .

Pleasantly Surprised, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (NRA), March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Our Own Burning Bush?, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Every Rock Needs a Good Wash, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Small Problem -- Mountain Lion?, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

On our quick sunset exploration, we come across the tracks above.  You can see my sneaker print, and then some small animal and large animal prints.  Might those large ones be mountain lion tracks?  Carol concludes my early morning forays are now off the table :-(  We should avoid venturing far during dusk and dawn.

Hunker Down at Sunset, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Staying Close at Sunrise, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Coraling the Sunbeams, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Weathered and Rusty, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Well, fortunately after some research online, we concluded those were only dog tracks (admittedly, a big dog), because mountain lions (and all "cats") don't leave claw marks, since their claws retract.  So now I am given the green light to explore during those "golden light" hours.  Yeah!