Ancient Ruins Whisper Stories of the Sinagua People at Tuzigoot

Imagine walking through a 110 room ancient pueblo site that was built back in the year 1125. Feel the rough sandstone and limestone walls, see how small these tiny stone masonry rooms were and take in the majestic 360 degree views that brought the Sinagua people protection for many years.

We literally walked through Indian history as we wandered through multiple stories of the Tuzigoot National Monument that stands proudly above the Verde River in Arizona.

Tuzigoot is Apache for “crooked water” and as you stand overlooking the vast 834 acres around the monument you can see the crooked and jagged path of the Verde River and water access that surrounded this site. It’s no wonder that the Sinagua people chose this location for the plentiful farming land, hilltop viewing and abundant water course.  

Exploring the ruins we noticed there were no doors or windows, only solid walls and open roofs which made us wonder how they entered the dwellings.  Using trapdoors and ladders, the Sinagua people entered each room in this rocky fortress through the roof!

The entire 110 room structure housed over 250 people between 1125 and 1400. The Sinagua people were masterful with architecture, farming and trading and it is believed that this was a temporary residence on their way to a permanent “promised land” for the tribes.

Visually, this monument is just fascinating. There are hundreds of impeccably structured square rooms that are symmetrically balanced and stacked into architectural perfection.

Historically, it is just as fascinating. Ancient ruins, visitor center, museum and artifacts still scattered throughout the site make Tuzigoot National Monument a “must see” destination.

On a clear day you can see for miles, and feel the wind in your hair as you picture farm lands below and the hustle and bustle of a community of 250 people living and working together atop this mountain ridge.

The Totally Trailer Trio highly recommends visiting Tuzigoot National Monument. There is no overnight or RV parking at the monument but there are plenty of campgrounds and RV sites available in nearby Clarkdale, Cottonwood and throughout the Verde Valley. Some sites at Dead Horse State Park in Cottonwood even offer spectacular views of the monument to add to the sight seeing adventure.

http://www.nps.gov/tuzi/index.htm

http://azstateparks.com/Parks/DEHO/

Where's Waldo in the ancient ruins of Tuzigoot? (and by Waldo, we mean little one)!

The stone masonry walls overlooking the Verde Valley

A spectacular feat of architecture forms a maze of rooms winding down the Tuzigoot Monument

Beautiful timber and masonry work inside one of the dwellings in Tuzigoot

Rock work, architecture, arches and panoramic views? What more could you want?

Looking up at the Tuzigoot observation pak

Hard to imagine that each layer was a separate room and dwelling-Accessible only by rooftop ladders 

From a distance you can admire the size of Tuzigoot National Monument 

RV Industry is Growing- Why has RVing become so popular?

According to the March 16, 2015 market and data trend report prepared by The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association, there are more than 9 million households that own an RV, which is a record high and a 16% increase from 2001 (and a staggering 64% increase since 1980)!


So, why the increase in RV/trailer/5th Wheel demand?


* RVing and Camping support a healthy and balanced life and lifestyle. This includes being active, experiencing nature and good old fashioned quality time with family and friends. According to RVIA, RVers said they report better bonds with their children and family members.

* Rvers can take more frequent, shorter trips throughout the year that are closer to home. Rather than taking one large block of time for one family vacation a year. With busy family schedules, RV owners are able to do more weekend getaways and be involved in recreation close to home.

* RVs can be used for a multitude of purposes including: tailgating, traveling with a big family, the ability to take pets along on trips, being involved in team events that travel or for business purposes.

* RV traveling is much more cost effective than flying, cruises etc. A 2014 Vacation Cost Comparison done by PFK Consulting USA, proved that a family of four can save 27-62% on vacation costs by traveling in an RV. From food savings (not eating out), to hotel savings (you can dry camp or RV parks typically only cost $30-$45 on average) and no luggage fees or rental cars, this really adds up (even when you factor in cost of ownership and gas)!

* IRS tax deductions for owning an RV

With all of these benefits, why wouldn't you want to experience the happiness and freedom that come with owning a recreation vehicle?

To read the whole article and market trend release from RVIA click here: http://www.rvia.org/?ESID=indicators

The Totally Trailer Trio is happy to be part of this "movement" to get out and explore more!

Montezuma's Castle- Breaking every little girl's dream since 1860 (because...it's not a Disney princess castle)

Montezuma’s Castle is sure to break every little girl’s dream of seeing a magical Disney princess-like castle, but for everyone else this National Monument is sure to impress as the entire “castle” seems to defy gravity.

The Verde Valley is an excellent central location for many explorations and adventures and this well preserved Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwelling definitely made our “to-do” list.

Built directly into a massive limestone cliff over 800 years ago, Montezuma’s Castle is neither a castle or related to the ride Montezuma’s revenge. So how did this five-story, 20 room dwelling become “Montezuma’s Castle”?

When the abandoned complex was first discovered in 1860, people believed its construction was linked to the Aztec emperor, Montezuma and was part of Aztec mythology. Research shows that the construction of the castle was actually built 40 years before the emperor was born.

Montezuma was in fact skillfully crafted by the Sinagua people around 1100AD as a way to protect themselves from natural disasters, enemies and other threats to their life and culture.

Visiting the national monument was interesting, but not as fascinating as it would have been to scale that 90 foot limestone cliff and explore inside the ruins, like visitors were able to do before 1951 (when they stopped that tour due to visitor safety and damage/looting to the ruins). Oh what I would have given to climb those rickety ladders and explore the 4,000 square feet of ancient Indian life. Alas, I was forced to stay grounded and could only longing look up and imagine what the experience would have been like.

President Teddy Roosevelt declared Montezuma a National Monument in 1906 and therefore the federal government is charged with protecting and preserving the castle and the 860 acres the monument encompasses.

It was a beautiful day and we enjoyed walking the tour, gazing up into the ruins and trying to imagine carrying groceries up to that condo complex and how mother’s must have been beside themselves raising small (precarious) children on the edge of a 90 foot cliff. We could also see how the Sinagua people chose the location due to its south facing sun exposure, exceptional views, nearby food and water source and seclusion. There were other dwellings spread out through the entire area as well as a diorama and highly informative museum. The museum even had a life size cut out of Teddy Roosevelt (or Robin Williams, we weren’t sure) but little one enjoyed having her picture taken with both of them!

As we sat soaking up the sun, admiring the daring architecture and building ingenuity, we also were treated with a beautiful hawk circling overhead, lizards scurrying about and the feeling of protection and isolation that the Sinagua families must have felt over 800 years ago.

The Totally Trailer Trio definitely recommends this as a day trip and Montezuma National Monument is linked with Tuzigoot National Monument (you buy one pass and you get into the other monument for free with your receipt! You can’t beat a two for one! There’s also plenty of RV and camping spots throughout the Verde Valley (we stayed at the nearby Thousand Trails), but there are many RV destinations to choose from!

http://www.nps.gov/moca/learn/historyculture/index.htm

About as close as you can get to Montezuma's Castle these days

Smiling on the outside, but pouting and wishing we could climb up there on the inside

That scary moment when you can't tell if it's you in a picture or your child!

A perfect day exploring Montezuma's Castle

Little one hanging out with Teddy Roosevelt 

A beautiful National Park in Camp Verde, Arizona

Camping and RVing with Teens (without the eye roll)!

Having a teenager usually means you are fluent in eye rolls, huffs and puffs and the idea of spending time with family can be met with some resistance.

Many teens have the FOMO disorder (aka: Fear of Missing Out Disorder), so how do you make a family camping trip cool, where for a few days they might put their phones/electronic devices down?

We've included some tips to help limit the distractions (without it feeling like the end of the world to your teen) that will maximize their sense of adventure, creativity, self confidence and stronger relationships with family members.

Get Them Involved-

Teens thrive off of a sense of belonging, so be sure to get them involved in as many aspects of the trip as possible.

    1. Planning the trip- One year, we went away for Christmas, so we let our "little one" help plan the trip. We let her do her own research about the area we were going to camp in and based upon her findings, we let her pick out some of the sights she wanted to see. We balanced it out by doing some of the normal "touristy attractions" and including some off the beaten path (free) adventures.
    2. Having responsibilities at the campsite- Are they aspiring chefs and want to help with cooking meals? Are the mechanically inclined and can help with jacks, stabilizers, RV hook-ups? Are they crafty, hands-on and like to build things (like campfires, DIY hand washing stations, putting the tent together)? Do they have too much energy, let them pound the stakes into the ground or run around gathering wood. Draw on their own natural abilities and strengths to make them a part of the team. Being involved alleviates boredom and downtime that might otherwise be spent on an electronic device!

Limit Cell Phone and Tablet Use-

Believe it or not, this is actually easier than it sounds. Once kids are working on a project, helping, hiking, biking, swimming or doing any type of exploring, it is amazing how sucked in they become. The more engaged they are, the less likely they are to be bored and checking their phone every minute. We affectionately refer to it as the "shiny ball syndrome". When there is something new, shiny and fun, it always captures their attention and takes them away from the normal cravings to incessantly text.

Let Them Do Something They Have Never Done Before-

Independence and curiosity should be the two terms that define the teenage years. Fortunately, camping and outdoor time create the perfect atmosphere to achieve both! Have they been in a cave, a mine, seen a bat in real life, gone horseback riding on the beach, driven an off road vehicle in the sand dunes, snorkeled, seen a waterfall? The coolness factor goes up quite a bit, when they have amazing stories and photos they can show off to their friends.

  

     

Capture the Memories- 

Let them bring their camera, journal, sketchbook or any method that allows them to capture these adventures. Maybe one day they will look back on that trip and think it was the "best trip ever". You never know what they will remember and what memories stand out the most. Give them a way to capture and reflect. I have even made memory books from our longer adventures. I catch our little one going back through them and laughing about the past!

Give Them Some Quiet Time-

Most teens have ridiculously busy schedules and rarely get time to "stop and smell the roses" or enjoy some free, quiet time. Depending on where you are camped, let them find a rock to climb and sit atop, a hammock to read or take a nap or their very own wooded area to explore (watch out for snakes though). A brief moment in time where they can breathe in fresh air, soak in the experience and be able to find some peace. 

Bring a Deck of Cards and Marshmallows-

Having a deck of cards is a fun way to hang out after dinner. I will usually find some mystery or ghost story specific to the area we are camped in and share it after dinner and while we are sitting around the campfire. It's a fun way to engage their thoughts and creativity and we usually end up creating our own mystery story about the area. As for the marshmallows...you can never go wrong with marshmallows and the bigger the better!

Bring a Few Comfort Items From Home-

No one likes to be really uncomfortable, especially growing and brooding teens! Make sure they bring they favorite pillow, most comfortable walking shoes, favorite snack or whatever makes them happy (and no, cell phones aren't included in this list)!

Plan Some Trip Where Other Teens and Families Might Be Staying-

If your teens see that there are other teens there, it might be a cool place after all! Plus, teens LOVE social interaction with their peers, so they might meet some really great new friends to.

Wherever you go, whatever you do, just remember you are making memories for your kids! You might even find that they start asking to go camping :)

Here's to making memories....

Sedona ATV Adventure Video

Come along with us on a muddy adventure through Sedona's back-country!

Keystone Cougar 28RBSWE (aka 28RBS) Totally Trailer Tour

Take a look inside our new rig!

Swansea Arizona Ghost Town Video

Come visit Swansea Ghost Town with us.....

Abandoned Poston War Relocation Camp Video

The Totally Trailer Trio presents our Poston War Relocation Camp Video :)

"Outlaws" in Sedona

The city of Sedona evokes many emotions from visitors. From the red and orange stained skyline, to the jagged rocks that seem to pierce the bright blue sky, to the calm and tranquil atmosphere…Sedona truly is a diamond in the rough.

One of the best features of Sedona is the ability to venture off on hiking trails, biking and off road trails to really experience the true beauty of Sedona’s back-country.

We were fortunate enough to find the friendly staff at Sedona ATV and rented the four- seat RZR for the day. Due to the snowy conditions, we could not take the Schnebly Hill road that we had our hearts set on exploring. Instead, we found ourselves on the Outlaw Trail and I’m so glad we did!

Before long, we felt like true outlaws fleeing the town confines to find ourselves in the middle of the wild west. Surrounded by jagged rocks, cacti, red dirt and washouts, this rough and tough trail was exciting to navigate and gave us a 360 degree, panoramic view of Sedona.

Sedona ATV provided us with all of the gear, a picture book and a “there is no way you can screw this up” map of the trail. They even gave us two blankets; however, the cold was so piercing that day, no amount of blankets could save us. The Totally Trailer Trio was so, ridiculously bundled up that we actually looked like bandits, which ended up befitting this rugged Outlaw Trail! When I say we were bundled, that might be an understatement, considering I had on four layers, a turtleneck, scarf and face cover, earmuffs and headband (under my helmet), long underwear, three pairs of socks inside my Columbia snow boots and four packets of hand warmers! I wore a whole department store that day and is was absolutely worth it. 

The trail consisted of steep rocky ledges (that required careful wheel placement), ancient red rock arroyos, desert-brush landscaping, Indian ruins and went through Sedona’s western canyons. Adding to the adventure of the day, it even delicately snowed on us near the Honanki Ruins.

The adventure also brought us to the Vultee Arch Trail and the famous Devil’s Bridge hike which are each their own mini adventures.

We had an expert driver (hubby) but no matter how careful we were, we still ended up caked in red clay mud that sprayed up the sides of the RZR and coated us like an art canvas. Speckled from head to toe, the splashes were a reminder of the fun we’d had that day.

Considering Sedona covers over 19 square miles of gorgeous countryside, there is no better way to see the land than cruising in an off-road vehicle. The ATV ride was an overload of the senses: feeling the bumps in the rugged road, seeing the richly pigmented landscape, experiencing the adrenaline rush of navigating rocky crevices and tasting the freedom of the great outdoors.

There is so much to see and do in Sedona and just when you think you’ve seen it all…you discover a new hidden gem. Totally Trailer invites you to get outdoors and get dirty in Sedona!

The Sedona area has a plethora of places to stay, eat, camp and is surrounded by some of the best and scenic RV camp spots.

Stay tuned for our Sedona Backcountry Video!!!

Our RZR chariot for the day and little one ready to get dirty!

Map and detailed picture book with "you can't screw this up directions" provided by Sedona ATV (by the way, we still took a wrong turn)!

Just getting started on the Outlaw Trail and the GoPro is ready for action front and center

The family of bandits on the Outlaw Trail is a little too realistic here!

Check out the different colors in this landscape, can you see the snow falling from that dark cloud in the background?

Awww...Outlaw Love

The texture, the colors and the formations are simply breathtaking out here in Sedona

parked out front of the Honanki Ruins Site (equipped with muddy blankets and all)

Passing the Honanki Heritage Site 

Red, green and blue...some of our favorite colors perfectly blended in nature

Live action selfie in Sedona

Granite Dells in Prescott, AZ are a feast for the eyes and the camera!

Just north of Prescott, Arizona there is a magical place with a spherical-like shoreline and tiny islands that beckon to be photographed. The deep blue water, green foliage and brown boulders of Watson Lake’s Granite Dells, create a feast for the eyes as well as a natural outdoor playground.

This unique geological formation eroded into unusually lumpy, rippled and stained boulders that are surrounded by two man-made reservoirs (Watson and Willow Lake).

The entire area is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream playground! The Granite Dells are surrounded by hiking and biking trails, picnic ramadas, BBQ’s, horse shoe pits, bouldering and rock climbing, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, migratory birds and seasonal camping.

From biking, bouldering or just taking in the view, Watson Lake is sure to impress. The panoramic view from above the lake is just as photogenic and the shoreline below. Walking the shoreline and clamoring over boulders at the water’s edge you can see many semi-submerged boulders that look like hippos lounging in the lake. The water is so calm that the reflections of the boulders dance across the water. The only movement is an occasional breeze or a flock of birds landing in the middle of the lake.

Visiting the Granite Dells could take you hours or days to explore. You can see the view from the upper parking lot in the comfort of your car, take a leisurely kayak through the reservoir, scale one of the boulders or take one of the many trails around the park.

Since we were visiting during winter, we did not have the option to kayak or camp, but we did spend the day exploring the shoreline, climbing boulders and taking many pictures of this geological wonder.

At an elevation of about 5,150 feet, the Granite Dells get snow and the Prescott area is known for their true four season climate. Whether the boulders are basking in sunlight or dusted with snow, Watson Lake is breathtaking any time of the year!

During summer months the city of Prescott has 19 dry camping spaces to camp at the Granite Dells park. For Rv's, trailers and other lodging, the Totally Trailer Trio recommends staying in Prescott or nearby Verde Valley. Happy bouldering!

http://cityofprescott.net/services/parks/parks/index.php?id=24

Gorgeous panoramic view at Watson Lake's Granite Dells

Looking out over the photogenic Granite Dells in Prescott, AZ

It was cold, but so worth the visit to Watson Lake

Hubby and little one taking a break on a water front boulder

Granite Dells selfie