Flock Yeah!!

As a birthday gift to myself, I purchased a 2020 Roofnest Sparrow EYE rooftop tent to add to my camping repertoire. This explains the title of my blog post, as I am now considered a member of the Roofnest Flock.

After giving car camping a go in September, I knew I needed a bit more room than what my compact Crosstrek could provide. Don't get me wrong, I love my Crosstrek and it worked well as a camper, but it is a bit cramped for sleeping. I have been eyeing rooftop tents for over a year, and the 2020 Roofnest Sparrow EYE has all of the features I was looking for:

• Lower cost (compared to similar clam shell RTs that are available)
• Lightweight (under 150 lbs)
• Made in the US (updated 11/15 - these tents are made in China)
• Clam shell design
• Aerodynamic profile for better MPGs
• Enough height to allow me to sit upright or get up on my knees
• Allows all bedding, including pillows to be stored when the tent is closed
• No hardware to install (with the exception of the hardware to mount the tent to my racks)
• Ladder included
• Great customer support

I could go on, but those are the key selling points for me. An added bonus is that the tent was designed to allow for installation of a solar panel, and includes an area at the rear of the roof for storing loose gear in the supplied bag.

Here it is just after installation.

I am so grateful to my lovely daughter, Cristina, and her boyfriend Jeff, without whom I would not have been able to get it up there and locked down.

I was itching to test out this new piece of gear and chose the Lost Dutchman State Park located at the base of the legendary Superstition Mountains southeast of Phoenix near the town of Apache Junction. 

On my very first trip to Arizona in February of 1980, I purposely stayed at a motel in Apache Junction even though it was 15 miles from the company I was visiting, as I had heard through word of mouth that the AJ area (as it is locally called) had some pretty special geography. In 1980, there was no Internet, so all I had to go on were AAA maps and guides. When I pulled into my motel after a late night plane flight, I checked in wondering what the area looked like. Well, let me tell you, when I awoke the next morning and pulled out of the parking lot, I was stunned at what I saw!

The picture above was taken with my phone and doesn't do these mountains justice, but Google them and you'll be astounded at the plethora of beautiful images people have taken. I took this photo from my campsite and enjoyed this same view from the large back window of my rooftop tent.

Room with a view

Campsite set up

Good morning!

It was a bit chilly overnight (low of 43), but I was nice and warm. The mattress supplied with the tent is only 3", but it was really comfortable. I was able to use a fitted sheet and make up the bed like I would at home, using my 30 to 50 degree sleeping bag as a comforter. It was so nice to be able to sleep like I would at home. Roofnest states the tent is for two people, but I think it would be a bit tight, but doable. They do offer larger width tents in case you're interested.

So there you have it! I'm all set in the camping department now. I'm still planning on using Clutch Cargo for local camping trips, but having the Roofnest opens up the entire country for me and my plan for 2021 is to take longer road trips exploring the roads less traveled. If Covid is still a major issue, I'll restrict my travels to the state of Arizona, which offers many wonderful Spring and Summer destinations, so stay tuned!!

Birthday Getaway to Picacho Peak State Park

 Ahh... Picacho Peak State Park. One of my all-time favorite places in Arizona and it's only 20 miles from my home. Picacho Peak holds the distinction of being the location of the western-most conflict of the Civil War known as "The Battle of Picacho Pass".

A little history on the Civil War skirmish

Thankfully, the monument above was not erected to glorify either the Confederate or Union factions, but rather, it was placed to honor the Mormon Battalion who marched through this area in December of 1846 on their way to California during the war with Mexico on the longest Infantry march on record. This battalion was the first to raise the American flag in Tucson.

As a treat for my birthday, I reserved a campsite for the 27th through the 29th, and couldn't have chosen better days as the weather was absolutely perfect! As most anyone knows, it can get a bit toasty in my region of Arizona during the summer, and 2020 has proved to be the hottest on record. That being said, you can't complain about daytime temps in the mid-60s at the end of October. What a nice relief from all of the heat we had.

View of the "peak" from my campsite

One of the interesting things (at least to me) about this area is that the English translation of Picacho literally means "Pointed Peak". So, the name of this state park is technically Pointed Peak Peak State Park. LOL! Everytime I pass by Picacho, as I call it, I think this to myself. That's what I get for being a Technical Writer/Editor for multiple decades. I can't help myself!

For this trip, I used my trusty little cargo camper conversion, Clutch Cargo, and he proved to keep me safe, secure, and warm as the nights were in the upper 30s. I didn't have to worry about critters trying to sleep with me or steal anything like my last ground tent adventure in August.

There's no place like home (away from home) :)

I walked up from my site to capture this sweeping desert view with my trusty Clutch in the background.

Speaking of critters, other than a wide variety of bird life, the only real mammals I observed were Harris's Antelope Squirrels who kept me company off and on during my stay. They are so adorable!! They look quite a bit like a cross between a Chipmunk and a Ground Squirrel, with a body length of approximately 8.5 to 10 inches.

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

One of my camping traditions is to build a small Cairn at the entrance of my campsite. Here's my Picacho contribution.

My trip ended all too soon, but I've already reserved my campsite for my next adventure, which will take place at Lost Dutchman State Park in mid-November. I'll be testing out my latest acquisition, a Roofnest Sparrow EYE rooftop tent!! So, stay tuned for that!

If You Can't Stand the Heat (Part II)

True to my word, I was able to make it back to my beloved Mt. Graham (a.k.a Pinaleño Mountains) to round out my summer camping.

This time I chose another campsite (5), which features a three-sided shelter that is reminiscent to those found in the Adirondack Mountains. I was tempted to use it as a garage, as it appeared to be the perfect size for my Crosstrek. 😛

I brought along my Pop-up Pod to provide me with an in-camp restroom. The Shannon Campground has several vault-style toilets, but having a Porta-Potty of my own was money well spent (which wasn't much 👍). The pod also doubles as a place to change clothes or shower if desired. 

Another change to this visit is that I camped in my car instead of a ground tent. I built a low sleeping platform and my car is just long enough to allow me to stretch out. The weather during the day was in the upper 60s, but the nighttime temps dropped into the low 40s, so having the car provided me with a nice warm place to sleep, plus the critters couldn't mess with me like they did last time.

Site 5 backs up to Marijilda Creek, which runs North to South through the campground. Even in mid-September it still had running water, which is always a nice addition.

(View of Marijilda Creek looking North)

(Looking up to my campsite from Marijilda Creek)

Even though Fall was technically just a week or so away, the local flora was not yet experiencing any color changes. I did see a few trees on the way up the mountain that were beginning to show signs, but in the campground, the only evidence were the wild Geraniums, whose leaves change to a brilliant deep shade of red.

Something fun I like to do when hiking or camping is to build a "Cairn", which is a grouping of stones, typically used to mark a special site or trail route. I took advantage of a large flat boulder that was in my site.

It will be interesting to see if my cairn is still present on my next visit and whether anyone decided to add to it.

I couldn't verify this, but according to someone I spoke to in camp, who has been coming to this campground for 30 years, that may have been built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. It has all the markings of such a build, with lots of stone walls and steps and two three-sided shelters, but I'm pretty sure the campground is at least 60+ years old, based on the sign you encounter when entering. That's the Smokey I grew up with -- a bit old school and not so modern.

Here's a URL to an ad campaign housed at the Smithsonian from the 50s:

Be Careful With Matches, With Smokes, With Any Fire

(Not to worry, Smokey, there was no fire ban in effect, 

and I made sure to douse my fire before leaving camp)

I have one more chance to camp at Mt. Graham next week, as the weather is still staying quite warm at night for this time of year, but I think I'm ready to head to a local lake and get some kayaking and camping in for a change. Stay tuned...

If You Can't Stand the Heat...

 ...get out of the kitchen!!!

Phew! It's no secret how hot it can get in parts of Arizona, and the part I live in is no exception. Casa Grande tends to be about 5 degrees cooler on average than the Phoenix-metro area, but anything over 102 is just too hot (for man and beast, as my late Mother used to say). 

July and August this year have had many, many consecutive days of 110+, and at some point, I need a break. I've been cooped up for months due to the Pandemic, but it is possible to get out there and keep your distance from people, and the best place I know in all of Arizona to cool off is beautiful Mt. Graham.

From my home, getting to Mt. Graham is an easy 3.5 hour drive southeast along I-10, taking me through Tucson to Willcox. Just past Willcox, a short drive to Highway 366 takes you from 100+ degrees to a cool and breezy 75 degrees! Year after year, I have been able to count on the mid-70 degree temps of Mt. Graham and make at least one trip there each summer to escape the heat.

Mt. Graham is the northernmost Sky Island of a group of mountains that start in Mexico. Here in southern Arizona you'll find elevations up to 11,000 feet with old growth Aspens, Spruce, and Fir trees. You just might think you made a wrong turn at Albuquerque and ended up in Colorado! 😀 

My favorite campground is situated between two high ridges at 9100 feet in elevation. The Shannon Campground is small, quiet, and just what the doctor ordered. My daytime high was 75, with a comfortable 51 for the overnight low. Ahhhh! Heavenly. I hope to make it back one more time this summer before the temps start to dip in early Fall.

My, How Time Flies...

...when you’re having fun?

Seriously, I can’t believe it has been FOUR years since my last post! I need to do something about that. I’m sitting here thinking back over the past four years and I know why I have been silent. I have been contemplating life way too much. Here’s why.

In October of 2015 my elderly mother came to live with me full-time. In a nutshell, caring for her was the hardest work I’ve ever done in my life. She made it for a little over a year before succumbing to 70 years of cigarette smoking in December of 2016. Honestly, her lungs finally gave out. Thankfully, due to end-of-life laws, I was able to help my mother make her life exit in a peaceful and comfortable way. That being said, watching your mother’s life drain away before you can have a profound effect on how you view your own mortality.

My previous blog post was on New Year’s Eve of 2016, just a few weeks after my mom passed. Fast-forward to today and I am retired from my former work life and trying to make the most out of the years I have left. To catch up, here’s a list of some of the things I’ve done since December 2016:

• 2/2017 - Moved to a smaller town
• 4/2017 - Visited Painted Rocks Petroglyph site
• 8/2017 - Visited Monument Valley, Mesa Verde, and toured the Alpine region of Ouray, Colorado 
• 2/2018 - Formally retired after 40+ years of corporate life
• 8/2018 - Visited Montezuma Well, Sedona, Sunset Crater National Park, Wupatki National Monument, and Walnut Canyon National Monument
• 11/2018 - Visited Tonto National Monument
• 2/2019 - Visited Picacho Peak State Park
• 5/2019 - Visited Meteor Crater, and the region in and around Santa Fe, New Mexico
• 7/2019 - Started converting a 5x8 cargo trailer to a camper (aka Clutch Cargo)
• 6/2020 - Maiden camping trip with Clutch Cargo at Patagonia Lake

When not traveling, I spent time on day trips, updates to my backyard, numerous home improvements, and visited family in California on several occasions.

So, now we’re up to date. The current pandemic situation has made things interesting, and thanks to kindred spirits on YouTube, I have been inspired to get out there (safely, of course) whenever possible. Going forward, I will be sharing more of my exploits here in my blog as well as Instagram, so stay tuned. 🤓

Daytrippin' to Boyce Thompson Arboretum

I can't think of a better to ring out the old year than a day trip to Boyce-Thompson Arboretum in Superior, AZ. It was a cool gray rainy Winter day, but I hardly noticed.
The first attraction encountered on the Main Trail is the small man-made lake that I believe was used to provide water to the Picketpost House owned by Col. William Boyce Thompson. I didn't see it when I took the photo, but if you look closely, you'll see a reflection of a woman's profile in the lake, complete with eyelashes and poofy hair.

After passing the lake, the Main Trail winds down to Queen Creek Canyon. Even though it's technically Winter, the Cottonwood trees provided some beautiful fall-like color.

Once at the bottom of the canyon, Queen Creek was flowing more like a river thanks to the plentiful rain received the previous night. Something about this particular view of the creek with the Date Palms in the background reminds me of an oasis you might find in the Middle East.

A beautiful natural archway created by hikers over many decades hangs over the trail next to the creek.

The Aloe Vera plants and the Mastic Tree berries provided a bit of color against the rocky terrain.

While strolling through the Sonoran Desert Garden, a stunning view of the nearby mountains can be seen. At the entrance to this part of the garden is a Native American Mortar stone, and along the way I came across a heart-shaped cactus pad while I was actually looking for a heart-shaped rock. My daughters and I have a tradition of looking for heart-shaped rocks or other objects while out in nature.

When I began writing this post, I couldn't believe that it was only my second post for 2016, as well as the last! It's been quite a challenging year for me and I'm hoping that 2017 will have better things in store.

Happy New Year!

Arizona Ties

My Connection to Henry Clay Hooker and the Sierra Bonita Ranch

Henry Clay Hooker (1828-1907)

Henry Clay Hooker at the Sierra Bonita Ranch in his later years

Born in New Hampshire in 1828, Henry Clay Hooker (Jr.) started life as an entrepreneur at a young age. After first relocating to Hangtown (now known as Placerville) in California and working in the mercantile trade, by the 1860s he had moved West to the Arizona Territory and was engaged in supplying beef and other products to military posts and Indian agencies. He realized the need to expand and stabilize and to concentrate on the southeast corner of the Arizona Territory, where several forts and the new formed Chiricahua Apache Reservation were located.

In 1873, Hooker selected lush grassland near Fort Grant for his headquarters and named it Sierra Bonita for the stunning views of the nearby Pinaleño Mountains. His investment represented a turning point in the territorial livestock industry brought about by his concentration on purchasing the highest quality livestock of heavier weight and survivability. He introduced Hereford cattle to Arizona. He also reaped financial gains by breeding fine carriage horses and draft animals for the freighting trade. By 1878, the Sierra Bonita was a great ranch covering 620 square miles. With the mining boom at Tombstone, a new market opened up for higher quality beef. His wide ranging businesses were instrumental to the development of Willcox.

Progressive and flamboyant, he wore a suit even on the range and expected his family and guests to dress for dinner. At age seventy-eight, he was still taking an active role in scheduling roundups and looking after cattle sales. Henry Clay Hooker died in 1907. His descendant, Jesse Hooker Davis still operates the Sierra Bonita, Arizona's oldest continuously operated family ranch.

(Note: The preceding paragraphs were taken from Wikipedia and slightly modified)

The Connection - Diana Marie Rockwell

My paternal grandmother, Diana Marie (Rockwell) Ball, was born in Montour, Tama County, Iowa in 1882. At a very young age, she moved with her parents, George Harris Rockwell and Bessie M. (Swift) Rockwell to Willcox, Arizona. After moving to Arizona, Diana’s parents had two more children, Lillia and George Russell, who were born in 1885 in Willcox (making them fraternal twins). My great-grandfather, George Harris Rockwell, was a Horseman and Blacksmith and was the brother of Henry Clay Hooker’s wife, Elizabeth T. (Rockwell) Hooker. Elizabeth’s father was Peter King Rockwell, who introduced his daughter to Henry Clay Hooker while they were living in Placerville (Hangtown), CA. I suspect that my grandmother and her family actually lived on the Sierra Bonita Ranch until their move to California.

In 1901, Henry Clay Hooker wrote a letter to my grandmother Diana regarding a wedding gift of a horse. Diana and my grandfather, Grover Cleveland (Wright) Ball, were married in 1902. My father, Allen Louis Ball had gained possession of this letter after his mother's death and I recall looking at it many times when I was a young girl. Unfortunately, we believe the letter to be lost, although I recall the Sierra Bonita Ranch letterhead with Hooker’s signature and the general content.

For years, I have been fascinated with this story and on a whim in 1980 while in Arizona on business, I made a personal trek to find the Sierra Bonita. I was successful at finding the ranch, but at that time, I had no idea of its significance to Arizona and the cattle industry and that I may somehow be related to Henry Clay Hooker’s wife and children.

Several years ago, I purchased a book on Henry Clay Hooker written by Lynn R. Bailey, and learned of the Rockwell connection. This reignited my interest and in 2009, I joined ancestry.com and began my attempt to finally make the connection between Hooker's wife and my grandmother. At that time I was not able to find substantial evidence. However, I recently renewed my membership and have been able to fill in quite a few of the blank with regards to my paternal family, and happily, on January 4, 2016, I finally made that connection. Thanks to Census records and other reputable sources, I now know that Elizabeth T. (Tewksbury) (Rockwell) Hooker was my great-great aunt and that Henry Clay Hooker was my great-great uncle by marriage, which makes me a distant cousin of the current generation running the Sierra Bonita.

I am elated to finally close the chapter on the mystery surrounding the wedding gift letter that the Arizona Cattle Baron, Henry Clay Hooker, wrote to my grandmother all those years ago. To now realize that my grandmother probably lived and played on the Sierra Bonita Ranch as a young child and was personally acquainted with such an important figure in Arizona history is the stuff of legends. I now resonate with all of those ancestry.com commercials I've seen over the years where people have made similar connections. It really is exciting and satisfying to learn who your ancestors really were. I never knew my grandmother Diana, as she passed away several years before I was born, but thanks to the wonders of the Internet and ancestry.com, I now feel a much closer and more personal connection to her and my Hooker relatives.