Buckeye Hills Regional Park - a challenge, a solution, and a good boondocking experience

I really enjoyed Buckeye Hills Regional Park, south of Buckeye, AZ. I thought I was perma-relaxed, but I completely sank into it here. 

And, why not? I camped near the bathroom (but not too near, because). I had my own garbage can and covered picnic table. I had my solitude, and I also met some nice bird people, with whom I took a lovely owling walk at sunset.

Melissa, Reid, and Mike

I had my books and my poetry to protect me. 

There is no fee to camp here. 

There was a hitch, and it's hard to know how it happened, or why. On Friday night an agitated man drove through the circle, urging us to leave soon (right away! do not delay! they're on their way! by end of day!) because the Firebird District of the Boy Scouts had reserved everything everywhere. When he met with resistance from all of us (No signs. You need to post some signs), he and his agitated buddy called the Sheriff's office.

The deputy was able to clarify that the Boy Scouts had, indeed, reserved some of the campsites for the night, so those of us intending to band sparrows banded together to band together. We shared a big site that evening, and then spread out when the threat had passed.

The Boy Scouts themselves were just fine. Noise, yeah, but it was happy, innocent noise; they left the park looking clean. Their leaders, though, needed some help being prepared. This kind of nonsense could happen again March 7 & 8, 2014.  If you happen to be there then, it's fine to politely stand your ground and find out exactly what area has been reserved. It is probably not the entire park complex. On the other hand, the leaders will certainly have learned a better way to go about this, so you're likely to have no trouble at all.

Don't let this dismay you. It's a quiet park, and during the week you're likely to have plenty of space to yourself to kick back in the shade and read that steamy novel you've been trying to get to.

I'm pointing RIGHT AT IT. You're telling me you can't see?

I stayed four nights, and would have been content longer. Buckeye offers a public library with wifi, and an IGA. I'm told you can find a WalMart if you try. The park offers easy hiking, clear skies, and coyote songs.

Agua Fria National Monument - a (public) land toilets forgot

I've had my heart set on camping in Agua Fria for a while. A popular site told me there were toilets, and I like toilets, so I went to see them.

This is NOT a toilet.

It was fine.

I got discouraged by the no-toilets at either exit (259 or 256, Route 17). The day was cloudy, my mood was cloudy, the river was cloudy.

I SOSed on Facebook, and got several ideas for overnighting. I chose Sunset Point Rest Area. I know, but let me tell you about it. It's not skeevy. It's pretty busy, so it's not scary, but somehow it's quiet. Maybe because it's off the highway. Anyway, I put up my blackout curtains, put on my hat, and snuggled down happily for the night. There are signs indicating overnight parking is permitted, and other signs encouraging you to rest until you're rested.

Once you're that rested, go to Rock Springs for pie. 

The next day I met my cousin at her hotel. Yay Cousin! She had to go do work stuff, which left me to do hotel stuff on her behalf. That gave me time to figure out stuff. To create a plan. To take over the world.

Go, little tree! We're ROOTING for you! No one LEAVES without an orange. 

I'm camping in a spot not mentioned on the above popular site, and I'll change that later. Lots of you know about it already. It's quiet, except for occasional low-flying jets, whatever. It also has toilets. It's west of Phoenix. 

Brainstorm with me: I want a solar solution to charging my Mac (which uses a weirdo charge connection, the SmartMag). My two solar panels each have a 12v adapter, but neither panel produces enough oomph to charge my computer, and I can't link the two. I'm thinking I need about a 60 watt panel to charge it - does that sound right?

On the other hand, my Poweradd solar charger/battery pack might have what it takes to give it a boost, but I'd need a super-weird USB-to-12v adapter, or an even weirder super-weird USB-to-Magsafe adapter.

Any ideas?

Otherwise, I'm hooked up pretty well. I'm surfing along comfortably with my Millenicom Jetpack and my Wilson Sleek 4G-V, being powered by my Goal Zero solar panel (a Woot impulse purchase).