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!