Camper 2.0 effort begins

We love our camper! It is a workhorse that has already gotten us through severe snowstorms, hurricane level winds and monsoon type rains, all in perfect comfort. The problem with the camper is that it was decorated in grandma chic. The mirror headboard and plum accent border had to go. This is day two of demo. After pictures should be up in a week. Thats the plan anyway. One of the things we liked about the camper was the nice big kitchen. More than ample cabinetry and storage space. With all of that space comes a million doors with a million hinges, clasps and locks. If you want to paint your kitchen cabinets right, you remove them and strip all hardware. One of the biggest pains in the ass ever! I almost would rather deal with Congress again then undertake painting kitchen cabinets. Almost.

A little about the camper. Its a 2007 Newmar cypress fifth wheel, built in northern indiana by amish guys. The dude who originally ordered this thing got every option. Even the gun safe, hidden in the floor. Its got the super insulation package so its nice and cool or warm as we need it. Superior hitch and suspension means it drags down the road pretty well.  Once I put the tube stereo in it will be near perfect. Haven't used the outdoor heated shower yet, but i plan to.

So the end of our time in Phoenix is drawing near. So thankful to my brother in law for letting us stay with him while we explore the Sonoran Desert and all of it treasures and make the much needed repairs and upgrades to the camper. Thanks June you are the best.  Love ya June!

OnTopofPapago

Papago Park. Hole in the Rock hill.  Phoenix, AZ.

The Hohokum Indians used it as a calendar until they mysteriously disappearedaround 1500.  Nowadays its likely used by teenagers after dark to consume contraband.

Negotiating the narrows. This odd little bit of Arizona is a conglomerate of boulders and rocks all held together with a hardend slurry. Over time the weather has eroded the formations into a moonscape.

two buttes trail. two beauts trail? Also shout out to my buddies who work at the cattlmens assoc back in DC for the sweet hat! Sweetie has claimed it though, making it likely that I will never again wear it.  Her, and her siblings are notorious hat thieves....looks better on her anyway.

sometimes.....

you gotta take a break. Getting to Phoenix was a battle and a half. Let's recap. Since the beginning of our trip, our camper: was almost ditched on day one,  frozen to death in a freak snowstorm in month two, fully lost all battery power, lost ability to hook up to city water due to a busted water inlet, found leaks on the roof, totally broke the fridge, fritzed the microwave, and most recently, almost all the roof vents got swiped off in an epic West Texas windstorm. So, that's not entirely my fault outside of the fact that I should not have been driving in such high winds. All that to say, isnt RVing fun?!

.....so a day at the heated pool is pretty much required.

Frank Lloyd Wright's Masterpiece

FLW gate

garden room

Garden room. Wright would often refuse jobs if the client did not let him also furnish the space to his liking. He was also so picky that he would make his own furniture for a space so that it looked correct to him. Comfort came second. These stools were so low that you might as well be sitting on the ground, but they look good.

Entrane to the caberet. wright loved asian artifacts.

FLW Cabaret. He intentionally positions the benches at an angle so that you had to swing your left leg over your right and extend your right arm behind your neighbor in order to see the screen with out cocking your head. Because, believed that was the proper way to sit and be entertained.

Frank Lloyd Wright started wintering in Scottsdale in the 30's. Growing up in the Chicago suburbs, I have been a life long FLW fan. Wright, a genius, found a way to brave the Midwestern winters - go to Arizona. Touring his western home was a thrill. He modernized the prairie style and melded it with the southwestern style. His stamp on Scottsdale and Phoenix is everywhere. Most state buildings wear a FLW look and almost every roadside rest area or hiking ramada resemble the undeniable Mr. Wright style. Taliesin West is a treasure and a model of simplicity and sooooper cool.

needs improvment.

The only way one could improve upon a FLW masterpiece? Include my wife, of course. Wright used native boulders, sand, and cement to create his winter camp. Originally only inhabited during the cold Midwestern months, it eventually became a year round home with apprentices allowed to retire at Taliesin West to live out their lives. 

Montezuma's castle

They call it Montezuma's castle (scroll down for more pics of the "castle") but Montezuma had nothing to do with it, never made it this north. Still, a very cool piece of American history. Notice the stacked stone dwelling with square window to the right of my left shoulder. Some dude and his famhung out in there!