4-8-2025
H: 82ºF L: 45ºF
Thousand Trails Verde Valley, Cottonwood, Arizona

We finished fixing the slide out floor today. Daniel bought the most expensive piece of wood he has ever bought and we wrapped it in a heavy duty tarp. We were happy that sliding it under the slide out walls went easier than expected. We have been so lucky to have neighbors lend us tools. As you can see from the picture, Peter provided constant moral support to Daniel.

It was really nice being able to put everything back where it belongs and have dinner at the table.

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4-9-2025
H: 88°F L: 47°F
Thousand Trails Verde Valley, Cottonwood, Arizona

We explored Flagstaff, AZ! We really enjoyed the drive to this college town especially when the snow capped mountains came into view.

Old Route 66 runs through town. There are several old signs for motels which I think are really neat. One sign advertised rooms for $5 and other offered steam heated garage space.

Years ago, Daniel took a train trip with his brother, Dave, which went through Flagstaff. Daniel has fond memories of looking out the train window in Flagstaff at big snowflakes and snow covered evergreens. We made a quick stop at the train station.

After a short stop at Goodwill (we love thrift shopping), we tried going to Walnut Canyon National Monument but the exit was on fire. We later learned it was a controlled burn.

We found a detour on a “primitive dirt road” and made our way to the park. It was a beautiful canyon with pueblos dating to 1100 CE. Native peoples who lived in Walnut Canyon were from many different tribes. The park has two main trails: the Rim Trail which allows dogs and the Island Trail with takes you down into the canyon and back up 185 feet (that’s a lot of stairs). I enjoyed watching people ascend the Island Trail stairs looking like they were ready to collapse. They’re going to have sore legs tomorrow.

Next we went to Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. This volcano erupted less than 1000 years ago (1085 CE) making it a very young volcano. There is a magma field containing large and small basalt and black sand made of eroded basalt. Daniel really enjoyed seeing this baby volcano.

We drove back home watching the sunset. You just can’t beat Arizona sunsets.

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4-10-2025
H: 89ºF L: 49ºF
Thousand Trails Verde Valley, Cottonwood, Arizona

We went to Jerome, AZ which is a National Historic Landmark. We have heard really good things about this old mining town and we agree – we loved it! The buildings snake up the mountainside and you’ll find that beautiful views abound.

We went to Audrey Headframe Park which has beautiful views, a museum, and a 1900 foot deep shaft lit up with lights and covered with glass so you can stand on it if you dare. However, when we visited, the mine shaft was down the hill from the museum and it was closed. The entry fee for the museum was $10 per person so we didn’t go in.

Jerome is such a neat town. A road zigzags up the mountain past cute shops and restaurants. The town is quirky and perfectly haphazard.

In 1899, the town of Jerome became known as a “wicked city”. Per the newspaper New York Sun: “Jerome was a lawless town of wild women and hard drinking men… a place where bordellos, saloons and dance halls line the streets, and wages were wasted in wicked pursuits.” This sounds like our kind of town except Daniel and I are frugal, monogamous, and I stopped drinking alcohol but, otherwise, it seems like a fun people-watching spot.

You can throw coins at old toilets…

We wandered the streets and talked with friendly store clerks.

We went in Nellie Bly’s Kaleidoscopes which was so cool! They had brass wall sculptures that I was really fond of and Daniel liked looking in through the different types of kaleidoscopes. Connected to this shop was another neat shop with repurposed items like an amp meter lamp.

We also stopped at the old jail which slid 225 feet down the hill in the 1930s.

Then we drove to Gold King Mine and Ghost Town. A man bought this ghost town, collected a lot of mechanical things, and opened a tourist spot. Our favorites that we could see from the drive (we didn’t want to pay the $10 per person entry fee) were the old skoolies (school bus turned into a camper).

Next we drove to Mingus Hang Glider Launch in Prescott National Forest but the road was closed… so we walked. The boys loved being off leash and exploring. Peter was so happy that he was doing what I consider the happiest of happy runs: tempi changes which are the flying lead changes at every stride that advanced dressage horses do. We love seeing the boys so happy.

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4-11-2025
H: 93ºF L: 49ºF
Thousand Trails Verde Valley, Cottonwood, Arizona

We went back to Sedona, AZ to explore the city and surrounding Coconino National Forest area.

We took a half hour hike at Andante Trailhead on the Thunder Mountain trail. Both Daniel and I found a great piece of red sandstone. Holding my piece clasped in my hand, I felt a slight tingling sensation. Maybe it’s my imagination or maybe this area really does have special spiritual vibes.

We drove by the only McDonald’s in the world with teal arches. Apparently, Sedona felt the typical yellow would clash with the surrounding natural beauty of red sandstone so they allowed McDonald’s into their community on one condition: teal arches.

We drove north of Sedona through the canyon and into the mountains on AR-89A. We stopped at Oak Creek Vista in the Coconino National Forest. The drive was gorgeous with so many beautiful vistas and tall evergreens. Have I mentioned that I miss big trees? Some people feel a connection with lakes or oceans or the desert but, for me, it’s big majestic trees that make me feel grounded.

Lastly, we got some coffee and found an area to sit and look at Cathedral Rock.

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4-12-2025
H: 89ºF L: 51ºF
Thousand Trails Verde Valley, Cottonwood, Arizona

After a long adventure day yesterday, we decided to relax today and do some laundry.

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4-13-2025
H: 87°F L: 51°F
Thousand Trails Verde Valley, Cottonwood, Arizona

Daniel added a plug to the outside of our camper so he could plug the cars into our camper as most campgrounds have a rule about plugging electric vehicles directly into the pedestal. We don’t do it often but it’s nice to plug Rosie in when we arrive at a campground after a long day of traveling.

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4-14-2025
H: 83ºF L: 54ºF
Thousand Trails Verde Valley, Cottonwood, Arizona

We went to Arcosanti which is an experimental community designed by artists and architect, Paolo Soleri. Dubbed “An Urban Laboratory” it was designed to be an ecologically sound human habitat. It is an ongoing project and houses 50-150 people where they work and recreate. We enjoyed the architecture especially the cafe area with a large red-orange fabric tube to direct cool air into the space.

On the way home, we drove by the World’s Largest Kokopelli. I do love “World’s Largest” things.

We also stopped at Montezuma Castle National Monument. We got in free because of Daniel’s America the Beautiful Lifetime Senior Pass. The structure is a quick walk from the parking lot. The main building contains 20 rooms, housed multiple families on multiple floors, and was inhabited between 1100-1425 AD. It’s pretty amazing that it’s still standing especially since another structure a little ways down the cliff was destroyed by a fire.

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Stats

Expenses:

• Tesla Cybertruck fuel: $18.33
• Tesla Model X fuel: $0
• Campsite: $0
• Camping memberships: $38.26
• Food: $328.76

Tesla Cybertruck miles driven: 13.1 (4.1 kWh)

Tesla Model X miles driven: 528.6 (149.3 kWh)

Number of people asking about the Tesla pulling the camper: 0

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Happy Vegan Campers are traveling the country and building a passive house! Any suggestions on places we should visit or questions about our house? Love our recipes? We’d love to hear from you. Leave a comment below or send us an email: happyvegancampers@gmail.com