In The Beginning There Was NASCAR

The Rig: 2017 Ford F150 and a Northwoods Nash 23D travel trailer

I left on this epic adventure from Lancaster, California on February 22, 2018 utilizing a 2017 Ford F-150 towing a Northwoods Nash 23D travel trailer. I spent the first night boondocking around Joshua Tree National Monument.

View from window at Twin Palms Resort

2/23/18 I spent my second night along the Colorado River at the Twin Palms RV Resort near Blythe, California. It was very windy but I had nice view of the Colorado river out the camper window.

2/24-25/18 My first foray into Urban Camping was spent with two nights in the Bass Pro Shop parking lot in Mesa, AZ which I enjoyed. Completely different from what I had envisioned. There were several campers in the lot and one fellow was in a tent. I think he was homeless. My fresh water ran out so I had to depart this lovely environment.

2/26/2018 My first adventure at a full service RV Resort was at the Destiny Phoenix West RV Resort. This resort had all of the hook ups, water, power, and sewer which made it a very nice experience. I was able to take long showers with no worries about depleting the  fresh water supply internal to the camper. After setting up in the RV resort, I drove over to the ISM (Phoenix) Raceway office where I registered to work the NASCAR races on March 9, 10, and 11, 2018.

2/27/2018 My first flat tire (Note to self: cheap and light is not always best). My jack would not lift the camper high enough to change the tire. I had to call a tow truck for the tire change ($65). I need to purchase the AAA RV towing to change a tire, if needed, in the future. The only worthy aspect of this misfortune was that the tire was procured and replaced for half price at Discount Tire in Buckeye, Arizona. By the time I got the tire replaced I was too tired to do anything but, for the first time, spend the night in a Walmart parking lot.

2/28/2018 Rain, wind and cold last night in the Walmart parking lot. I bought a new floor jack then decided to boondock west of Buckeye, Arizona in the Saddle Mountains BLM.   The area I chose to camp was quiet with a nice view. 

3/1/2018 Spent two nights boondocking west of Buckeye, Arizona in the Saddle Mountains BLM. 

Very quiet but I realized I need solar panels to feel secure while boondocking as my battery power runs too low for any devices to function within the travel trailer.

3/2/2018 I spent this night at White Tank Mountain Regional Park departing March 3, 2018.

3/3/2018 I departed White Tank Mountain Regional Park and parked behind the Sands Chevrolet dealership off the 303 freeway. There I met Allan (my brother) to play golf at Pueblo El Mirage Golf Course in El Mirage, Arizona. After golf, I urban camped behind the Walmart in the Surprise, Arizona, Prasada West Shopping Center.

3/4/2018 Drove to Allan’s house to pick up a new television. I then parked in the CVS Pharmacy parking lot at Avondale Boulevard and Van Buren Street where I installed the television. I decided to spend the night there behind the CVS Pharmacy.

3/5/2018 I purchased a camping pass for the ISM (Phoenix) Raceway and will be staying there until Monday, March 12, 2018.

3/6-11/2018 Stayed at the ISM (Phoenix) Raceway camping area. Met my camping neighbor there, Michael Johnson, and we became friends. Michael supplied power from his trailer generator to my trailer so my battery did not lose power. I worked with Allan as a Security Person at Gate 2 of the raceway. Our Supervisor, Gene, along with the other associates were a great group with which to work. Saturday, I worked additional time (4pm until 1am) securing a gate in the Trackside Bar & Grill. Several patrons, might I say drunk, approached me. One young woman became quite entertainingly affectionate while later another wanted me to console her regarding her ex-girlfriend’s relationship with her husband.

3/12/2018 Stayed in the Destiny Phoenix West RV Resort once again. Had dinner at Allan and Denise’s house and did some laundry. Thank you Denise.

3/13/2018 Relocated to Lake Pleasant Regional Park north of Phoenix. I stayed above the lake in an overflow area that had a nice view.

3/14/2018 Still at Lake Pleasant.

3/15/2018  My last full day in Phoenix was spent working the LPGA Bank of Hope Founders Cup at the Wildfire Golf Course in Phoenix. I worked in several areas of the event, meeting and talking to several colleagues and guests. It was nice to be involved in this event and see the best women golfers in the world.