Boondocking near Wickenburg, Arizona
Boondocking near Wickenburg, Arizona
We pulled up stakes, or at least the RV jacks, on Friday and headed for Wickenburg. We needed to be a little closer to Phoenix for business reasons, and this is close enough. LOL. We are about 50 miles west of Phoenix, and just a few miles from Wickenburg. Wickenburg is just a small town, although it’s bigger than the last time I was here. We found a spot to boondock, thanks to the internet. Our spot is not as great as the last one, but the scenery is pretty, and there are lots of birds, including a ton of quail. The ground is nice on the dogs feet, since it’s mostly sand or soft dirt, and no small cactus.
Yesterday, we took off down the trail right outside the trailer to see what we could see.
We realized while hiking that there are trails everywhere! You could just hop from trail to trail and hike the whole day.
It’s very green here, flowers and grass and all kinds of plants. These yellow poppies are everywhere.
We are higher in elevation too, so there are a lot of saguaro cactus. These are so awesome!! I have been doing some reading to learn more about them.
Saguaro cactus are between 75 and 100 years old before they grow their first arm. Then after that, no one is really sure how soon they grow more. It all depends on were they are, and how much water is available for them.
This little “baby” saguaro is about a foot tall. So he is about 20 years old. Imagine!! The saguaro need a host plant to help them get started in life. One reason you will find them growing right in an ironwood tree, or other bush.
There are also a lot of yucca plants here, some of them are very big. Too bad they aren’t flowering right now.
Prickly pear cactus are everywhere too. The leaves on these can sometimes grow heart shaped, I love that!
And this is another yellow flower we found on our walk. We only saw one or two of these, but they sure are pretty.
This has been a good spot. Close to town if we need it, but quite and remote otherwise.
Beautiful! And Roxy sure knows how to travel :-)
Ya, I have it pretty good. Age comes with some perks. BOL
Love that shot of Roxy in the backpack! Looks like a stuffed dog at first! Don’t run into or fall onto any of those cacti!
Oh we are careful, these cacti can be mean!
Looks fabulous and we would so chase a Jackrabbit or two. Have a marvellous Monday.
Best wishes Molly
The thing is, those rabbits are bigger than ME.
Call us city folks but mom would never go walking there she is too scared she’d see a snake. It is beautiful though and we wonder how you don’t get lost and hope you wear sunscreen! Love Dolly
The snakes are hibernating right now, as it’s winter. So no worries there. We don’t get lost because there are good landmarks, plus Torrey would lead us home anyway. BOL
That cacti photo is so pretty. We had no idea they had to be so old to grow like that. How cool! I think I would be with Torrey chasing the jackrabbits. I sure hope you enjoy your spot. It looks very beautiful.
*Cairn cuddles*
Oz
The only problem with chasing the rabbits, is you could run head long into a coyote. Not good.
fantastic pics Mary! I’m fasinated with Cacti. they are so strange but wonderful and very interresting. any insects there? Like no seeums?
This makes me want to visit Arizona and walk the trails. My ma loves cacti. She used to have many plants but once Jenny Sue (Sissy Spaniel) went blind , she had to rehome the plants for safety reasons. The plants were too huge to elevate in plant stands. Can’t wait to see more of your trip.
It is nice to see all the different cacti. We just keep a safe distance.
Yes keep those coyotes at bay!!!!
I LOVE your photos!! I would give anything to be able to go to half the places you do and see the beauty that you do! I am so glad I follow your blog and get to witness your hikes and your finding etc…
Thats interesting info about the catus growing its first arm at such an old age!! My mother passed on her love of cactus to me, I think they are super unique and I love the flower shaped ones!
((husky hugz frum our pack))
I’m so glad you enjoy following our blog. I love to hear that people enjoy the new places, and the photos I take.
That is beautiful scenery!
Great backpack your mom has there Roxy…you can just ride along instead of having to walk! Looks like beautiful country.
Interesting scenery. Fantastic pictures. Love you share all these interesting things with us. Have a great trip.
Really lovely pictures. And there is something to be said for touring in a backpack – certainly keeps you out of harms way with the coyotes!
Yes. That’s one reason I live traveling in my backpack.
Looks like a great area to explore!
Great photos I love the backpack, I could do with a change of scenery.
Sheba.
What a great adventure! Be careful around those cactus : )
Ugh Coyotes! Please be careful! Great to see sunshine and flowers!
Thanks for sharing the website, if my husband ever finally retires we plan to be old ‘hippies’ and travel in an RV/modified van/ or whatever. Kinda envious right now :)
Maybe we will run into you. That would be fun!
Wow, a hundred years old! Nature is so awesome. Except for the annoying jackrabbits, I’m glad you all had a good time. :)
Lovely scenery. Hope the rabbits and quail don’t drive Torrey mad. Mr. N would go crazy!
That looks like a wonderful place especially since we are about to go back into the deep freeze. :)
Poor Torrey. She’s just looking for a little fun.
Thanks for sharing your adventures with us, Roxy. I loved the warm weather pictures.
That looks so fun!
Nola
Roxy sure does travel in style. What a great place to camp and hike. Love the pics!
–Woofs (and purrs) from Life with Dogs and Cats.
Wow, what a lovely spot. I’ve never seen a saquaro cactus in person, and I want to. I had no idea that they lived so long and grew so slowly!
Flowers – wow!
Love saguaros! Those heart shaped prickly pears are cool! Roxy looks SO cute in the backpack!
Hey Guys
I always love hearing about where you are, you’re always having adventures!
I’m curious, how do you stay online so much? Do you have wifi in the campgrounds or do it through your phone? Just wondering :)
I hope you’re having a fun day,
Your pal Snoopy :)
Awww… such beautiful pictures… just becareful with the Saguaro cactus they come alive at night!!! LOL
I can see your head poking out of the bag, Roxy ;)
When you are out in a place where there are tons of trails, are they marked? When you hike them, presuming they aren’t marked, do you mark your directions yourself, or do you carry a GPS?
BTW, the pictures are totally cool.
None of these trails are marked. We rarely hike in places were they are. I don’t carry a gps, the hubby has a great gps in his head. Mine is pretty good too.
Thanks for the info on the Saguaro. Such amazing things. And how cool that the prickly pear sometimes grows heart shaped. Love that you get to ride in the backpack Roxy!