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August 30, 2010, a Monday
Tucson (BLM) to near Sedona, Arizona, USA
— Moved down the road
We got up around our normal time and I had my usual breakfast. I did some computer work as we took advantage of the fast Verizon Broadband Access signal and cool morning temperatures. We prepped the RV to move, hooked up the Jeep, and got underway around 10:30.
We went to a Super K (gas station) in Tucson to fill up the RV and Jeep at $2.439/gal. We got underway around 11:10 and headed west on I-10.
I listened to an episode of Car Talk and J went up to the bunk to rest. I had Clif Bars for lunch while driving.
We went to the Trader Joe's in Tempe around 1:05, and it was very conveniently located near the interstate. I went inside and picked up some Clif Bars and Charles Shaw wine while J went online in the RV.
Then we went to a BevMo! to pick up some supplies.
Then we went to the REI in Tempe around 2:20. I went inside and J started to marinate a flatiron steak. I picked up a 48 fl oz (1.4l) Nalgene bottle so I can store a full batch of Toddy Cold Brew System coffee concentrate and also a small bottle of Dr. Bronner's Baby & Sensitive Skin soap to try because I think REI is discontinuing my favorite Campsuds soap.
We went to the nearby Arizona Mills Mall so J could go into the AT&T Store to pick up a free AT&T 3G MicroCell device. It creates a small 3G cell and attaches to the internet via a DSL or cable connection. J plans to eBay it. I stayed in the RV and washed my new Nalgene bottle. It was about 98°F (37°C) outside, and J was miserable. We were both looking forward to getting out of the heat.
We went to a Fry's Food & Drug in Phoenix around 3:40 to top off the RV at $2.619/gal and to pick up some last-minute groceries. While Fry's Food & Drug is part of the Kroger chain, our King Soopers (also part of Kroger) club card didn't allow us to get a discount on the gas like we usually can.
We went to a WalMart in Phoenix around 4:35 to pick up some Cutter Advanced Spray Picaridin-based insect repellant. One of my bat photo tour participants had some and we tried it and liked it. It has several advantages compared to DEET: it doesn't have the oily feel, it's practically odorless, and it doesn't dissolve plastic. Unfortunately, WalMart didn't carry it. Later when I did some research online, I saw that the spray contains only 7% Picaridin which doesn't provide much protection against mosquitoes. Something with 15-20% Picaridin is recommended for mosquito protection comparable to DEET, and the Repel Sportsmen Formula spray has 20% Picaridin. We got underway around 4:55 and continued north on I-19.
I listened to another episode of Car Talk.
We went to Wendy's in Camp Verde around 6:30 for dinner. I got a Bacon Cheeseburger combo and J got a Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger and Jr-sized fries.
We went to the Distant Drums RV Park about two miles up I-17 to dump and take on water. We had been planning to go to a Texaco at that exit with a free dump station, but it was no longer there so we ended up paying $10 at the RV park. We got underway around 7:50.
We went back to AZ-260 and then took AZ-89A towards Sedona. We turned onto a Forest Service road and ...
Went to our favorite boondocking spot in the Coconino National Forest. We were in place and leveled by around 9:00. I did some computer work and enjoyed the fast Verizon Broadband Access signal.
We went to a Super K (gas station) in Tucson to fill up the RV and Jeep at $2.439/gal. We got underway around 11:10 and headed west on I-10.
I listened to an episode of Car Talk and J went up to the bunk to rest. I had Clif Bars for lunch while driving.
We went to the Trader Joe's in Tempe around 1:05, and it was very conveniently located near the interstate. I went inside and picked up some Clif Bars and Charles Shaw wine while J went online in the RV.
Then we went to a BevMo! to pick up some supplies.
Then we went to the REI in Tempe around 2:20. I went inside and J started to marinate a flatiron steak. I picked up a 48 fl oz (1.4l) Nalgene bottle so I can store a full batch of Toddy Cold Brew System coffee concentrate and also a small bottle of Dr. Bronner's Baby & Sensitive Skin soap to try because I think REI is discontinuing my favorite Campsuds soap.
We went to the nearby Arizona Mills Mall so J could go into the AT&T Store to pick up a free AT&T 3G MicroCell device. It creates a small 3G cell and attaches to the internet via a DSL or cable connection. J plans to eBay it. I stayed in the RV and washed my new Nalgene bottle. It was about 98°F (37°C) outside, and J was miserable. We were both looking forward to getting out of the heat.
We went to a Fry's Food & Drug in Phoenix around 3:40 to top off the RV at $2.619/gal and to pick up some last-minute groceries. While Fry's Food & Drug is part of the Kroger chain, our King Soopers (also part of Kroger) club card didn't allow us to get a discount on the gas like we usually can.
We went to a WalMart in Phoenix around 4:35 to pick up some Cutter Advanced Spray Picaridin-based insect repellant. One of my bat photo tour participants had some and we tried it and liked it. It has several advantages compared to DEET: it doesn't have the oily feel, it's practically odorless, and it doesn't dissolve plastic. Unfortunately, WalMart didn't carry it. Later when I did some research online, I saw that the spray contains only 7% Picaridin which doesn't provide much protection against mosquitoes. Something with 15-20% Picaridin is recommended for mosquito protection comparable to DEET, and the Repel Sportsmen Formula spray has 20% Picaridin. We got underway around 4:55 and continued north on I-19.
I listened to another episode of Car Talk.
We went to Wendy's in Camp Verde around 6:30 for dinner. I got a Bacon Cheeseburger combo and J got a Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger and Jr-sized fries.
We went to the Distant Drums RV Park about two miles up I-17 to dump and take on water. We had been planning to go to a Texaco at that exit with a free dump station, but it was no longer there so we ended up paying $10 at the RV park. We got underway around 7:50.
We went back to AZ-260 and then took AZ-89A towards Sedona. We turned onto a Forest Service road and ...
Went to our favorite boondocking spot in the Coconino National Forest. We were in place and leveled by around 9:00. I did some computer work and enjoyed the fast Verizon Broadband Access signal.