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A TH-cam short just popped up on my feed describing almost this same situation somewhere in the desert between 29 Palms and I40. It says there was a car across the road and 2 "bodies." They also had a bad feeling and gunned it. Not only did the "bodies" stand up but other people came out of the tall grass. Yikes. Glad you trusted your instincts.
Years ago…I worked as a Campground Monitor program ran by the Alaska State Parks. This was their first year charging an annual fee for campers and part of my responsibilities was to collect money. The Park Rangers would drive through to check on me at certain times during the day. That season was a learning expereince as I had not realized than that the campgrounds attracted not only people looking to enjoy and expereince the great outdoors , but also nefarious criminal elements . That summer their was a murder in one of the campgrounds , and this particular park closed due to this and other crimes . These days, some campgrounds and hiking trails have become targeted areas for predators and I do not have the same comfort level and never hike without my German Shepherd.
I don't go anywhere without my CHL as long as its allowed. Now that I have kids its one of those things that is always on my mind. I'm always hyper aware of who is around and anything that seems slightly suspicious.
Yep, trust your gut. I'm from a big city, always aware of my surroundings. I know someone murdered while trying to help someone pretending to have a car breakdown. I would call afterwards but not stop. Glad you are safe.
Glad you listened to your intuition and are safe! Even seasoned travelers as yourselves can have difficult situations. Thanks for sharing your solutions!
I always bring my friend Sig Sauer and Heckler & Koch. I have a Florida ccw and all the state we travel to honor it. The only person that is going to protect your family is you!
My parents used to Boondock out near Quartzite, they spent every Winter down there. That was back in the 80's. In the Winter the campgrounds in AZ are full of Snowbirds.
Whoa!!! Good information because when you’re a solo traveler you never know what can happen. I love you guys and I hope I meet you someday. Keep helping us out🥰
Lots of states honor carry permits from other states, check reciprocity rules, you may be surprised how easy it is to carry state to state. I camp in sketchy areas in Michigan, wouldn't do it without protection, I'm 71 and have seen too much, it can be very ugly out there. LOVE your videos, you two are among the best! Thank you, keep up the excellent work and be safe!
Yes. These young, naive, people, living, traveling, and hiking in remote areas (nevermind cities), unarmed, are asking for terrible things to happen. They roll the dice every day. They both need to get carry gnz, and keep a shtgn for inside their rig, and learn how to use them safely (practice regularly, until it's second nature). People "go missing." Crime is on the rise 350% with our opn bodrz. Countries are (literally) emptying their jails and psychiatric facilities and busing them here (including the criminally insane -serial klrz, rapiztz, mdrz), and they're laughing about it! ("Then comes affemenate Jack and clueless Jill with her bouncy pony tail, jogging down the remote trail, right into the hands of human traffickers. They weren't amd, so they didn't stand a chance. Story at 11!")
Thanks for sharing your experience. We all can learn something. A couple of suggestions from experience with of leash in the wild. 1, train with a whistle, your voice and arm signals at the same time. It’s not difficult. First use the whistle and then your voice with your arms. For us, two whistles & arms straight out is recall, 1 whistle & arm up is wait. Louie will associate all of the commands together and eventually you may not say a word. 2, DO NOT hesitate to use an e-collar. We only use the shock for life threatening situations like rattlesnake avoidance and chasing game or coyotes, maybe even avoiding cactus. There are other factors that can be used in general training of Louie especially with your voice inflection and to always be CONSTANT & CONSISTENT. I have found it undoubtedly satisfying to be able to know and trust our dog in backcountry or desert situations without worrying. Good luck with your little “life enhancer” and don’t be afraid to reach out.
Two years ago we stayed one night at that same BLM site and there was another camper there...in the morning a really sketchy car made us glad we were leaving. Good you didn't stay there alone. Enjoyed meeting you guys and Louie at Diamond J. Fun watching and being surprised by our camper in the vid right next to the trail. And the map my husband and I created for the park. Maybe our paths will cross again sometime at the campground. Best hiking location anywhere. And the egg rolls are wonderful.
So nice meeting you as well! That's too bad that BLM area is probably used for some shady activities! So cool you guys made that map...I was wondering who drew it!! Really are some of the best trails around!!
Great video and good reminder to be aware of your surroundings. Always listen to your gut. We drove through Diamond J’s a couple years ago to check it out. It seemed like it’d be a decent place to stay. This video illustrates a possible challenge of winging it. That being said there’s always options. And that’s what we love about this full time lifestyle. Just roll with it!
Thanks for sharing your experience. It’s always good to be aware of your surroundings. It’s also good to have multiple opportunities to protect yourselves. Safe travels guys. 👍
There’s nice boondocking just outside Madera Canyon, near Green Valley. Also Buenos Aires has nice boondocking. One more great place but limit of 3 nights boondocking is at Whitewater Draw, about 20 miles southeast of Tombstone.
If you are ever near Golden Valley Arizona which is between Kingman and Bullhead City, come and stay at Settlin In RV Park. We always have room and all of our spots are full hookup. No reservation needed.
Had to laugh when you said “ can’t tent camp in the desert in this weather”. We do. 29 degrees in our Springbar tent with our heater and it was so nice.
😂 Sounds like a nice set up! 👍 We actually tent camped in CO when it hit the 20’s overnight. But not on purpose ! 😂We had a heated blanket which helped but still Brrrrrrrr.
@@IreneIronTravels oh my gosh sweetie. Are you guys seasoned campers? We are much older than you and been doing this a time. We purchased a propane heater and since our tent is canvas, it breathes and you have no worry of fumes. But just elec blankets, you two are the bomb. Happy travels. You are a sweet couple.
Hi guys! We stayed at Gilbert Ray, last week. Got there on Monday and must have been our luck. Loved the place. The boon-docking nearby was creepy. Spent 1 night and left for G.R. 🙏🏻 so glad to get a spot.
Good on you guys for your situational awareness. I'm hyper alert to things like that due to some military buddies. I notice things like footprints, tire tracks, body language, escape routes a lot more than most people and it's been something I've loved. Wish I had power hookups, I'd offer a moochdock spot in sierra vista. Definitely need to be careful especially where there's minimal "supervision".
I’m happy you mentioned Diamond Jay. I stay in Tucson a lot because my Mom is there. I stayed at a nearby park that is more expensive and I would like to Boondock. I won’t stay at the blm alone for those obvious reasons. So, those trails were awesome! I biked and hiked every day there. I left for Yuma but am coming back to Tucson soon. I would like to see if I can get a spot there.
We spent last 2 months around Tucson. BLM area north of the city you guys visited in your van was one of the nicest we have been to. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for sharing! We just purchased a 2023 Ibex 19MSB and will be hitting the road next year. We are grateful for the education you are providing. We can not wait to get out there (currently based just north of Atlanta - we have a 30amp hookup if you are ever in the area 😊). Stay safe and enjoy!
I blame the Canadians taking up all your spots up :) And the looks on both your faces show me the proper levels of safety were taken. Anybody who has been on the road knows that vibe....and you MUST trust it. Continued safe travels !
Yup, definitely the Canadians🇨🇦 🤣. It was hard to explain the situation properly without have the footage of the vehicle... but I (Aaron) didn't see the car the first time and only saw it the second time. By the third time we were both freaking out a bit on the inside....but trying to stay calm in the situation. Looking back... they saw us going down the dead end dirt road....then they drove down and saw us in the parking lot, but they turned around trying not to be seen by us. Then as we left, they were trying to force us to stop....and who knows what for.... It was a scary situation for sure! Stay safe up there Coco!
Glad nothing else sketchy went down. It feels weird to follow your intuition sometimes... like you're overreacting. But it's so important to do what you did and get out of the situation. Glad that all happened during the day so you had more options.
it's my personal belief almost any type of dispersed camping near any sizable city larger or small your gonna have sketchy characters, the same goes for truck stops and rest areas that are close to cities. as a long haul truck driver out here on the road for 30 yrs I've always tried to stay about 50 -80 miles out from a major city if I could.
I have tent camped alone much of life. Things I ALWAYS bring with me, to help with self-defense, if needed: A shotgun and sidearm. To handle mountain lion, bear, wild pigs, and bad guys. Play it smart. Your security and safety is YOUR responsibility, and cannot be deferred to the police (who are 15 mins away, or more...) or gov't. Be self-responsible !!
Rv-n for 40+ years (not full time) and until the last few years rarely made any reservations. We are never sure where we'll be and we may stay an extra day or two if we like the place. The last few have been a challenge though. It'll be interesting if in a few years if a lot of Covid Rv purchases go away & not get replaced (?). Everything you said about the sketchy place holds true for us and many others. Especially close to a major city. Several times we've moved after not feeling "it". Both within a few miles of a fairly big town.
Great information on the Tuscon area. We're headed through there soon. Have you checked your air fryer for a recall? We have one that looks like yours and it's been recalled. Thanks for the excellent videos.
Hi guys. I was at the BLM land right by Saguaro National park. It was somewhat crowed but worked out great. It was cold and I was there the same time you guys were running around and YES it snowed on me. I really liked Tucson overall. I left a day or so after that hazmat spill from that tractor crash. Big detour as the road was closed. In Texas now and paying about 2.84 for gas but saw 2.64 yesterday. Be aware is right. Talked to a guy when we were boating in the Florida Keys and he said if you are ever are on your way to the Bahamas and you see a boat asking for help like they are broken down tell them to get naked and jump in the water. He said he has done this three times and every time they started their engines and took off.
Which land did you stay at? Snyder Hill? It is always busy there and we've seen some really bad stuff there too. It's soo tough by the cities.... I've never heard the boat scenario...thanks for sharing that!
At gas stations when someone gives me the sob story I tell them I can help by calling the Police as they have gas and love to help people. Funny how they leave right away.
Always trust your gut! We were in the same area in March. Unable to get in to Gilbert Ray so we went to Snyder Hill. Fortunately, we didn’t have any issues. If you’re ever in the Sierra Vista area, check out Quail Ridge RV Resort. It’s extremely reasonable, with full hookup, nice showers & laundry room. Take care, continued safe travels.
We are staying in Florence, AZ and drove down to Catalina State Park two days ago to hike the mountains in the park. We enjoyed that park if you haven’t tried it yet. We enjoy the Tucson area much more than the Phoenix area. Just wish the weather (wind/rain/cold) was better than it’s been this winter in the Phoenix/Tucson area.
So glad you found a good spot! I totally agree with listening to your intuition and it's good you didn't stay out there. I haven't had nearly the boondocking experience you have, but it does seem to me that desolate places near big cities equal drugs and crime. I did stay at Gilbert Ray 2 years ago in mid November (advance res). It was perfect weather and glorious sunsets! The sites are pretty rough, but I think they were in the SLOW process of regrading and repaved sections at little at a time. Maybe it's done by now!
I really liked that video you guys did awhile back about Minneapolis; eventually you guys just need to build a nice CrossFit Gym with a health food restaurant where you live above it. All road trips come to an end!
The police report's should be public records.. it was a guy and girl pretending to be broke down and a rv couple stopped to help them. The guy rv got killed. They should be in jail they were caught.. but who knows now days. Just be careful.. it sucks but that's the world we live in
@@mikesleigher932 I couldn't find any info on a murder, but did find a TH-cam video on The camping closures for the Alabama Hills. What a shame people have to ruin things.
Louie didn't know what to think about the chicken, huh? He's a cutie!! Very wise not to all for that situation. You can't be too careful. Glad you finally found a spot you were happy with. Have fun!!
January and February is a very busy time in the Tucson and Phoenix area with snowbirds. Try Catalina State Park in Tucson next time. We seem to have a better chance with state parks trying early in the day.
We were in that area about a week before you were there. We boondocked at the Pump Station BLM land just north and west of Tucson. Nice area, well spaced out sites, not sketchy at all and very quiet, except for the occasional fighter jet, lol! It's about 20 min from Saguaro NP West. No marked hiking trails but plenty of space to make your own. We stayed at Diamond J's last year when we were in the area. Nice place we would definitely go back to again.
Unrelated to this video, but when did you take the tent off the truck? We watch all your vids but must have missed this. With Louie, it would have been tough to use.
Lets do some numbers. The RV industry sells around 500,000 units per year, so looking at say the last 5 years (2018-2022) both pre and during Covid when lots of new people decided to go RVing, 2,500,000 new RV were sold. Add that to the millions already out there. A lot (most?) people RV during the warmer months, May-Sep. And many of those head to the West for a bucket-list tour of National Parks, the mountains, etc. So, the question is, where are these millions of RV'ers going to camp? As we are all now discovering, there are a lot of RVs and very few, if any, new campgrounds added to the mix. Drive by an RV dealership these days and you will find overflowing lots. Why? High prices, limited campsites (assuming those who are considering a new RV have even given this a thought), high interest rates, very high truck prices (you got to pull it with something other than mom's Honda). So, nationwide, millions of new RV'ers with no place to enjoy their new $40,000 to $100,000+ investment. They are making payments on something they can't even use when and where they want to and it's becoming a frustrating and expensive lesson. Have you been on any of the RV campsite rental websites (recreation.gov, etc.) and actually found an available campsite when and where you want it? Have you tried to figure out their "release" policy? Do you think you can beat hundreds or thousands of other campers to a reservation when they do release them at exactly 8 am EST? I've tried, believe me, and its almost impossible. Houston, we have a problem that will probably only be solved by either a major depression or $10 gas.
Have to agree with you. Most of those RV's are probably sitting in storage. I don't think many people do any research on finding camping spots before buying a rig.
Is your airfryer a Cosori? Big recall on them over 2 million, they are catching on fire so you might want to check your model # - mine was on the recall list
Airzona is busy and I notice that your GPS is not a garmin rv785 hummmmmmm not good well good enough but the app on the garmin for camping is a good thing
Great video! I sure am enjoying your content. We plan on traveling to the Arizona during some of winter months in a year or two. Wyoming during the winter is a challenge. I know you have a Corsori Air fryer. Some models have been recalled and Corsori is replacing them. I guess they are catching on fire. Thanks again for the great content.
I bought an RV, hoping to be a work camper eventually , because they don’t allow diy vans. I have regrets because a van build may have been the better choice. No going back now, because I’m underwater in the RV loan
i think the more rural areas tend to be safer, because of less people. but there's also an issue of some crazy a$$ person doing something stupid. a lot of good people out there, but there's enough of crazy people to make one paranoid. keep vigilant and safe.
New subscriber! Glad I found your channel! I look forward to watching your travels! Thanks for sharing your travel videos with all of us, love your truck and RV!
I'm a retired (disabled) L.E.O........never stop unless somebody is bleeding. True Story: when my son was stationed in Charleston on the way home from duty late at night he pulled over to help a woman broke down. While Mike was leaning over the engine her male accomplice came from the side of the car with a pistol. As he told Mike to get on his knees assassination style Mike was able to unfold his lock back knife he always carried and cut the guys neck. The woman came at Mike with a knife cutting him. Mike kicked her off of him, grabbed the guy's pistol and held it on her. She still had the knife, Mike told her to drop it, she came at Mike again with the knife. Mike shot her in the shoulder with her boyfriends pistol, the bullet fragmented, hit her heart and she died. Her boyfriend was still alive and admitted what they did on the way to the hospital. A couple of guys who were at a gas station alongside a service road saw and heard what happened and verified Mike's statement to the Police. Oddly the Police found in their car over a pound of coke, several thousand dollars in cash. This couple had three arrest warrants for murder, apparently the same scenario. My son was lucky that night. Don't stop, if it looks like they need help, call 911.......that's what we're there for.
You should check out Empire ranch in az off highway 83 or Patagonia lake campground. Empire ranch is blm. And free for 14 days. There’s chances of seeing pronghorns on the ranch
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A TH-cam short just popped up on my feed describing almost this same situation somewhere in the desert between 29 Palms and I40. It says there was a car across the road and 2 "bodies." They also had a bad feeling and gunned it. Not only did the "bodies" stand up but other people came out of the tall grass. Yikes. Glad you trusted your instincts.
Years ago…I worked as a Campground Monitor program ran by the Alaska State Parks. This was their first year charging an annual fee for campers and part of my responsibilities was to collect money. The Park Rangers would drive through to check on me at certain times during the day. That season was a learning expereince as I had not realized than that the campgrounds attracted not only people looking to enjoy and expereince the great outdoors , but also nefarious criminal elements . That summer their was a murder in one of the campgrounds , and this particular park closed due to this and other crimes . These days, some campgrounds and hiking trails have become targeted areas for predators and I do not have the same comfort level and never hike without my German Shepherd.
That’s horrible!
Very true. Gotta keep our worship about us. 3rd eyes open and fully lit. Creepers creep
I don't go anywhere without my CHL as long as its allowed. Now that I have kids its one of those things that is always on my mind. I'm always hyper aware of who is around and anything that seems slightly suspicious.
I'm sure other campers would appreciate if you left a current review of that sketchy BLM spot.
Yep, trust your gut. I'm from a big city, always aware of my surroundings. I know someone murdered while trying to help someone pretending to have a car breakdown. I would call afterwards but not stop. Glad you are safe.
Be safe out there, guys! Even a can of pepper spray each in a pocket could be the difference between a close call and a disaster.😕 Vigilance!❤
Glad you listened to your intuition and are safe! Even seasoned travelers as yourselves can have difficult situations. Thanks for sharing your solutions!
I always bring my friend Sig Sauer and Heckler & Koch. I have a Florida ccw and all the state we travel to honor it. The only person that is going to protect your family is you!
My parents used to Boondock out near Quartzite, they spent every Winter down there. That was back in the 80's. In the Winter the campgrounds in AZ are full of Snowbirds.
Whoa!!! Good information because when you’re a solo traveler you never know what can happen. I love you guys and I hope I meet you someday. Keep helping us out🥰
I won’t go anywhere without some kind of protection especially far south these days. Good for you on trusting your gut and getting outta there.
Lots of states honor carry permits from other states, check reciprocity rules, you may be surprised how easy it is to carry state to state. I camp in sketchy areas in Michigan, wouldn't do it without protection, I'm 71 and have seen too much, it can be very ugly out there. LOVE your videos, you two are among the best! Thank you, keep up the excellent work and be safe!
i have a NYS CC permit & also a Pa permit. with the Pa permit, it allows carry in over 30 states.
You live in Afghanistan or Yemen? No developed 1st world country has to worry about this like we in the US. Sadly🇺🇲
Yes. These young, naive, people, living, traveling, and hiking in remote areas (nevermind cities), unarmed, are asking for terrible things to happen. They roll the dice every day. They both need to get carry gnz, and keep a shtgn for inside their rig, and learn how to use them safely (practice regularly, until it's second nature). People "go missing." Crime is on the rise 350% with our opn bodrz. Countries are (literally) emptying their jails and psychiatric facilities and busing them here (including the criminally insane -serial klrz, rapiztz, mdrz), and they're laughing about it! ("Then comes affemenate Jack and clueless Jill with her bouncy pony tail, jogging down the remote trail, right into the hands of human traffickers. They weren't amd, so they didn't stand a chance. Story at 11!")
I have a little friend who travels with us. He lives under the front bench, his name is Tauras Judge. Plus our Bella can sniff out sketchy people.
Thanks for sharing your experience. We all can learn something. A couple of suggestions from experience with of leash in the wild.
1, train with a whistle, your voice and arm signals at the same time. It’s not difficult. First use the whistle and then your voice with your arms. For us, two whistles & arms straight out is recall, 1 whistle & arm up is wait. Louie will associate all of the commands together and eventually you may not say a word.
2, DO NOT hesitate to use an e-collar. We only use the shock for life threatening situations like rattlesnake avoidance and chasing game or coyotes, maybe even avoiding cactus.
There are other factors that can be used in general training of Louie especially with your voice inflection and to always be CONSTANT & CONSISTENT. I have found it undoubtedly satisfying to be able to know and trust our dog in backcountry or desert situations without worrying. Good luck with your little “life enhancer” and don’t be afraid to reach out.
Glad you guys listened to your intuition and are safe.
Yes, the gut usually is right! There are signs all around us! 😊
State Operated RestAreas usually have Free RV dump stations at the Exit of the Rest Area.
Two years ago we stayed one night at that same BLM site and there was another camper there...in the morning a really sketchy car made us glad we were leaving. Good you didn't stay there alone. Enjoyed meeting you guys and Louie at Diamond J. Fun watching and being surprised by our camper in the vid right next to the trail. And the map my husband and I created for the park. Maybe our paths will cross again sometime at the campground. Best hiking location anywhere. And the egg rolls are wonderful.
So nice meeting you as well! That's too bad that BLM area is probably used for some shady activities! So cool you guys made that map...I was wondering who drew it!! Really are some of the best trails around!!
Here was the reason. Tucson is a snowbird city. Our snow birds our hanging around longer than usual because winter is hanging around in the Midwest.
Great video and good reminder to be aware of your surroundings. Always listen to your gut. We drove through Diamond J’s a couple years ago to check it out. It seemed like it’d be a decent place to stay. This video illustrates a possible challenge of winging it. That being said there’s always options. And that’s what we love about this full time lifestyle. Just roll with it!
Very well put, thanks Scooter!
Thanks for sharing your experience. It’s always good to be aware of your surroundings. It’s also good to have multiple opportunities to protect yourselves. Safe travels guys. 👍
So true! Thanks👍
Omg I'm glad you did not stop. Stay safe 🙏 ❤️ .
Us too! Thanks🙏🏻
Came back in case I missed something. You see I did find a spot near Tucson. Thank you. I love you guys.
There’s nice boondocking just outside Madera Canyon, near Green Valley.
Also Buenos Aires has nice boondocking.
One more great place but limit of 3 nights boondocking is at Whitewater Draw, about 20 miles southeast of Tombstone.
If you are ever near Golden Valley Arizona which is between Kingman and Bullhead City, come and stay at Settlin In RV Park. We always have room and all of our spots are full hookup. No reservation needed.
Had to laugh when you said “ can’t tent camp in the desert in this weather”. We do. 29 degrees in our Springbar tent with our heater and it was so nice.
😂 Sounds like a nice set up! 👍 We actually tent camped in CO when it hit the 20’s overnight. But not on purpose ! 😂We had a heated blanket which helped but still Brrrrrrrr.
@@IreneIronTravels oh my gosh sweetie. Are you guys seasoned campers? We are much older than you and been doing this a time. We purchased a propane heater and since our tent is canvas, it breathes and you have no worry of fumes. But just elec blankets, you two are the bomb. Happy travels. You are a sweet couple.
I’m in Highlands,Tx. & It’s Been 100” to 109” that is very Unusual for US we’re use to 100” but 109”115” unreal.we don’t get these high hot days.
Hi guys!
We stayed at Gilbert Ray, last week. Got there on Monday and must have been our luck. Loved the place.
The boon-docking nearby was creepy. Spent 1 night and left for G.R. 🙏🏻 so glad to get a spot.
I love louies little wine when you guys didn't get the spot, that was cute.
Glad you came out of that ok! Gut/intuition is never wrong! 😊
So true!
Good plan. We had a similar situation just south of Las Vegas last week. Hope you find some good trails to re-focus! Safe travels!
Thanks, you too!
My husband and I appreciate how you keep it real! We truly enjoy the adventures and videos you share with us. Be safe! Candace and John ☺️
Thanks so much! Appreciate you watching guys!
Good on you guys for your situational awareness. I'm hyper alert to things like that due to some military buddies. I notice things like footprints, tire tracks, body language, escape routes a lot more than most people and it's been something I've loved. Wish I had power hookups, I'd offer a moochdock spot in sierra vista. Definitely need to be careful especially where there's minimal "supervision".
U
Sure did seem sketchy! Thanks for sharing 😊
Thanks! We Enjoy your channel
Thanks for watching Earl! Appreciate the Super Thanks! 😊
I'Ve stayed at a few campgrounds which were more like gated communities. It made me feel safe, but made me wonder what was going on outside the gates!
I’m happy you mentioned Diamond Jay. I stay in Tucson a lot because my Mom is there. I stayed at a nearby park that is more expensive and I would like to Boondock. I won’t stay at the blm alone for those obvious reasons. So, those trails were awesome! I biked and hiked every day there. I left for Yuma but am coming back to Tucson soon. I would like to see if I can get a spot there.
Weather has been Hot here it West Texas. Windy tomorrow here.
I'm so glad you followed your instincts
So funny to watch this we are camping in gilbert ray right now awesome campground
I stayed at El Pais and loved it, too! I watched an evening movie from the pool and had a potluck Easter brunch the next morning!
Also Catalina State Park has amenities, decent sites & hiking trails.
We spent some time at Empire Ranch. Good boondocking south of Tucson.
We spent last 2 months around Tucson. BLM area north of the city you guys visited in your van was one of the nicest we have been to. Thanks for sharing.
Very cool. There are some definite nice areas around! We do love the landscape of this area!
Way to trust those spidey senses! We love the Tuscon area. Lots to see and do. Hope it warms up for you.
Thank you for sharing! We just purchased a 2023 Ibex 19MSB and will be hitting the road next year. We are grateful for the education you are providing. We can not wait to get out there (currently based just north of Atlanta - we have a 30amp hookup if you are ever in the area 😊). Stay safe and enjoy!
Our pleasure! Appreciate the offer, thank you! Congrats on your RV purchase and future plans!
I could tell from listening for the first time that you're from up north. :) good luck, stay safe. Great video.
Dash cam? It will help your travels.
I blame the Canadians taking up all your spots up :) And the looks on both your faces show me the proper levels of safety were taken. Anybody who has been on the road knows that vibe....and you MUST trust it. Continued safe travels !
Yup, definitely the Canadians🇨🇦 🤣. It was hard to explain the situation properly without have the footage of the vehicle... but I (Aaron) didn't see the car the first time and only saw it the second time. By the third time we were both freaking out a bit on the inside....but trying to stay calm in the situation. Looking back... they saw us going down the dead end dirt road....then they drove down and saw us in the parking lot, but they turned around trying not to be seen by us. Then as we left, they were trying to force us to stop....and who knows what for.... It was a scary situation for sure! Stay safe up there Coco!
@@IreneIronTravels Always hyper-alert when travelling. But I also need to realize there must be balance. Gotta enjoy the journey too ! Be well Aa&C
We’ve stayed at Gilbert Ray before…the FCFS line started before 8 am most of the days we were there. People just sat and waited in line. 😳
Glad nothing else sketchy went down. It feels weird to follow your intuition sometimes... like you're overreacting. But it's so important to do what you did and get out of the situation. Glad that all happened during the day so you had more options.
Yes for sure would leave an honest review
Trust your Vibes! You did the right thing. This kind of problem is going to get worse as the economy continues to collapse.
I’ve heard “trust your gut”! Happy you’re safe! Great advice! Louie has grown up:D
it's my personal belief almost any type of dispersed camping near any sizable city larger or small your gonna have sketchy characters, the same goes for truck stops and rest areas that are close to cities. as a long haul truck driver out here on the road for 30 yrs I've always tried to stay about 50 -80 miles out from a major city if I could.
I have tent camped alone much of life. Things I ALWAYS bring with me, to help with self-defense, if needed: A shotgun and sidearm. To handle mountain lion, bear, wild pigs, and bad guys.
Play it smart. Your security and safety is YOUR responsibility, and cannot be deferred to the police (who are 15 mins away, or more...) or gov't. Be self-responsible !!
White tanks regional park in the west valley is great to trail run and nice scenery.
Rv-n for 40+ years (not full time) and until the last few years rarely made any reservations. We are never sure where we'll be and we may stay an extra day or two if we like the place. The last few have been a challenge though. It'll be interesting if in a few years if a lot of Covid Rv purchases go away & not get replaced (?). Everything you said about the sketchy place holds true for us and many others. Especially close to a major city. Several times we've moved after not feeling "it". Both within a few miles of a fairly big town.
Great information on the Tuscon area. We're headed through there soon. Have you checked your air fryer for a recall? We have one that looks like yours and it's been recalled. Thanks for the excellent videos.
As always enjoy your channel!! As always BS & BK & BC !!
Thanks again Larry! BS
Go North to Flagstaff find a park up there
No don’t call there games
Hi guys. I was at the BLM land right by Saguaro National park. It was somewhat crowed but worked out great. It was cold and I was there the same time you guys were running around and YES it snowed on me. I really liked Tucson overall. I left a day or so after that hazmat spill from that tractor crash. Big detour as the road was closed. In Texas now and paying about 2.84 for gas but saw 2.64 yesterday. Be aware is right. Talked to a guy when we were boating in the Florida Keys and he said if you are ever are on your way to the Bahamas and you see a boat asking for help like they are broken down tell them to get naked and jump in the water. He said he has done this three times and every time they started their engines and took off.
Which land did you stay at? Snyder Hill? It is always busy there and we've seen some really bad stuff there too. It's soo tough by the cities.... I've never heard the boat scenario...thanks for sharing that!
At gas stations when someone gives me the sob story I tell them I can help by calling the Police as they have gas and love to help people. Funny how they leave right away.
Always trust your gut! We were in the same area in March. Unable to get in to Gilbert Ray so we went to Snyder Hill. Fortunately, we didn’t have any issues. If you’re ever in the Sierra Vista area, check out Quail Ridge RV Resort. It’s extremely reasonable, with full hookup, nice showers &
laundry room. Take care, continued safe travels.
We are staying in Florence, AZ and drove down to Catalina State Park two days ago to hike the mountains in the park. We enjoyed that park if you haven’t tried it yet. We enjoy the Tucson area much more than the Phoenix area. Just wish the weather (wind/rain/cold) was better than it’s been this winter in the Phoenix/Tucson area.
Just discovered your channel- enjoyed this video! And super cute dog❤
So glad you found a good spot! I totally agree with listening to your intuition and it's good you didn't stay out there. I haven't had nearly the boondocking experience you have, but it does seem to me that desolate places near big cities equal drugs and crime. I did stay at Gilbert Ray 2 years ago in mid November (advance res). It was perfect weather and glorious sunsets! The sites are pretty rough, but I think they were in the SLOW process of regrading and repaved sections at little at a time. Maybe it's done by now!
We stayed at El Pais Motel campground last year it was a harvest host then
I really liked that video you guys did awhile back about Minneapolis; eventually you guys just need to build a nice CrossFit Gym with a health food restaurant where you live above it. All road trips come to an end!
Check out built right industries for a center dash mount for the monitor on the dash. Easy install
Well u just said what happened in Alabama hills. 1 guy got killed and now it's basically closed down. Glad ur still here.
Gotta link. I just googled it and could not find any info on it.
@John Talbert it was on TH-cam a year ish ago.. I never copied a link.. I don't know what happened to it.. but I bet u can look the police records .
The police report's should be public records.. it was a guy and girl pretending to be broke down and a rv couple stopped to help them. The guy rv got killed. They should be in jail they were caught.. but who knows now days. Just be careful.. it sucks but that's the world we live in
@@mikesleigher932 I couldn't find any info on a murder, but did find a TH-cam video on The camping closures for the Alabama Hills. What a shame people have to ruin things.
Yep that sucks
Louie didn't know what to think about the chicken, huh? He's a cutie!! Very wise not to all for that situation. You can't be too careful. Glad you finally found a spot you were happy with. Have fun!!
Can you share info on your rear camera screen mount for the Ford? Thanks
There is Arizona state trust land by Tucson.
It was great meeting you out on the trails! I'm glad you found a safe spot. Beautiful country here in AZ
Yes great meeting you guys as well! Those trails were such an amazing find and the RV park worked out great after a sketchy spot!
You all should search for an Iron Bull Bumper. It would look great on your truck and open doors would not stop you.
exact search The Iron Mule Smashes The Impala - Part 1
It is fun to watch, you should enjoy it
Thanks, we'll check that out!
Cieneguita Campground is only 50 mins or so from Tucson, beautiful spot if you haven’t tried it!
For everyone I thinks about going camping remember you're going can meet people who you think are odd.
Focus on your experience not theirs.
Trk Stop Loves has full hook ups for RV.
Love and enjoy your videos, be safe.
January and February is a very busy time in the Tucson and Phoenix area with snowbirds. Try Catalina State Park in Tucson next time. We seem to have a better chance with state parks trying early in the day.
We've heard the Catalina area is quite beautiful! We have not been to that area north of Tucson yet!
@@IreneIronTravels We love Tucson. The Catalina St Pk is not far from the Sabino Canyon area you might enjoy.
We were in that area about a week before you were there. We boondocked at the Pump Station BLM land just north and west of Tucson. Nice area, well spaced out sites, not sketchy at all and very quiet, except for the occasional fighter jet, lol! It's about 20 min from Saguaro NP West. No marked hiking trails but plenty of space to make your own. We stayed at Diamond J's last year when we were in the area. Nice place we would definitely go back to again.
We have heard Pump station is pretty good. It seems to be far enough from town👍
I just stayed at Pump Station BLM also. Felt very safe there. I will definitely be going back.
Same here, just stayed at Pump Station a couple weeks ago and really liked it
Lol - we were in Tucson at the same time. It was indeed colder than expected
Very surprising! ❄️🌵
Unrelated to this video, but when did you take the tent off the truck? We watch all your vids but must have missed this. With Louie, it would have been tough to use.
Hey guys I'm struggling through this one; Be clear where this is, if not ......yup you get it...
Always better to stay safe. I watched the digital barbell interview and Chris mentioned 2 puppies. Did the breeder visit go too well?
Thanks Rick! 🐶🤫🤣
Just subscribed to your channel. Enjoyed the video. I’m glad you listened to your intuition. Stay safe out there!! 😊
Thanks for subbing!
Lets do some numbers. The RV industry sells around 500,000 units per year, so looking at say the last 5 years (2018-2022) both pre and during Covid when lots of new people decided to go RVing, 2,500,000 new RV were sold. Add that to the millions already out there. A lot (most?) people RV during the warmer months, May-Sep. And many of those head to the West for a bucket-list tour of National Parks, the mountains, etc. So, the question is, where are these millions of RV'ers going to camp? As we are all now discovering, there are a lot of RVs and very few, if any, new campgrounds added to the mix. Drive by an RV dealership these days and you will find overflowing lots. Why? High prices, limited campsites (assuming those who are considering a new RV have even given this a thought), high interest rates, very high truck prices (you got to pull it with something other than mom's Honda). So, nationwide, millions of new RV'ers with no place to enjoy their new $40,000 to $100,000+ investment. They are making payments on something they can't even use when and where they want to and it's becoming a frustrating and expensive lesson.
Have you been on any of the RV campsite rental websites (recreation.gov, etc.) and actually found an available campsite when and where you want it? Have you tried to figure out their "release" policy? Do you think you can beat hundreds or thousands of other campers to a reservation when they do release them at exactly 8 am EST? I've tried, believe me, and its almost impossible. Houston, we have a problem that will probably only be solved by either a major depression or $10 gas.
Have to agree with you. Most of those RV's are probably sitting in storage. I don't think many people do any research on finding camping spots before buying a rig.
Great job, glad that worked out for ya !
Be safe out there
Is your airfryer a Cosori? Big recall on them over 2 million, they are catching on fire so you might want to check your model # - mine was on the recall list
Airzona is busy and I notice that your GPS is not a garmin rv785 hummmmmmm not good well good enough but the app on the garmin for camping is a good thing
Definitely!
I’d have tried Caballo Loco west of Tucson.
Great video! I sure am enjoying your content. We plan on traveling to the Arizona during some of winter months in a year or two. Wyoming during the winter is a challenge. I know you have a Corsori Air fryer. Some models have been recalled and Corsori is replacing them. I guess they are catching on fire. Thanks again for the great content.
Thanks Doreen! yes, ours is on the list unfortunately!
I bought an RV, hoping to be a work camper eventually , because they don’t allow diy vans. I have regrets because a van build may have been the better choice. No going back now, because I’m underwater in the RV loan
A lot of people don't realize there is a Saguaro National West, where you were, and East, clear across Tucson. And they look quite different.
Thats very true! We haven't done Saguaro East yet!
@@IreneIronTravels Are you still in AZ? We got blown out of Quartzsite yesterday and are camping down closer to Yuma today. Bright and sunny but cool.
i think the more rural areas tend to be safer, because of less people. but there's also an issue of some crazy a$$ person doing something stupid. a lot of good people out there, but there's enough of crazy people to make one paranoid. keep vigilant and safe.
New subscriber! Glad I found your channel! I look forward to watching your travels! Thanks for sharing your travel videos with all of us, love your truck and RV!
Awesome! Thank you!
Yep you have to use your gut feelings about your security and safety! You made the right choice.
Definitely! I felt very venerable towing the trailer too... and not being able to maneuver quickly if needed. No way we were stopping...
I'm a retired (disabled) L.E.O........never stop unless somebody is bleeding.
True Story: when my son was stationed in Charleston on the way home from duty late at night he pulled over to help a woman broke down. While Mike was leaning over the engine her male accomplice came from the side of the car with a pistol. As he told Mike to get on his knees assassination style Mike was able to unfold his lock back knife he always carried and cut the guys neck. The woman came at Mike with a knife cutting him. Mike kicked her off of him, grabbed the guy's pistol and held it on her. She still had the knife, Mike told her to drop it, she came at Mike again with the knife. Mike shot her in the shoulder with her boyfriends pistol, the bullet fragmented, hit her heart and she died.
Her boyfriend was still alive and admitted what they did on the way to the hospital. A couple of guys who were at a gas station alongside a service road saw and heard what happened and verified Mike's statement to the Police. Oddly the Police found in their car over a pound of coke, several thousand dollars in cash. This couple had three arrest warrants for murder, apparently the same scenario. My son was lucky that night.
Don't stop, if it looks like they need help, call 911.......that's what we're there for.
Hey Richard 👋 Wow, that's a crazy story! So glad to hear your son came out unharmed.....but still what an experience to go through....
Gee, I wonder why every dang campsite in the West, has been overrun with RV'ers with cameras and a story to tell.😂
You should check out Empire ranch in az off highway 83 or Patagonia lake campground. Empire ranch is blm. And free for 14 days. There’s chances of seeing pronghorns on the ranch
PRE---PLAN your stop hours before--You guys know the deal YOUR OTR !