One afternoon in February 2019 while spending 14-days at an BLM (Bureau of Land Management) property known as Saddle Mountain Forest located in Tonopah AZ. I was stretched out on my couch admiring the clouds and mountains which I am sure you have discovered by now; these views including wilderness animals and meeting like-minded strangest, who enjoys the same no-mad lifestyle as I are my favorite things to do.
It was at this time, I observed a lady, who kept stopping every second or so to dig at the ground. Then she’ll pick something up and put it in her knapsack. Because she kept performing this same ritual over-and-over again, I was curious to find out what she was doing and why. As an enquiring mind person. I went outside; introduced myself and ask what was she doing.
Hello, my name is Edith. I ‘ve been watching you for the last several minutes. What are you doing?
The lady laughed. “My name is Rose, and I am collecting rocks, gems and minerals to make jewelry which I sell to the general public and jewelry store owners at annual events (i.e. rock and gem shows, gem and mineral shows and arts and craft fairs),” she replied.
Wow. Rose, that sounds like an amazing hobby and profession. “Yes, for me it is, because as an artist I decide on the design and/or creation of my jewelry based on the selling value of the rock; the rock’s color, its original shape as well as my rock cutting skills. As a result, I decide if one rock or a variety of rocks would serve a female or male customer better as a bracelet, brooch, necklace, ring or a pair of earrings. I use the same process when designing my specialty line of cactus necklaces.
Mmm…Cactus necklaces? Rose Laughed. “They aren’t prickly once I am done with them. Further, it makes beautiful necklaces. In fact, customers really like these unique designs which is one of my best-selling ornaments. I love your mobile home. Are you a full-time Rv’er or a part-timer, she asked?
I am a full-timer, I replied. What about you? I am a full-timer as well. But currently my mobile home is old and falling apart which I intend to replace soon. However, my mobile home being old isn’t a big issue right now for me because I live in Why AZ which is a great and inexpensive location to live in comparison to many rv parks (i.e. many rv parks only allow mobile homes that are 1 to 10 years old to park at their campgrounds). However, my Coyote Howl Campground’s manager/owner’s only requirement is that your residential vehicle (i.e. mobile home, bus, van, car or whatever you call home) can crank up and move to another spot if needed. In addition, my neighbors consist of painters, music writers, rock collectors, sculptors’ and many others, she said.
It sounds like a cool place to live Rose. I assure you; I will visit Coyote Howl one day, because I love exploring forests and cool inexpensive places to live, I replied.
Now, that you know how and why I visited Why, AZ. I would like to share my findings:
I discovered there were two Coyote Howls (East and West). Coyote Howls East is a primitive campground whereas, Coyote Howls RV Park West is a full-service hookup community neighborhood with assigned addresses; consisting of long-term and weekend residents. As well as, travelers passing through like myself. Because I don’t like community or development living, I spent one-day at Coyote Howls RV Park West. Therefore, other than stated above I know nothing about Coyote Howls West.
Upon moving up the road to Coyote Howls East, a Primitive Campground. I found this area though primitive to be very calming with wide open spaces. Here, residents can park and live wherever he/she wish. As well as, move to another area if it fits their fancy. Amenities includes a laundromat, library, bath houses, dump sewage systems, water spickets and a business office that enable residents to send/ receive mail and packages.
Rates at Coyote Howls East are as follows: Daily rate – $10.00; Weekly rate – $42.00 and Monthly rate – $125.00.
A flyer for Coyote Howls RV Park West indicates: Daily rate – $22.00; Weekly rate – $145 and Monthly rate – $230.00 plus electricity. If it hadn’t been for the heat: 90 something to 107 degrees during the day and 92 to 97 degrees at night, I would have stayed for a month or more. However, during my short stay, I met some interesting/friendly folks and enjoyed views of sky, clouds and mountainous terrain. Many residents said, “its normally not this hot. We might have one or two really hot days here and there. Just come back and visit with us in October.”
Anyway, I hope you can see and enjoy the few images I captured in pictures. It was just too hot to take pictures during the day.
