We arrive at Oak Flat on Sunday afternoon, November 30th.
As usual, I take advantage of stores and services that are available en route to a new camp. In this case, Bridget and I stop at the Wal-Mart in Claypool, Arizona (near Globe). Then we head west on Route 60. Also as usual, I’m excited about a new camp!
This is a big copper mining area.
Route 60 is called the Gila Pinal Scenic Highway. I guess it got that title due to the big mountains of boulders on both sides, or maybe the rocky cliffs that the road slices through, or maybe the humongous holes in the ground due to mining operations.
We climb to a summit named “Top of the World” where a tiny, tumble-down town sits and can’t be more than 6,000 feet if it’s a foot. I give the town credit for putting a positive slant on what they have.
On the other side of the mountain, we descend.
Of course, what else would we do? Fly?
Anyway . . . .
We soon arrive at the turn for Tonto National Forest’s hidden gem, Oak Flat Campground.
Uh-oh. This does not look promising.
Okay, let’s pause here for a moment of reflection.
I want to talk about camps. There are camps and then there are camps. Know what I mean?
There are what I think of as “glamour camps.” These are in campgrounds or boondocks where the scenery pops your eyes out. I’ve shown you lots of them over the past 3+ years. Our camp in 2013 near the Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, California, is an example.
Our front door view of Lone Peak
Then there are camps that are small in scope, but big on atmosphere. Cozy camps. Pretty camps. An example is the camp we made along the Tieton River in Washington in 2013.
A peaceful place for morning coffee
Sometimes a camp is desirable because it’s convenient. Any beauty found there is a bonus. I call those Handy-Dandy Camps. Quartz Flat along Interstate 90 near Superior, Montana, is a good example.
It was a long drive that hot day in 2013. The crew is worn out.
Those are the three categories of camps: Eye-popping Scenic, Cozy-Pretty, and Handy-Dandy.
In what category shall we place Oak Flat Campground?
Oak Flat Campground is . . . er . . . rustic. Let’s face it. The campground is old and has seen better days. To be blunt and maybe unfair — I’m giving you my first impression — it has an atmosphere of Shanty Town. Tarps are big here. Radios, too. Also groups of large, barking dogs, apparently the result of neglecting to spay/neuter. Campsites look tired and worn.
For those reasons, I choose to camp outside of the campground in a large, flat clearing.
I wouldn’t say this camp is Eye-Popping Scenic.
I like that I found a site away from boulders (rattlesnake homes) and the campground.
Can’t say it fits in the Cozy-Pretty category.
The site is spacious for Bridget’s wanderings though. (Photo taken at dusk.)
I guess it fits best in the Handy-Dandy category.
Even though there’s a mountain between here and Globe where the auto body shop is located, the drive is less than 30 minutes.
Speaking of the body shop . . .
Cobre Valley Motors Body Shop, Globe, Arizona
The Imperfect Tow Vehicle remains imperfect as I type this. Whereas the first replacement door (silver) turned out to have rust, the second replacement door (red) turns out to be dented on the inside.
I say to Duane, “What is it with the colored doors? I drive around and see all these Chevy Express vans and every one of them is white.”
He chuckles at this.
“I think that rusty door came from the East somewhere.”
“Gee, you’d think the salvage yard would look at the door before sending it,” I remark.
Oh well. As with anything involving a chain of people, all it takes to lower quality (or to cause delay) is one weak link. It’s okay. I can wait and return when the time is right.
Maybe there’s a reason for the delay . . .
Like seeing spectacular sunrises from our camp outside Oak Flat.
Every camp has something to make it memorable! (No photo enhancement)
rvsue
NOTE: The money reports (see header) for the months of May, June, and July of 2014 are posted!
THANKS FOR SHOPPING AMAZON FROM MY BLOG!
The Best Little Trailer is pretty in pink at sunrise.
Click here to shop Amazon now!
