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!

Triangle T Guest Ranch

After the Living Caverns, we continued to head East to Dragoon, Arizona where we found ourselves at Triangle T Guest Ranch. This ranch was recently renovated thanks to a show called "Hotel Impossible". It was a real ranch with RV hook-ups, horse stables, Private cabins and bungalows, hiking/biking trails and some amazing grounds filled with massive boulders and great rock formations.

Triangle T Ranch

Our Campsite up against the boulders

The rock looked like a baseball glove

Campfire in the wilderness

We specifically chose this place for the rugged horseback riding in the picturesque setting. A certain little girl was so excited and loved her trail ride. She had a horse named "Chiquita" which was perfect for her. Mommy had a gorgeous horse named "Cisco" and Hubby had a feisty guy named "Romeo".

The Three Amigos

There was no real trail, as we wandered around the acreage surrounding the ranch on a perfectly sunny day....needless to say, it was a great adventure! After the ride, we walked around the ranch (which was deserted in the middle of the week) and admired the old stagecoach, played a little horseshoes and spent more time bonding with the horses and rock climbing. Our campsite was tucked up against a big boulder that had a split down the middle that we liked exploring. That night led to a big campfire and glo-stick dancing....Great time all around! http://www.azretreatcenter.com/ (Triangle T info)