UPDATE ADDED 1/11/18:

Camping at Buckeye Hills is no longer allowed.  There is a $6 fee for day use only.

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Thursday, February 25

The sunshine is bright as I stand over the Best Little Trailer’s sewer hose.  Bridget and Reggie wait inside the Perfect Tow Vehicle as the tanks empty into the dump station at Midland LTVA, northwest of Blythe, California.

Perfect day for moving camp. . .  Clear, blue sky,  the day is warm but not hot, very little wind . . . and it was time to hitch up and dump tanks.

The crew is fed, fat and happy as we roll toward Blythe.

Along the way, a big truck carries new hay bales where a fork lift neatly stacks them.  Recently cut alfalfa dries in the fields.

Lovekin Boulevard takes us through town to Interstate 10.  I power up the windows as we approach Carl’s, Jr. and drive on by.  So long, Blythe!

Up the ramp and we’re on our way, due east!

In a few minutes we cross the Colorado River and enter Arizona. . . Ehrenberg, Dome Rock, Quartzsite, Plomosa Pass (1,628 ft.) through the Plomosa Mountains . . . .

About 65 miles east of Quartzsite, I take the exit for Hovatter Road.

Hovatter runs north and south of the interstate and leads to boondocking sites.  You can follow it into the “back” of the Kofa Mountains, meaning the less-visited east side.  We may do that someday.  Not today.

Immediately off the interstate, I park the Perfect Tow Vehicle in a truck parking area.

Bridget and Reggie hop into the passenger seat, noses at the window.

They’re eager to be let out to explore and go potty.

I keep a keen eye for any hazards.  Truck areas are always littered with broken glass.  I’ve also amped up my snake-o-meter in response to several days of warm weather.

I can trust Bridget off-leash, even in situations such as this. 

She knows not to stray far from me or far from home.  Reggie runs around on his tether.  All business is taken care of, including a drink.  I pop the crew into the PTV.

Bridget and Reggie know the routine. 

They had the obligatory walk-about and now it’s time to settle into crew positions for the rest of the day’s journey.  Gosh, they’re such good, little travelers!

It isn’t long before the distinctive silhouette of Saddle Mountain comes into view. 

We keep on going past Tonopah.  When we reach the exit for Route 85 south to Gila Bend, we leave the interstate behind (I do so gladly, since Phoenix traffic is building up!) and we’re on the home stretch!

When we set out this morning, I didn’t know where we were going to camp.

Somewhere between Hovatter Road and Tonopah, I recalled reading and hearing about Buckeye Hills Regional Recreation Area.  Hmm . . . .  free camping . . . easy access . . . I’d like to try it.

The turn into Buckeye Hills is only about six miles south of I-10.

The road goes straight to a fork.  Turn left to go to a shooting range, turn right to go to a camping area.

Uh-oh . . . shooting range.  Well, it’s quiet right now.  Better find a spot far away, for Reggie’s sake.

The road is in very good condition.

It’s wide, hard-packed dirt.  High berms on each side are evidence of regular maintenance.  The berms also keep people from parking rigs willy-nilly and wrecking the place.

No electricity or water here, at the present time.  Rigs of all sizes — from tents to super-long Class As with slides — are perched on the rolling landscape.

The camping area consists of a loop and a dead end road.

There are shelters, picnic tables, walkways lined with rocks, and a toilet at the loop and at the very end of the dead end road.

These sites are closer together than I like.  However, I see rigs on a slightly elevated road and they’re positioned a good distance away from each other.

Of course, the PTV heads right up there, the BLT tagging along behind!

It’s soon apparent that the best sites are taken and nobody looks like they’re moving out today.  I slow the PTV to a crawl as I survey the berms for a break.

We don’t need a huge site.  Just an established site, something level that we can back into, putting the door and refrigerator vent facing east, if possible.  And with a pleasant view.

Bingo!

We slide right into this spot. 

With my shovel I scrape dirt from the front of one of the BLT’s tires, pull forward until the tire settles into the depression, and she’s level!

I set up a minimal, outdoor room because we probably won’t stay here long . . . one-half of the blue mat, a camp chair, and two doggie beds.  I don’t stake the mat because there’s no wind.  I can always do that later, if needed.

I walk Bridget and Reggie a short distance up and down the road and around our new home. 

They need to know where they are and what is in the vicinity. . . namely, a neighbor on each side, but not close.

I’m happy with this!  We had a good day of travel.  A straight shot across the desert, no problems, easy driving, not too far, just right!

And the best part of all?

Bridget can ride in her car!

rvsue

NOTE:  So far, no gunshots to bother the Reggie Man.

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