Chuckles and Chiricahua

We will be moving again on Sunday and thought we would take a ride to scope out a boondocking place that I had found on the internet. There's a great website called Free Campgrounds and we have had success with it in the past. We knew that we wanted to spend some time at Chiricahua National Monument and there were some places in the Coronado Forest that sounded perfect.


Driving east on I-10 and then south on 186 led us to the entrance of Chiricahua. Just before entering the park, we took a right, up a gravel and dirt road. For the first couple of miles, it wasn't too bad. There were a couple washboard areas and a few potholes.



Then we noticed that we were climbing. And soon, the road became narrow and there were patches of snow along the edge.


Just before we came to the Coronado National Forest, we found this sign.


When you look closer, you see this sign. Africanized bees were not on our list of boondocking attractions. This brought a smile to our faces.


We finally entered the forest where the places to pull off the road and park were supposed to be. By now, the road had turned to mud and snow and the trees were overhanging the road. The mud was actually slicker than the snow! And, we were chuckling at the thought of bringing the coach up here.


Then Doug turned off the road onto a smaller road back into the parking spots. The ruts were horrible, the snow and mud were worse and the trees were so close together that we would need a shoehorn. At this point, we were doubled over laughing. What if we had just brought the coach without checking it out!!

The car turned itself around and hightailed it out of there. When we got back to Chiricahua it was mid afternoon so we pulled out our National Park Pass and drove into the park for free. (saved us $10!)


It was a fantastic 8 mile drive up the mountains with scenery to die for. When we arrived at the top, where some of the trailheads start, it was so cold that all we could do was take a couple of pictures. But, we decided that we definitely want to see more. So, instead of boondocking in the muck, we will probably find a park with hookups near Willcox and spend a full day at Chiricahua.

What a fun day! First a nice visit with our pals Doug and Diane M. Then, a hysterical trip searching for a boondock spot followed by a fantastic ride through mother nature. So much to look forward to every morning!