This years Spring Outing will be the weekend of April 27 28 29.
We will be exploring the desert and Mountain areas of Yavapai, Mojave, and La Paz Counties Arizona.

Terry will post details about lodging ... we think we have a new place to stay!

Dave

I think we'll be staying in Salome again, but at a new motel. Some might camp in the mountains. I believe there are a combination of around 36 lizard and snake species in the area, and some of those will be lifers for me. I'll be checking out the lodgings later and will post back on this thread.

Hope we get a good turnout...

Terry

Dont bother checking for rooms in Laughlin,
the Bike Run is that wkend..

And dont bother going to the River Run either... ever since the shoot out the River Run has sucked a** big time!

Dave

I booked the two best rooms at the Westward Motel in downtown Salome (208/610-3516), for the 27, 28, and 29th. They only have four rooms altogether and the other two won't be available for long. Cody and I have one room and I'm saving the other for Dave and one other. The rooms are really best for a couple, because there's only one large bed in each. But my two rooms each have a large couch in addition. The last two rooms have only one bed and no couch, so probably not good for multiple herpers. The price is $65/night. The rooms are nice and there's a separate room for community kitchen. There's also a little patio and barbeque. Nice little hideaway.

Other rooms are available at the Sheffler's Motel, the place Dave and I have stayed at the last two years. One room has two separate beds and a cot and could hold three. I think it was $65/night. It isn't quite as nice a place, but will suffice in a pinch. There might also be rooms in Aquila, about 20 miles, or so down the road (Hwy 60). In addition, Wickenburg is another 15 -20 miles east and has everything. Rooms there start at $70/night for the cheap ones. We stayed there last weekend. Best Western is $80/night and probably tax in addition.

I'm seriously thinking of investing in some camping gear for some of my outings. Between gas and lodging, these weekend outings are getting expensive. BTW, if you don't want to stay in Salome or one of the other towns, there are places in the mountains you can put up a tent, or whatever.

I'll be driving west to Salome on Friday and hope to be there for some evening road cruising. Will check in to the motel and get up early for herping and hiking Saturday morning in the mtns. There are several mtn ranges nearby. Also, there's a bar and grill in Salome that has karoake on Friday nights, but their liquid refreshments are probably their best feature...haha! Saturday afternoon, it's probably time to record some of the areas cool lizards and Sat. night some more road cruising; but much of that is up to Dave too. Sunday and Monday are optional and we'll have to see who shows and what everyone wants to do. Many options.

More later....Terry

I would check Quartzsite for a room before Wickenburg because its a bit closer. Aguila has no rooms that I know of, or would want to trust.

Dave

Do you want me to hang on to the Westward room for you?

The room you are talking about holding is the one with just one bed in it?

Yes, they all have one big bed; but the one's I'm holding also have a good sized couch. ..

All:

Please take and post lots of photos. I will be viewing vicariously from Boston. I am already thinking about this summer. Please let us know as early as possible about the time of the summer outing--I would love to tag along again...

Robert

Robert

Glad to see you are stil lurking here. We will defintely announce the Monsoon outing as soon as we can.

However photos and the like for the spring event will likely be delayed to avoid any "posting habitat, animal, time of year" issues.


Dave

We mainly need to avoid posting about certain sensitive species. Most of our finds we can post on fairly soon after the outing, imho.

Dave, did you decide on the room, yet, or not?

TC

Yes. I'm in for the room. Just trying to locate a roomie.

Looks like I'll be able. Now just have to figure transportation.

You can ride with me if you need to Steve.

Ok so I am 110% in...Im going to try to get friday night off of work and i can definately get sat off...Im heading up early while its still dark sat morning to salome....Looking forward to meeting all you guys and making new friends....Heck i might even learn a thing or two....lol

Terry it was good talking to you last night and Dave the same for you...

Talk to yall friday.....

Jonathan

I may be in one of those areas mentioned... might see you guys around there.

Here is a very lose schedule for this weekend...

Friday
You're on your own until...
Meet at the official event "hotel" [Westward Motel in downtown Salome (208/610-3516)] at 7 pm for a get head count and get acquainted gathering
Road cruise or whatever after

Sat
7AM Meet for breakfast at the Diner/Saloon across the street from Sheffler's Motel for breakfast.
after breakfast head out into the field

Saturday Night
Road Cruise, or whatever

Sunday Morninig
Repeat of Sat morning

Any questions or directions out in the field... my cell is 623 760 6053. Be aware I have ATT so I may not here you. That and my phone wont always let me answer an incoming call. Leave a message and I will call you back.

Dave Weber

Dave, I think we should eat at 6 a.m. if possible. When ordering and waiting, etc, it takes about an hour, and it takes about an hour to get to our site. Better early than late, but I don't know when the diner opens....

Terry

I'm not sure it is open that early ... I seem to remember them having a tough enough time showing up at 0700!

Dave

For those who didn't go..... here is a little bit of what you missed....

And then there was .... a neo atrox


and a young molossus ...


and another shot of the meal ...


a Longnosed Snake ...


a Mojave Shovelnose Snake ...


a Great Basin Collared Lizard ...



and among others, a Chuckwalla.


Thank you Terry Cox, Justin Viloria and his brother Mike, and Cody Hurlock for coming out.

I was already sad I couldn't go, then you had to post those pics. There were two AZ Lifers and that kingsnake eating! What a trip.

All:

After nearly 10 consecutive days of rainy or cold days, I am very jealous. The shot of the kingsnake is awesome. And the shovelnose, that is a lifer for me.

But hope springs (summers) eternal, and I hope to be there for the monsoon outing.

Robert

Look forward to seeing you again, Robert...

Terry