"Two roads diverged in a yellow wood... And sorry I could not travel both. I took the one less traveled by. And that has made all the difference." --Robert Frost

Sunday, March 6, 2016

Staying at a Fancy Shmancy RV Resort - Or Not?


Gold Canyon, AZ
Canyon Vista RV Resort


It is unusual for us to stay more than a week or two at any one place other than when we visit with Steve's Dad in Surprise.  So this was a first for us.  We were to be at Canyon Vista RV Resort for the month of March with our friends Curt & Glenda of Camp Lowry.  We generally prefer to be at State Parks, National Forests or boondocking.  But this month we were actually looking forward to being pampered in a full blown resort with all the bells and whistles.  There is no shortage of amenities in this Over 55 Resort or things to do here.  I was looking forward to joining the hiking club and hanging out at the pool while Steve was looking forward to the free beer at the multiple Happy Hour Get-Togethers.  And of course hanging out with Curt and Glenda.  We had lots of bike rides and hiking planned.

It was nice to be greeted by Curt and Glenda when we pulled in as well as a surprise Hello from a couple, Jim & Cheri we had met in Idaho by a chance geocache.  That blog post HERE at "Holy Taters Batman".

 
Our site.  A little closer to the neighbors than we like, but that is Flat Iron in the background! 

Can't beat the view!

One night we joined Curt and Glenda and their friends Ron & Patsy at the nice home they have here in the park.  These fancy RV Resorts are usually made up of RV spaces, and small homes.  Bob and Patsy's was gorgeous.  They come here for a few months down from Canada.

Curt, Glenda and Steve.

 
A bonus to this home is that it has a rooftop entertainment area.  What a view, again, with Flat Iron as a backdrop!  We had a nice happy hour and watched the sun set.


 
                                                         Patsy and Ron


We had a great time going out to dinner, pool time, happy hours (yes with free beer & wine) and looked forward to many plans.  Then it happened.  We have had these reservations for a year.  We try not to make reservations at all as we like to have that flexibility in this lifestyle.  Besides, we rarely know where we'll be next month, let alone next year.  Anyway...

Out for Mexican with Curt & Glenda
 
Our dog, Hurley, was not a problem when we made the reservation a year ago, but a couple neighbors complained once we were there and a big Ta-Do went on.  Let me say the management was very, very nice about it and actually came out to meet Hurley (he is a Pitbull).  They found him very personable and tried to get the anonymous complainers to come meet him.  They declined and after going over policy decided that his breed (among a few others) was not allowed at the park and that we'd have to leave.  They were very apologetic that it was not mentioned until now and we completely understood.  They let us stay about a week so we could make other arrangements as it was March and it would be very difficult for us to find another park during peak season.  They also gave us a full refund and did not charge us for any utilities.  Again, they could not have been more apologetic about things and we were happy they worked with us.  Unfortunately I could find nowhere to stay in the immediate area so we would have to cut short our time with Curt and Glenda and move further south to Tucson.  The only problem we had with their "policy" was that the rules don't seem to be enforced for everyone as there was a Pitbull directly behind us and next to us a Doberman Pincher.  Oh well.

 
Before we headed south we were able to help out at our friends, Doug & Dotty's, Salsa booth for the Salsa Challenge.  It's a great event and raises money for the Hemophilia Assoc.

It was a fun, busy weekend and Kickin' AZ Salsa took 3rd in the Hot category second year in a row!
 
Another day I decided to ride my bike to the trailhead to do a little hiking.  Curt recommended Silly Mountain Park.  Plenty of easy hiking, so I did them all!

 
 
The park is across the valley from the Superstitions.  There's Flat Iron again!

  
 
No rattlesnakes yet but lots of wildflowers.


Lots of up and down and around from one little group of hills to the next.  I even found a geocache along the way.
 

 
Lots of pretty colors of lichen on the rocks.


No getting lost here.  They are very good with their signage!  I wonder if anyone really couldn't figure out that there is a drop off on the other side?

I climbed up to one of the little peaks and off to the side, almost out of view, was a little memorial.  I see these from time to time on trails and it always humbles me.  I wonder who the person is and what happened to them and how sad their loved ones are that they are no longer here.  Then I look around, breath deep and I remind myself how lucky I am to be here.
 

Once back down, I walked through the small Botanical Garden.  It had many species of cactus, trees and flowers and their names.  One of these days I'll be able to remember them all.
 

 

Our last hike was to see the petroglyphs.  Curt took us out while Glenda was still nursing a sore ankle.
 
 
There are a few trails that branch off at the trailhead.


 
        Curt pointing to where we're headed.                                    Up there.
 
 
 


     
                                                 Small "tank" of water.

I only had my iPhone so this is as far as I could zoom in.  The balanced rock at the top is referred to as the Jay Leno Rock.  It's a bit blurry, but it does look like his profile.

 
Lots and lots of petroglyphs on the rocks.




 
It was a hot day so this late hike was very nice and the views looking back down were great!


Me, Curt & Steve


 
Ah, made it back down before sunset!  Thanks for the hike Curt!
 

 

18 comments:

  1. You guys are busy! Who wouldn't like Hurley?

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    1. I'm still playing blog catch up, so it didn't all just happen in the past week :-) I know, poor Hurley. His feelings were hurt!

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  2. Debbie....we were so happy that you and Steve decided to come to Gold Canyon in last March but very disappointed when you had to leave so soon. It was frustrating to know that other breeds similar to Hurley were in the park and no one complained. So glad you got to meet Ron and Patsy. They're a great couple and we have as much fun with them as we do with you and Steve. Happy I could get a couple hikes in you the two of you also. Wasn't Weaver's Needle incredible? Can't wait to get together in CO next month. Be safe.

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    1. We had a blast while it lasted and even though we didn't get to spend the whole month with you two, we sure had a blast! Glad we got to do those hikes! Weaver's Needle was a highpoint!! See you soon!

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  3. Is sure never sounded fair, especially with other Pitbulls and Dobermans there. Glad you were able to enjoy a few hikes in the area before you had to leave.

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    1. We had been in the area for a while, but wanted to spend that month with Curt and Glenda. It was disappointing, but we totally understood and didn't have a problem with it. The hikes were awesome!

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  4. In our travels we have found it to be common practice that the rules are never enforced fairly, if enforced at all. Particularly rules pertaining to dogs. Other than making you leave it seems the park did right by you.

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    1. The parks management couldn't have been more fair and accommodating with us. We did appreciate that. Just another reason we rarely stay at private parks. It was nice of them to not charge us for those several days we were there.

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  5. Bummer about being kicked out of the campground! The hiking looks great but it has to be getting hot!

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    1. Remember I'm still catching up on my blog. We're in SW Colorado now. Just got our fishing license yesterday! Going to try to hit the water today if last nights rain didn't muddy up the river!

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  6. Love your hikes!! And love the Leno rock!!

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    1. They were fun and the Leno rock was really cool. It really looked amazingly like his profile.

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  7. I'm sure karma caught up with those cowardly complainers...Hurley was so sweet to Tessa (I won't tell her what happened, she'd be pissed). But you took it in stride and I'm sure found new adventures. Boy the desert was sooo green in March, beautiful photos.

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    1. I'd just like to see the rules enforced the same for everyone. I know we were just there for a month and I'm sure as a business they don't want to lose those that come back year after year and stay for several months. And I know there are many that don't like big dogs or especially Pit Bulls, but I also don't like walking past your little yappy dog that looks like it would rip in to me if it could when mine is behaving so nicely and ignoring you and your dog. Either way, it was ok and we really did understand. We're just glad we were able to spend more time with Curt and Glenda even if we couldn't be at the same place. And I'm glad you didn't tell Tessa. I wouldn't want her to get upset either :-) Apache Junction/Gold Canyon area is a great place to spend a month in Feb/Mar!

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  8. I never mind a CG enforcing its rules as long as it is fair to ALL people the same! Good for you for taking it in stride but I would not be happy about others with the same, or other "not allowed" breeds, being allowed to stay! My brother has a pitbull mix and she is the sweetest dog ever - it's usually those little chihuahua's you've got to be careful of and no one ever complians about them! Poor Hurley!

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    1. I agree. But when you're talking about private parks, it's usually older folks with little dogs and I get it. That's why we prefer not to stay in them. I know many are not comfortable around his breed and I do like to think I go out of my way to keep him away from other dogs, kids or people that look uncomfortable. He's always leashed if that's the rule too.

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  9. Amazing adventurestory! Someday Richard and I will follow your trail! Hurley is a LOVE! Happy new year!

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    1. Happy New Year! We'll see you in the fall again after we leave Maine!

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