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Large Boondocking Camp Party in Ocotillo Wells!

Spring brings camping trips, and camping trips mean fun, food and friends!

It's no secret that we love dry camping and boondocking, but we love it even more when we get to share it with friends and fellow camping enthusiasts.

Our church group got together for an "off the beaten path" weekend full of off road adventures, exploring, campfire tales and pot luck (with lots and lots cookies...no seriously, there were a lot of cookies there)!

Near the main turn off, we saw an out of place billboard marking the location of where the 1991 movie "Bugsy" was filmed and we found ourselves on a very long and very rutted out road along the outskirts of Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area. After twenty minutes of teeth chattering, we were nicely shaken (not stirred) and we arrived at our dusty destination.

Our home for the weekend consisted of a large circle of class A's, travel trailers, pop-ups, tents and fifth wheels. People of all ages crowded around this large circle and we had fun getting tours of everyone's "home".

By day, we were all explores, although we explored the vast desert in our own ways. Some chose to lounge around the camp, some went off on their quads and dirt bikes, while others (the totally trailer crew), chose to explore deep canyons, wind caves and ancient fossil beds!

By night, we huddled around an all consuming bonfire, swapped stories and ate a lot. There was a hefty line for the potluck which allowed me the opportunity to climb on top of our rig and get some overall shots of the happy campers.

Kids running and playing in dirt, teenagers huddled together having "important teen conversations", adults swapping RV stories and lots of laughter filled the night skies over Ocotillo Wells this weekend.

We met a lot of new people and we feel very blessed to have been a part of this adventure. Life is good, so share it!

Funny sign in the middle of the desert about the filming of the 1991 movie "Bugsy"

 Hubby and new friend, doing "Trailer Talk"

 A portion of our large circle of toys (Totally Trailer is the brightly glowing one with monster flag)

 Somebody got a new laser toy and we all had fun with it around the campfire...made for an awesome pic too! (p.s. those specks in the sky are actual stars..amazing night)

 Campfire Tales in Ocotillo Wells 

 There's always a line at the buffet!

Check out the view I have from up here of the sunsetting over Ocotillo Wells 

And of course, what is a camp site without a flag. In our case, it's a monster Welsh flag!

Because kids don't remember their best day of television......

The National Wildlife Federation reports that camping increases imagination, cognitive focus and leads to longer healthier lives!

A 2015 survey suggests that only 6% of kids play outdoors and yet the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend at least 60 minutes of unstructured and outdoor play.

Getting outside to hike, explore and camp is a perfect opportunity to feed your child's soul, developmental needs and form strong family bonds!

So get out there and go camping and RVing.....

Exploring Ice Age history in a Cavern 210 ft below the desolate Arizona desert!

The whole world is familiar with the mighty Grand Canyon, with over five million visitors every year. But many people don’t know that the Grand Canyon has over 1000 caves hidden in its grandiose majesty. Caves and dry caverns that are filled with extinct ice age treasures, just waiting to be explored!

Only 335 of those caves have been explored and discovered and the best place to see the largest dry cavern in the United States is at the Grand Canyon Caverns in Peach Springs, Arizona.

Another hidden gem off of the historic Route 66, the Grand Canyon Caverns offer a spectacular tour opportunity. From easy tours that are wheelchair accessible to down and dirty, crawling on your hands and knees, spelunking….these caverns are an awe inspiring adventure.

No longer do visitors have to be lowered down on a rope with a coal oil lantern to explore this fascinating underground playground (although I would have really-really liked to do that)!

210 feet below the earth’s surface an elevator at the Grand Canyon Caverns goes up and down 21 stories every thirty minutes, transporting daring visitors into the depths of the cave system. The tour allows you to explore an underground motel room, a 166 year old mummified bobcat, bomb shelter government supplies, delicate calcium formations and amphitheater-esque rooms.

A tour favorite is “Gertie”, the extinct giant ground sloth. The word giant does not even compare to how tall Gertie stands and the immense size of her claws. These claws were so large that she left sizeable claw marks in the cavern walls that can clearly be seen on the tour. Experts believe that she fell into the cave through an opening (directly above the claw marks) and attempted to climb up the side of the cavern wall. What must have been a continued desperate attempt to free herself, left a haunting tale of how this mighty creature’s bones were laid to rest in a tomb 210 feet below the surface.

Peach Springs has a wonderful RV park, small store, museum, diner, motel rooms and they offer horseback riding and other tours to the Grand Canyon as well. So much to see and do in this small “off the beaten path” town. Bring your family bring your RV and stay at the Grand Canyon Caverns. Go down under and explore Ice Age history in the desolate Arizona desert!

The Totally Trailer Trio recommends making this a “must see” stop on your next Route 66 adventure cruise.

Massive caverns and amphitheaters underground at Grand Canyon Caverns

Government supply for nuclear war 

Well-lit, fenced and paved walkway wind through the tour of the caverns

Fondly referred to as "snow balls" these amazing geological formations litter the cavern walls and ceilings

How's this for vaulted ceilings underground?

Where else can you see a perfectly preserved 166 year old bobcat but in the Grand Canyon Caverns?

Little one has fun winding through the caverns and taking in the history and beauty

The walkways venture deep underground to explore all of the cave system- Looking down on our descent

Looking back at another massive amphitheater cut-out makes me want to explore here longer 

The cave and tunnels are nicely lit and create a stunning visual effect

The famous "Gertie" and little one. Check out the rocks to the left of the light...All of those white streaks are claw marks from Gertie!

Highly recommend the Grand Canyon Cavern Tours off Historic Route 66 in Peach Springs, AZ!

Our cozy campsite at Grand Canyon Caverns RV Park!

Kauai, Hawaii exploring the "The Garden Isle" Adventure Video

Check out our adventure video from the Garden Isle of Kauai! So many fun things to see and do on this small Hawaiian Island!

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!