Apache Junction, AZ

State: Arizona
​Where we stayed: Lost Dutchman State Park

So we've been pretty impressed with the Arizona state parks we've stayed at so far. Matt had heard good things about this one and we were not let down. First, check out this amazing sunset... I climbed up the ladder on the back of the rv and took the photo from the roof. I have to say that AZ has some pretty outstanding sunsets - between the sky colors and the wide views... wow.

We invited my brother Geoff (aka Brown Beard Santa) and his boys to come hang out with us in the rv. Good times. Our first mission was to tackle these awesome looking Superstition Mountains behind us. The trail was uphill and rocky, but the kids all made it to our turnaround point without too many complaints.

Check out my adorable nephews! And can you believe this is Arizona? It was actually pretty green and just awesome looking!

The view on the way back down... the storm clouds made it look extra pretty.

After the hike we hunkered down for a game of Munchkin.

...and then that segued to some nerf gun battles.

Goldfield Ghost Town
Apache Junction, AZ

Viewable from the campground is Goldfield Ghost Town - an old ghost town that has been fixed up so that you can happily spend all your hard-earned money on souveneirs, a zipline ride or cowboy hat. We told the kids they could each pick one activity to do. So while Jack was tesing out the zipline (he said it was terrifying), I took Kaylie and Emmet on a pretty neat little mine tour. When the tourguide showed us the miner's potty chair on rails, Emmett had all kind of questions for her. Overall I'd say this ghost town had a similar vibe to Calico (near Barstow, CA), a fun way to spend a couple hours.