McVickers Family Adventure Team Memorial Day Weekend AZ Backcountry Adventure!

[tdesanto]

Brain,

It sounds like the family had a great time. I'm glad to see all the smiles and great photos.

My favorites:

1.

"super special mountain ice cream"

2.

...they hiked the entire way, up and back, on their own. One seven inch stride at a time!

Fantastic.

 

[Cypher]

Wow great trip report and nice pics! I just recently drove the Senators Hwy on the way up to the Expo in Prescott Valley. That was the first time that I had driven it and now want to spend a little more time exploring as you have done. Thanks for sharing!

 

[RgrBox]

Thanks,
Your upcoming trip sounds wonderful, places I would love to explore!


Surprisingly, all four of us can fit into that Maggiolina Airland - Size Small!
It is not exactly a place to spread out for maximum comfort but it's not bad either. The Large size would be perfect.
The trick we found is to have the kids sleep toe to toe with Amy and I on either side with our heads on opposite ends. The other trick is to go up into the tent in stages, all of us awake in the tent at once gets the kids all excited and crazy and the space is definitely too small for craziness. Oliver, our dog, sleeps in the back of the truck.


Sure, big cats, scorpions, spiders and snakes are always on my mind as potential threats. I'm not an expert on any of them which probably makes me even more wary. In selecting a camp spot I always get out and check the area before we settle in and we have to constantly remind the kids not to go poking in holes or turn over rocks....everyone, including our dog, does a pretty good job at staying close together.

Regarding personal safety from other people, it is certainly a concern especially when we are traveling alone in one vehicle in remote areas. When making camp we usually try to back in, placing the vehicle pointed towards the main exit and with access to any secondary exit points.

Brian

Thanks for your answers. I too am very careful of where and when.. I use those 10 years of Military experince when in the outdoors, plus the last 13 years of teaching outdoor education etc.. I know the former chief instructor "Kevin" of The Tom Brown Tracking School. From the statistics he showed me, most of those lost in the outdoors are Children, and many times it's Mountian lions tha tget them. This one statement, put the worry meter to max on my mind.. Anyone on here ever carry a weapon. I do carry my handgun from tiem to time. But depends on where we go. Hard to carry acorss EUROPE..

Thanks Again,

RB

 

[Brian McVickers]

From the statistics he showed me, most of those lost in the outdoors are Children, and many times it's Mountian lions tha tget them. RB

Great, that's comforting!

 

[FourByLand]

Great trip report!

Thanks for sharing, Brian. Glad to see more activity from you, for sure!

 

[Willman]

Thanks J,
We're even looking at putting a "McVickers Family Adventure Team" decal on the truck. :rally_guys:

Priceless!!

Great family trip!

:sombrero:

 

[SOAZ]

Awesome Brian!!! Nice shots! Now YOU gave me some new places to check out up there! :bike_rider:

 

[Cabrito]

Great stuff! You guys in AZ have all the fun!
Thanks for sharing.

..

 

[DaktariEd]

Nice trip Brian & Amy!
And I love the "McVickers Family Adventure Team" idea. :victory:
Perfect sticker for the LR. :smiley_drive:

 

[Scott Brady]

Looks like fun Brian! Thanks for posting up the photos

Now... You need to drive the Mogillon Rim Road, or Schnebly Hill. Both get you into the cool pines.

 

[adventureduo]

Right on Brian, cool trip man and the rig looks great. The family looks like they had a great time. The pre-filters work man, i empty mine every trip and man it takes in a bunch of debris.

 

[Mlachica]

Isn't it so amazing when the kids have a great time? I love seeing my boys excited about the outdoors, it's very rewarding. Great job guys!

And how the heck do you fit all your stuff in there?! It's not bad when it's just the 4 of us but if I want to bring my dog he takes up half the space in the back...

Keep up the good work McVickers Family Adventure Team :smiley_drive:

 

[lostworldexpedition]

What are they shouting there? "Dad!!! We want food now!!!" It looks like and awesome family trip. Thanks for sharing Brian.

We're even looking at putting a "McVickers Family Adventure Team" decal on the truck. :rally_guys:

That is an awesome idea, a t-shirt would be cool too!

 

[Brian McVickers]

What are they shouting there? "Dad!!! We want food now!!!" It looks like and awesome family trip. Thanks for sharing Brian.

Ha! Even better, I told them that I thought I had heard a wild turkey and that they should sing the Albuquerque Turkey song to try and draw them in closer so we could see them! I had them singing and running all over camp trying to see the turkeys.

We never saw any turkeys that night but ironically we saw three of them crossing the road in front of us on the way out of camp!


Albuquerque the Turkey:rockon:
Albuquerque is a turkey,
and he's feathered and he's fine.
And he wobbles, and he gobbles
And he's absolutely mine.
----
He's the best pet
That you can get
Better than a dog or cat
He's my Albuquerque Turkey
And I'm mighty proud of that!!

Tune: My Darling Clementine