Pictures from latest trip

[AZsix]

Last night was supposed to be installment #3 of my one on one trips with my four children. However my wife had a lot of work to do and wanted to give her a break so my daughter offered to bring the other three along with us. Only one took her up on it so it was my daughter and my youngest.

We had planned on going to Lost Dutchman SP but it was full as were my next two choices. The only place that was close enough was Estrella Mtn Reg. Park in Goodyear, AZ. On the website it listed 7 full hook up spots and primitive camping. Primitive was good enough for me, they said they had room so off we went. On the west side of Phoenix it was a 50 mile drive for us. The park has ballfields, playgrounds, picnic areas and hiking trails. Not your average cg. Upon arrival we were given a map and directions to the primitive camping area. I was a little foggy on where we should actually set up camp but figured I would see where everyone else was and go there. Well, arriving at the spot there wasn't a camper in site. So now I was a little confused on where I should go. Was I just supposed to drive into the area behind the parking lot? I decided to park, get out and look. I looked like others had driven in there before so off we went. It was like driving into the middle of the desert and finding a place to set up camp. We found a place by a tree that looked level and set up camp. To my amazement we were the only ones that came to camp. After dark when the park closed we had the entire place to ourselves. One of the park hosts/volunteers came by after the kids had gone to bed and we chatted a while. He told me that the full hook ups were taken by the volunteer hosts. They get a free spot in exchange for 20 hours of work a week. Not a bad deal I guess. He told me about the 2 or 3 coyote packs that roam around there and also that from time to time it's not uncommon in the morning to find a bobcat sleeping on one of the picnic tables. He said there are two. One will let you get close before running off the other is spooked easily. We heard the coyotes a lot during the night but didn't see any bobcats in the morning.

It was really a strange place to camp but it turned out pretty well.  It was nice having the place to ourselves and the kids had a blast at the playground. We also took a hike this morning (Sunday) which was nice since the wildflowers are starting to come out. With the wet winter we have had it should be a great year for them. I don't know if I would go back just because I've been there done that but I wouldn't be against it either. It cost $10 bucks and they did have bathrooms with flush toilets though there are no showers. My kids got a kick out of the groundhogs which were all over the place.


What made the trip for me was last night when putting the kids in bed. They both got a little giddy as I lay between them and no matter what either one of us said it caused them to laugh hysterically. They had me laughing so hard I had tears in my eyes. They were fighting over who was going to cuddle with me which put me in heaven. As it turned out they both did at the same time. The biggest reason I wanted this pup in the first place was to spend this kind of time with my kids. I don't know if they will remember the trip but I know it will stay with me forever. It was a "This is what life's about" kind of moments for me. I don't think I could have felt any happier than I did last night with those two kids.

I can't wait for the next trip!

Here's the link to some photos of the trip.

http://picasaweb.google.com/sixinaz/EstrellaMtnRegPark

[Jim K in PA]

What made the trip for me was last night when putting the kids in bed. They both got a little giddy as I lay between them and no matter what either one of us said it caused them to laugh hysterically. They had me laughing so hard I had tears in my eyes. They were fighting over who was going to cuddle with me which put me in heaven. As it turned out they both did at the same time. The biggest reason I wanted this pup in the first place was to spend this kind of time with my kids. I don't know if they will remember the trip but I know it will stay with me forever. It was a "This is what life's about" kind of moments for me. I don't think I could have felt any happier than I did last night with those two kids.

I can't wait for the next trip!

Here's the link to some photos of the trip.

http://picasaweb.google.com/sixinaz/EstrellaMtnRegPark

Gary, thanks for sharing that.  We love those moments, and so do our boys.  I am amazed at how many of those moments my kids DO remember, and in fact relive with us when talking about past trips and fun times.  We have had many of those moments without the popup, but we look forward to many more with it as well.

[austinado16]

Very cool Gary!  Kids-n-camping, nothing beats it!

By the way, did you ever get your furnace working on 12v?

[AZsix]

Very cool Gary!  Kids-n-camping, nothing beats it!

By the way, did you ever get your furnace working on 12v?

No I didn't but then again I haven't really tried yet. I did take a look at it but I didn't see anyway to easily access it. Since the warmer weather it really wasn't that much of a worry to me. I will probably end up getting a portable heater anyway.

When we go to the Grand Canyon we will be plugged in so I don't have to worry about it there.

[GrizzlyTaco]

Nice pictures Gary! I'm glad you and your kids had a great time camping. Thats the reason we bought a PU,, to do things together as a family, and it works, my wife and kids love camping and hanging out together.......Ed C.

[CajunCamper]

Gary,

I am sure your kids will remember this trip forever. Over time the details of the campground may fade, but they will remember and cherish the times their dad spent with them camping and having fun. Actually if your kids are like mine, they will remember more about the trip than you will.

Tell Aubrey to keep taking pictures, I saw the picture she took of the sunset and it was beautiful and tell Michael that I wish I had a cool "HULK" chair like he has. I also liked the "Three Stooges" t-shirt you were wearing, I'm guessing that was an intentional wardrobe choice considering it was just the three of you on the trip.

You are a blessed man to have such wonderful kids and you are a wise man for the fact that you realize it and that you are making it a priority to spend time with them.

Thanks for sharing this with us.

Happy Camping.

CajunCamper

[BuddyBear]

One Word.

...WONDERFUL...

Thanks Gary
BB

[AZsix]

Gary,

I am sure your kids will remember this trip forever. Over time the details of the campground may fade, but they will remember and cherish the times their dad spent with them camping and having fun. Actually if your kids are like mine, they will remember more about the trip than you will.

Tell Aubrey to keep taking pictures, I saw the picture she took of the sunset and it was beautiful and tell Michael that I wish I had a cool "HULK" chair like he has. I also liked the "Three Stooges" t-shirt you were wearing, I'm guessing that was an intentional wardrobe choice considering it was just the three of you on the trip.

You are a blessed man to have such wonderful kids and you are a wise man for the fact that you realize it and that you are making it a priority to spend time with them.

Thanks for sharing this with us.

Happy Camping.

CajunCamper

Actually the t-shirt was not planned. It's one of my favorite shirts though. You can't read it but underneath the faces it says "Uncut, Uncensored and Uncouth" I bought it in Indy back in 92.

I feel pretty lucky to have the kids that I do. Spending time with them has actually been a conscious effort on my part. You always here about parents that are so busy with their careers that they don't have time for their kids. I didn't want to be one of them. Maybe having kids later in life (40 for my first one) has something to do with it. I had a job that wouldn't have allowed me as much time as I have now and when I got downsized out of that I really thought about my priorities and it didn't take much to know it was my family. The job I have now isn't considered a glamorous job as my other one could be thought of but it gives me a lifestyle that I enjoy. I have a beautiful family, great friends (that love to camp) and my health (for the most part). As it turns out I actually make more money and have better benefits than the job I lost so that doesn't hurt either. I don't have to take work home with me which allows me to devote more time to my family. I can't put into words the joy that the pup has brought me in the 6 months that we've have it. It was the best $500 I have ever spent. I will continue paying me dividends for the rest of my life.

Finding this forum has also added so much to my pup experience. To see how passionate all of you are made me see the pup as something more than just a camper, it's a lifestyle. It would be fun to get out and meet as many of you as possible. I give a lot of credit to the people on this forum for opening up a whole new world for me and helping me experience more of what life has to offer than I may would have.

I can't wait for the next trip!

[AzRon]

Gary i should of given my contct info, as i live about 10 min away, couldn't camp but could of visited  I have always wondered about camping there never looked into it tho.  AzRon

[AZsix]

Gary i should of given my contct info, as i live about 10 min away, couldn't camp but could of visited  I have always wondered about camping there never looked into it tho.  AzRon

Since you live so close it would be a good place for a quick overnight get away. They have a lot of hiking trails there and the wildflowers are coming out. The host told me that they really don't push camping there though he feels they should. We camped in the dirt but if I'm not mistaken you can camp on the grass under the big trees as well.

Send me a pm with your contact info and I'll do the same. My kids said they want to go back. With other places getting so hard to get into it's a good option to leave open especially if we could meet up and camp together.

[maromeo]

Gary,

Great pictures, we like to use local parks also. Thanks for sharing.

Take care.

Mary Romeo

[Funrover]

Great Pics!

[jeezy]

What a great trip.  Thanks for sharing.  They'll remember it, believe me.