Okay Sedona, you're back in the game.

Sedona showed her true colors today, so I forgave her a little for the past few days.

You may not forgive me, though, because I am too languid to bother choosing tonight's pictures. Photos: let me give you them.

Tee hee! I was hiding.

Early US map, including Bermuda, Cuba, and the island of Mexico.

I don't know if I found Emily's spot or not; it doesn't matter, though. Because I went looking for it, I got to see all this stuff I wouldn't have on wheels.

Balloon. I think this is the one that nearly fell on Al and Kelly, and then Pheebs bit it until it let go, so she's the heroine. I think that's exactly how the story went. I shouldn't even link Al's post, because OMG look at his picture quality. That's how the balloon inflates. [shrug]

I've been to Jerome, too, but enough is ... more than enough. Maybe later.

The Where We Were.

We've left our Mountainaire home. It was a good home, a fine home.

Exit 333 on Route 17, go east, make first right onto Forest Service Road 700. Take left that points to Lake Mary Meadows. Lots of level spots on both sides of the road.

We used eleven gallons of propane over the last 27 days, and all our water, plus what we could beg off family. I blame washing vegetables. From now on, if organic poo is good enough for my carrots, it's good enough for me.


Lori told me I should talk more about using my links. Over here. ↘ I'm going to address all your obstacles and concerns, so that you'll feel comfortable about using them, especially Amazon. You are feeling very comfortable. Your purchasing finger is feeling very heavy. You can barely keep your credit card in your wallet.

• I forget to use your link! 

I know. Click on the box over here (→) and when the page opens, make that your Amazon bookmark. You'll never have to think about it again.

• I have my own Amazon link!

I have no rebuttal for this. You should use your own link.

• I don't like people knowing what I'm buying!

I feel you. I can't tell who you are, but I feel you. If I go to great lengths, I can see things that someone has purchased, but I have no way of knowing who.

• I actively resist consumerism in all its forms, and I do not purchase from Amazon!

Fight the power! No rebuttal necessary; you're good.

• My good-for-nothing brother-in-law has an Amazon link!

No rebuttal needed. Use my link instead.

• I don't want to pay more for my stuff by using your link!

Who does? The good news is, you won't. Amazon kicks in my cut from its profit, not your cost.

• How do I know you won't use your commission on cheap liquor and fast ducks?

You don't. But, let me assure you that Ducks don't drink cheap liquor. And, feeding ducks is good karma.

Mountainaire is on the flight path. It's kinda cool, instead of annoying.

Elk hang out at tanks. [You're welcome]

Back when I talked about Schnebly Hill, I should have mentioned the great public dumpster there. I say "public," because no one hassled us about using it, and it's never locked. Actually, most dumpsters we've encountered around here have been accessible. 

After you've turned west off 17 at Exit 320, turn right toward the ADOT station. On the left is the dumpster. Right about here. Maybe I'll go back and mention it there, too.

Where we aren't.

I probably have the flu, so please employ universal precautions. Remain 18-24" from your computer screen, and wash your hands after reading this post.

Gratuitous flower shot.

We were going to outrun the heat like the Bandit outran Smokey. I'm assuming that's how it went down. Smokey had his ears on, and the Bandit had to dodge and duck 'im. Beer. Texarkana. At the end they became the best of friends, each better understanding the other's point of view? Well, that's what we were gonna do - Duck 'im out of the heat and up further into the mountains toward Flagstaff.

It turns out that the "heat" here isn't as hot as it sounds. Something about "dry." Breeze blows all day, and we haven't gotten uncomfortable yet.

We did go exploring, and I'm going to tell you about some stuff.  From 17, Schnebly Hill Road is exit 320. Great boondocking spots, and the smaller you are, the better selection you have. You hear about the west side of 17, and that's worth looking at. In fact, that's where these pictures were taken. However, don't discount the east side. Miles and miles of potential boondocking out there, and it's more likely to be private than the Sedona side is. There are some challenges for solar-powered rigs, but that can be overcome, too.

And piney! so piney. We haven't smelled piney woods like that since Florida.

Up close it smells like butterscotch. I'm not kidding. Put your nose right here.

Schnebly Hill Road to the west will take you all the way into Sedona, but I can't recommend it unless you're in a high-clearance vehicle. Probably a 4X4. We got a few miles in with the Prius before I squealed. By the time I quack, we're already further than we would bring the Duck anyway, so we turned around.

Quack?  I swear I just heard a quack.

I don't care how many cookies are in there.

Foxboro Lake Dam

There is a nice pull-in to the left of this place. Pull in.

7/10/2012 update: there is a dumpster at this exit, too. It's here.

Annie has gone to town to get me (and the future her) some homeopathic flu remedy. Please blame the fever for this post. Don't hold it against me or Arizona.