How To Survive Camping In 105 Degree Heat—Yikes!

Above, morning at Crazy Horse Campgrounds in Lake Havasu. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Camping in hot weather can cause heat stroke and other maladies. I have camped in hot conditions a few times.

Generally, those hot camps were in the desert (where else?) such as Lake Havasu, Arizona and, more recently, in Quartzsite, Arizona. 

In Lake Havasu, I generally stay at the Crazy Horse Campgrounds where they have electric hook-ups to power the motorhome air conditioner (plus the nearby lake). In Quartzsite, where we dry camped, we had to use some engenuity.

RV Travel posted some tips by Nanci Dixon for surviving camping in 105° heat.

She begins with:

We have started (well, almost) our RV summer migration to the cool green northern clime. But first, we needed to get all the floors in our house redone after an installer error. So instead of camping by pristine blue lakes lined with tall pines, we are in the hot brown desert lined with cactus.

We are using this time to get everything up to par for the trip and the summer: replacing water filters, recharging the water softener, checking the engine and generator, and fixing things neglected when we returned to Arizona. (I wrote more about our packing routine in Friday’s newsletter.)

What we didn’t factor in all this work is the brutal Arizona heat. Unfortunately, we are familiar with it from when we were camp hosts here late one year.

Here are the things we do to stay comfortable. While some seem like no-brainers, I am reminded that my brain didn’t remember.

To read more, go here. 

Crazy Horse Campgrounds Lost This Customer

Above, at Crazy Horse Campgrounds in 2019. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A good way for a business to lose customers is to refuse to provide a service they have done in the past.

Such is the case with Crazy Horse Campgrounds in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. As I am only going to be in town until tomorrow, I am staying at Mitch Geriminsky's (in his driveway) instead of staying at Crazy Horse as I normally do. 

I stopped there around 11:00 this morning to use their RV holding tank dump station. I have done so in the past when I have stayed at Mitch's and needed to empty the holding tanks. They charged a fee of $10-15.

I pulled up to the entrance gate shack and told the attendant what I was there for. He said he never handled such a request and proceeded to call the main office for instructions. After he got off the phone, he said he was told that they no longer provide that service.

I said that I have been a regular customer of theirs since 2015 and they have always provided this service. That didn't make any difference. 

So I pulled over to the area where the dump station is located to turn around and use my phone to find a dump station I could use. He then came over and said that I would have to pull out of that area. I looked and there was nobody coming in and I was not in anyone's way. 

I found a dump station available at the Lake Havasu State Park. So I went there and took care of emptying the holding tanks. I got some literature on the state park and they have water and electric hook-up sites, along with the dump station. And, they accept reservations.

It looks like I'll be staying there in the future. If Crazy Horse Campgrounds wants to treat nine-year customers this way, fuck 'em. They don't need my business anymore.

RV Life: Discover Lake Havasu City

Above, jet skiing on Lake Havasu. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Over the past several years, it has been somewhat of a pattern for me to go to Lake Havasu, Arizona. It is usually to visit friends and spending holidays with them. I usually average 2-3 visits per year.

Some of the things I've done in Lake Havasu includes boating, jet skiing, skeet shooting, camping and restauranting. I usually camp at Crazy Horse Campgrounds in my motorhome.

Above, camping at Crazy Horse Campgrounds. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

RV Life has posted an article on the things one can do in Lake Havasu.

They begin it with:

The sunny desert town of Lake Havasu City offers RVers a welcome respite from the winter weather up north. Located 150 miles south of Las Vegas, Lake Havasu City is a stone’s throw away from the Nevada border. The destination offers something for everyone. Centrally located and a popular choice with RVers year round is Lake Havasu State Park, set along the shores of picturesque Lake Havasu. The lake, which is actually a reservoir, was created when Palmer Dam was constructed on the Colorado River in the 1930s. The reservoir created nearly 450 miles of shoreline.

To read more, go here. 

Lake Havasu's London Bridge

Above, a view of London Bridge from the lake. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Lake Havasu, Arizona is a haven for water sports enthusiasts. Since I have friends there, I've been there several times. Last month was my most recent visit.

RV Travel has posted an article on the story of London Bridge. I have driven across the bridge many times as I usually stay at Crazy Horse Campgrounds on The Island that the bridge connects to.

Above, a nighttime crossing on London Bridge. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The article begins with:

Lake Havasu City, Ariz., is home to one of the most unusual tourist attractions in America — the London Bridge. Yes, the real London Bridge, the one that was falling down in London and by the mid-1960s needed to be replaced. The bridge was once a huge tourist attraction. But the last few times I have visited, its “English Village” was like a ghost town.

Robert McCulloch, who made chainsaws, bought the bridge in 1968 for $2.46 million and had it shipped to what is now Lake Havasu City—then a dusty outpost along man-made Lake Havasu. After buying 3,353 acres of land along the lake in 1958 for a master retirement community, the government tossed in another 13,000 acres for free if McCulloch would agree to develop it. So he bought the bridge as a promotional gimmick, shipped it over brick by brick from London, then reassembled it over the desert next to his new city. When it was done, he dug a canal beneath it so the bridge could actually cross some water. 

 To read more, go here.

6 Hacks For Perfect RV Reservations

Above, this weekend at Crazy Horse Campgrounds in Lake Havasu. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since I bought my Winnebago Class C eight years ago, I have had no difficulty in securing campsite reservations. I guess I am just plain lucky. That includes where I am camping at this moment, Crazy Horse Campgrounds in Lake Havasu, Arizona. Being already in their computer system is probably a help. Many places like repeat customers.

But there are areas around the country where getting a campsite reservation is more difficult. RV Life has an article of six "hacks" (or tips) for getting RV reservations.

They begin with:

Making RV reservations isn’t rocket science—but with the surge of travelers, it is increasingly challenging to secure great campsites in popular parks.

As someone who has been on the other end of the line taking reservations, sometimes there is just nothing I can do to get you into the park at the last minute. However, there are some strategies to optimize your chances of securing a spot in your preferred park.

To read more, go here. 

Lake Havasu Boat Fire

Above, pleasure boat on fire. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

While Mitch was helping a friend out in court, I was at the Crazy Horse Campgrounds.

I decided to make use of the park's pool and jacuzzi. 

Above, the pool and jacuzzi. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Just a few minutes before the timer was to shut off, I spotted a black plume of smoke at the lake.

It was a boat fire about 200 yards from the campground's shore. It seemed like a long time before the fire department got out to the burning boat to put out the fire.

I did manage to take some photos of it.  Obviously, someone's weekend has been ruined.

Above, boat fire smoke from the pool area. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, after the fire department arrived. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Crazy Horse Campgrounds

A little while ago, I took a walk to take my trash to the dumpster.

While doing so, I took a few photos of the campground area I'm camped at.

Within the photos are the pickleball court, swimming pool, rental cablins and the lake.

Daybreak In Lake Havasu

Above, this morning at daybreak. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After yesterday's 400+ mile drive from New Mexico to Lake Havasu, I was pretty worn out.

It is no wonder why I feel asleep last night as soon as I hit the pillow. I ended up having a good 8-hour sleep. 

Today will be spent running around town with Mitch Geriminsky. Doing what, I don't know. Tomorrow, he plans for some skeet shooting early tomorrow morning with four other friends. I've never done any skeet shooing before. The closest was some trap shooting in Sacramento back in the 1980s. I think it might have been when I was there for a wedding and joining E Clampus Vitus. 

In Lake Havasu

Above, at Crazy Horse Campgrounds at Lake Havasu. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yesterday, I drove the 400+ miles to Lake Havasu City, Arizona for Mitch Geriminsky's birthday bash tomorrow.

I checked into the Crazy Horse Campgrounds at the lake. I didn't get a lakeside site this time. I am in a section up the hill from there that has sewer connections.

All went well until after I attached my water hose to the spigot and turned it on. When I turned it on, the whole spigot and pipe shot off and I had a geyser of water hit me. It was like a busted fire hydrant. I contacted the campground's office and they sent a guy out to repair it right away.

At least I can say I enjoyed the waters of Lake Havasu. I dried off pretty fast as it was over 100° outside. 

10 WAYS TO BEAT THE HEAT WHILE RV CAMPING

Above, at Crazy Horse Campgrounds at Lake Havasu in August 2019. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Do you know what tomorrow is? In case you don't, the summer solstice arrives tomorrow morning. That means tomorrow is the first day of summer. This is the time when people are out vacationing and trying to find ways to cool off.

That includes RVers.

My motorhome has a roof air conditioner. For the most part, it works just fine. But a few times in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, it barely was able to keep the inside of the RV cool from the blistering heat (in excess of 110°).

Do It Yourself RV has some tips (ten of them) on how to beat the heat in your RV.

They begin with:

As the weather heats up, we all begin planning summer road trips and camping adventures. Warm temperatures encourage us to get outside, go swimming, and bask in the sun. But at the end of the day, you’ll need a nice, cool RV to help you beat the heat.

Many RVers overheat during the summer because their vehicle can’t compete with the blazing sun. A built-in AC system is great, but it can drain a lot of power (especially if you’re boondocking). Fortunately, there are plenty of strategies that you can use to cool down your living space and enjoy summer to the fullest.

Below we have 10 tips to beat the heat. They’re simple, cheap, and low effort, so give them a try! Feel free to use your AC as much as you want, but just remember that these tips might help you become less dependent on this system.

To read more, go here. 

Survey Finds Campgrounds Booked Up For Summer

Above, The Beast at Crazy Horse Campgrounds at Lake Havasu. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

With sky-high gasoline and diesel prices, one would think that there would be plenty of open campsites for summer vacationing.

Oddly, the opposite appears to be true: campgrounds and RV parks are booked up. The RVIA (Recreational Vehicle Industry Association) as released a survey whose findings are interesting, to say the least.

RV Travel has posted an article on this and they begin it with:

If you’ve been having a hard time finding a place to park your RV, it’s not your imagination. In what may be the first comprehensive effort to inventory the nation’s supply of campgrounds and campsites, the RV Industry Association (RVIA) released a survey on May 18th in which the number one finding—ta-da!—is that campgrounds during peak season are basically full.

No surprise, right? Yet, while the study’s conclusions are unremarkable, what’s interesting are their underlying data and the fact that it’s taken this long to assemble them. KOA (Kampgrounds of America), The Dyrt and others have been taking the pulse of campground demand, and ARVC (the National Association of RV Parks & Campgrouds) periodically samples the universe of private campgrounds. But an overall understanding of the supply side of the equation has been so primitive that the industry hasn’t been able to agree on even how many privately-owned campgrounds there are. (CHM Government Services, the Massachusetts-based consulting firm that did the RVIA’s legwork, cited four sources that had a 40% spread in campground census numbers.)

To read the full article, go here. 

The Advantage of RVs

Above, The Beast at Lake Havasu's Crazy Horse Campgrounds. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

More and more people today are jumping into the "RV lifestyle" and seeing it as a safer way to travel during the pandemic.

There are many advantages to RV travel versus cruises and flying and The Press has an article listing them.

They begin with:

Individuals who are approaching retirement or those who already have said goodbye to the working world may find they are ready to make some life changes. Travel is something many older adults enjoy when they have much more free time to see the sights.

Recreational vehicles are great ways for people to get out and about. An RV is more than just a way to get around; for many people it becomes a lifestyle. According to the RV Industry Association, about 10 million American households own RVs.

There have been more RVs on the road in recent years, and there are now more facilities to accommodate them. RVIA says there are now roughly 18,000 campgrounds around the country, and certain facilities are pushing to improve and upgrade campgrounds in national parks and on federal lands.

Individuals considering if the RV lifestyle is for them can refer to this list of RVing benefits.

To read more, go here.