619-822-3296 
It was kind of sad to leave Lake Pleasant. We had a fun time playing with Kayden at the lake and we met a really cool family that put their tent up near us the day before we left. It was fun chatting with them. They said that they saw the burro’s the night before we left right next to Spirit. That would have been fun to see them. We had fun there but it was time to move on….
After filling up our water tank and emptying our waste, we were off on a new adventure. Not sure exactly where we were going so we wanted to be prepared. We headed toward Roosevelt Lake. We were told to go to Apache Lake that was past Roosevelt but that the road getting there was dirt and one lane and treacherous in areas so we weren’t sure we wanted to take Spirit on it. It was a long drive up and down mountains getting to Roosevelt Lake. We stopped at a Jakes Corner after turning off of the 87 on to the 188 south to get a Tonto pass so that we could camp anywhere in the area. For $8. A day It was a pretty sweet deal! The lady in the store was really cool but we guessed that by how fun the sign was! She told us that she thought that we could go to Apache Lake so we said “Let’s go for it!”
We passed Roosevelt and checked it out in case we decided to come back. There were tons of campers on the water and it looked pretty flat but it also looked like it was going to be very crowded there over the weekend. We got to go over the beautiful bridge and past the dam.
And then we were on a dirt road that was very wash boarded and windy. But it was very pretty. There was a car stuck but lucky for us, the jeep in front of us pulled him out so we didn’t have to wait long.
We passed a few areas but kept going until we saw the sign for Burnt Coral campground. It was a nice campground and lucky for us, we got a site right by the beach. Score! I couldn’t wait to get out and go swimming and was pleasantly surprised the water was warm!
Mommy and I took a walk to check out the rest of the campground to make sure we got the best site. There was one a little closer to the water but it was a little too close by the looks of the picnic table! We were happy that we didn’t stay there because it got full of jet ski’s, boats and trailers!
We decided to stay put where we were even though we knew that beach would be crowded with kids on the weekend! The best part was there was no cell coverage so mommy couldn’t get on her phone!
The next morning, we inflated the SUP and got on the water at 8:30 a.m. It was pretty windy but we weren’t sure if the wind would die down so we just went for it. The wind was so strong it blew us down the river! Mommy was contemplating a heck of a paddle back!
It was really pretty and we stopped at a few coves along the way to swim. We finally got cell coverage about 2 miles from camp so mommy stopped to text daddy and her friend Shelley. Shelley and her pups were coming in the afternoon to take us 4 –wheeiin’ again. We kept paddling, looking for the marina but never found it and wasn’t sure how much further down it was. One guy told mommy around the next corner and another guy said 5 more miles!
The wind died down a bit and we took advantage and headed back to camp. We were looking for wild animals but the only thing we saw were some cows making camp along the lake!
It was a good 5 mile paddle and we got back to camp, had lunch and went swimming while we waited for Shelley. Shelley had a 2.5 hour drive to get there! We couldn’t believe she was coming with her 3 dogs!
Mommy was so happy that Shelley and her pups came and took us on the Apache Trail. There is no way we would have taken Spirit on that road! It got pretty narrow at times and pretty rutted.
We couldn’t believe that there was a marina, motel and restaurant in the middle of nowhere on that road. There were people camping and fishing there. They had a great spot!
We got to go across a bridge and see a cave.
The rocks were really cool and we had some great views!
We stopped and went swimming at Canyon Lake .
And mommy and Shelley went to a little tiny town called Tortilla Flats and had ice cream! Mommy loves her some ice cream! On the way back, we got to see the sunset.
Man! That was a full day and I was tired! I even slept in the next morning! Mommy was kind of happy that I was tired cause she was determined to paddle to the marina so I slept part of the way.
Don’t worry, I did my share of swimming. We even found some super cool beaches!
The scenery was really pretty down toward to marina. (that is why mommy was set on going there!)
It ended up being a 10+ mile paddle but we had all day so we didn’t care. Plus, the campground was full so we weren’t in any hurry to get back to that!
Mommy noticed that we were the only SUPers on the entire lake. The lake had its share of jet ski’s, speed boats and fishermen and women but nobody in kayaks or on SUPs. Even though it was Earth Day, at times, it smelled pretty bad of fumes which we don’t think is very good for the Earth but everyone was having fun so I guess that is ok.
We got back to camp to a bunch of new neighbors. One family even asked to camp in our spot with us! It was crazy but we let them and everyone was happy. I actually like it when kids play with me, as long as they don’t try to touch me! Mommy got to read her book and I got to eat my bone and we were both happy!
The next day, we had no choice but to get up super early. A fishing tournament started at 5:15 a.m. and we knew that because the guy was on the loud speaker shouting off boat numbers! Between that and the people screaming last night, it was a restless night. But that is ok, we had a lot to do today. We took an early paddle up river to try to see where the other camping area was. The wind was so strong and we were going against the current so we only made it about a mile. Mommy just stopped paddling and let the wind and current take us back to camp! It was pretty relaxing!
We packed up and took off on the 5 mile dirt road back to Roosevelt Dam. It was a very pretty drive but we were happy that it was only 5 miles of bumpy road!
While we were in the area, we decided to check out the Tonto National Monument Indian Caves. Lucky for us that it was National Park week so we got to go see them for free! Mommy couldn’t believe it when he said dogs could go! So we made the ½ mile trek up the hill. It was a great view from up there! Can you spot Spirit down there?
When we go to the caves, the volunteer said that I couldn’t come in and that I had to be tied outside the caves. There was no shade so mommy took a few pics from outside.
We headed back down the hill and mommy made sure she went in the visitor center to tell the guy to not tell people that dogs could go up there if the volunteer was not going to allow the dogs to be tied in the shade! Plus, the trail was getting really hot!
So off we went toward Payson and our next adventure. We weren’t sure where we were going but we decided on Woods Canyon Lake and guess what? We played in the snow so check it out HERE!
