To Nothing

Desperate to go any path other than the Interstate up California, we chose to go deeper into Nevada on our way back to Grass Valley, but first we had to get out of Arizona. Where we spent our last week – outside of Tucson – is a pretty long drive away from Nevada. Our hope was simply to make it somewhere north of Vegas to spend our final work week for some time in the wild South West. We had a quick stop to make along the way – showers and a water fill at truck stop outside of Gila Bend. This is our third time this season using the showers at this stop, and we were happy to return for a final time. Don’t underestimate truck stops for showers. Although they cost a few dollars ($7 in this case) they have been some of the nicest – and cleanest – showers I’ve used in my experiences. Kerri wasn’t sold at first, but is now a believer… a least she is about this truck stop. No pictures, of course, as we were showering.

Headed North, we bounced off and motored right past the Phoenix area without stopping – once again. The route slowly turned diagonal as we worked our way towards Kingman, Arizona. Not only is it the shortest route to Las Vegas, it will take us past the Hoover Dam, which Kerri had never been. I could tell she was excited because she showed zero interest at all. The plan was to get to Road 129 just south of Interstate 40, and see the damn-dam the following morning. Road 129 was one of Big Blue’s first major off-highway adventures… way back when he was still blue.

There is some beautiful desert between Wickenburg and Kingman and we were passing directly through it, so Kerri started looking at her maps to see what she could find for a new overnight location. I couldn’t argue that it would be better scenery than road 129 with all the cactus and mountains around. So within 30 seconds we were pulling off the highway and down a dirt road where a spot was right there waiting for us… which Kerri promptly rejected. As usual, she wanted to keep going down the dirt road to see what else there might be… always on the prowl for epic boondocking spots. An hour later, and after another perfectly fine spot rejected, we settled into a spot at the top of a rise overlooking the mountains and valleys in all directions. Dinner, a short walk, and some cocktails with the sun set rounded out our evening.

Our spot was only a few miles outside of the small ghost town of Nothing, Arizona. Kerri was infatuated with it to the point of researching the town’s history, which only made her like it more. There really isn’t anything to speak of in Nothing. Just a run down building and a barely-hanging sign with it’s name… and one well placed cell tower for Kerri’s Instagramming pleasures.