Empire Landing and Crossroad BLMs

He who smiles in a crisis has found someone to blame.

 

It seems we always tend to race forward to what we figured would be the farthest winter distance.  Until we get there we’re still on a mission.  Had we not been on a mission we might have hung around the Palm Springs area for quite a bit more time.  The park was wonderful and the site was super. 

Roadrunners wander around the park in Palm Springs.

However, we still needed to get new license tags on Terry’s Jag (aka RZR).  We were close.  It was only about 140 miles to the Elks Lodge in Parker, Arizona.  We could have stayed at the nice Wal-Mart there for as long as we actually had figured we’d be in town but with electricity we’d have air conditioning in the afternoon.  We pulled into the outside side at the Elks.  Had we remembered it was Halloween we probably would have moved inside.  I’m not sure that would have mean less noise at midnight but at least Terry might have slept better.  After the last time we had several items stolen off our trailer, he’s become just a tad paranoid.  However, now we have chains and locks on everything and not just bungee cords someone can cut.

Road from Palm Springs to Parker not overly exciting.

Even though we didn’t stay at the Wal-Mart in Parker we did have to drive there and check it out.  Snowbirds are definitely heading south.  We know.  The parking lot was filled with them and their trailers, motorhomes or 5th wheels.     They say the parking is free but we know it’s not.  We think it’s probably about the most expensive place to spend the night.  Why do we say that?  We say that because after pulling in we usually spend a bunch stocking up in their store.  However, we still love the quick stopover.

After our licensing task was behind us, we made an appointment to have a complete service done on the new toy.  After all, the JAG (aka RZR) was a used vehicle with some miles on it.  We wanted it serviced and wanted to make sure it was in good mechanical condition.  So, as much as we hated to depart with the $$$$, we figured it was what we needed to do.  We made an appointment for the following morning.

Crossing the Colorado River between California and Arizona.

With the drop off taken care of we were off to check out a few local camping areas on the California side of the river.   You never know what you might discover.  We had already found a park on the Arizona side of the river we really liked.  The Pirate’s Den is new,   We loved, loved it except there were no long term riverfront sites available there.  However, we could get one for a week with a cabana for $360. We opted out.

Emerald Cove RV Park

Back across the bridge and over the Colorado River we drove.  Parker Dam Road follows the river to the dam and then crosses back over on the Arizona side.  There are quite a few RV parks along the way.  We had visited the Emerald Cove RV park.  It’s a nice park and part of the Colorado Adventure park group.  We don’t have a membership in this park but can book it using our Preferred RPI card.  We did discover that the land (all of it or just some of it??) was leased from the Bureau of Land Management.  If you enter the park from the northern end, a sign indicates it’s part of the Desert Riviera and BLM..  We were surprised with that.

 

The problem with some campgrounds in this area is that cell phone coverage often goes to No Signal.  For us that could mean not only no phones but no internet.  Normally, we like to at least test our phones before we book any long-term stay.

OHV Area

Just down the road is more BLM land and  a couple OHV (Off Highway Vehicle) loading areas as well as two more BLM campgrounds.  These campgrounds also accepted the Federal senior pass for a 50% camping discount and allowed 14 days of camping in a 28 day period.  One of the campgrounds (Crossroads)  had campsites right on the Colorado River. With the discount card the price would be $2.50 a night. Fantastic!  I bet this place is packed in January … just packed. 

Crossroads BLM

The next campground area we wanted to view was at the Empire Landing BLM.  A dump was onsite and 16 sites had water and electricity. The fee was $30 for sites with hookups but the Federal pass was also accepted.  This was a super BLM, and with a first come reservation system this place will also be packed I am sure.  There are an additional 32 sites without any hookups but facilities are close.  

The only problem we saw with parks along Parker Dam Road was cell service.   This was the same problem we discovered along the Arizona side of the Colorado River too.  AT&T service was intermittent.  We could test the service with our phone but had no idea whether our Verizon aircard would work.  We have two aircards for just this same purpose.   Sometimes AT&T works and sometimes Verizon works in places we go.   Perhaps it was time we got a Verizon cell phone for the same reason.  That’s just what we did.  Now we have a new phone number to remember.  Verizon and AT&T are both covered with the phone and with the internet.

Empire Landing BLM

To be continued  …………………….

‘Tis life on the road.