Someone else mentioned this BLM thing. If it's 5 a day I could afford that monthly. I also have two medium sized dogs I should mention and one that goes off pretty much everytime she hears something so somewhere with not much traffic or staying bumper to bumper sort of way. All I have to do is get my truck brakes hooked up with the campers brakes and get a generator. Was told 3500 watt generator should be enough to run everything in mine. Again new to all this and if I can avoid city driving that be a plus. Need like a custom map to get me going. I'll be starting from Manistique MI. Part of me really wants to do this, my house has horrible windows cost me over $240 a month in gas just to keep my downstairs 62. And so plan on taking a loan against it and then selling it in the spring when I come back.
There are some BLM areas that you can stay at for free. Not even a permit required. Be aware though, somehow you will need to replenish your water supply, dump your tanks and get rid of your garbage. You will need to learn quickly that life you are used to will not be the same boondocking. Water becomes a valuable scarcity. Garbage, sewer and grey water will become a enemies (you just can't leave it outside or bury it). All thus should be taken into consideration when deciding where you stay. Oh, by the way, your dogs still will not be allowed to roam free. There are a lot of folks out there that are pretty tolerant about a lot of things but all it takes is one to not like your pup snooping around and all of a sudden "Opps!! What dog"!
The Sonoran desert has varied landscapes and temperatures. If you like more green in your views you might like Tucson. This is a beautiful desert area with lots of Saguaro Cacti
(The large ones with "arms"). As well, the ground is not quite as rocky as the area around Quartzsite and Yuma. The temps are a little more moderate than the Yuma area which is probably the warmest.
Most folks, including me, like our neighbors to be "distant". It's best to keep your distance. I don't really want to hear your generator nor do I want you to hear mine. Perhaps you should invest in some solar so your genny will see less use.
There is a lot to see and do in the desert. If you like pretty rocks, minerals, gold and, silver all have been found locally. Lots of places to hike. You won't see many Rattlers or Scorpions during the winter months. It's too cold for them but be careful anyway.
Close to Parker and not too far from Quartzsite is a place called the Desert Bar.
Nellie E Saloon It's only open Saturday and Sunday from noon until 6:00 PM. I think every first timer out to go there. Seriously, the drive to the place is a little rough but I have seen four door sedans make it. The food is great, the beer always cold and the live music is always good. I actually go every year.
If you do decide to come on down, you have a great distance to travel. Google Earth tells me that you will be traveling through Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, to get to Arizona. Over 2000 miles and about 32 hour traveling time. If you plan your route there are places you can stop overnight for free too.
Darrell
robertwitham.com
