Two RV Gypsies: Full-Time RVers
(and Professional Travelers)
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how Karen & Lee Duquette became two RV Gypsies
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go to webpage built by Karen plus other RV pages
go to the page that will explain the different photo buttons on this website
helpful information for RVers
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learn about Brian Lee Duquette
 
photos/history of continental USA by the two RV Gypsies
 photos/history in Canada from the two RV Gypsies photos/history Alaska from the two RV Gypsies
Chiricahua National Munument sign A “Wonderland of Rocks” is waiting for you to explore at Chiricahua National Monument. This forest of rock spires was eroded from layers of ash deposited by the Turkey Creek Volcano eruption 27 million years ago. The 8 mile paved scenic drive and 18 miles of day-use hiking trails provide opportunities to discover the beauty, natural sounds, and inhabitants of this 11,985 acre site.
Chiricahua wilderness area notice
The Chiricahua Mountains are one of the many "sky island" ranges in southern Arizona. They rise like islands from the surrounding grassland "sea". Plants and animals from four ecosystems; Rocky Mountains, Sierra Madre Mountains, Sonoran & Chihuahuan Deserts, meet here. Watch for black bear, mountain lions, Arizona white-tail deer, coati-mundis, snakes & lizards, and a variety of birds.
 
Approaching Chiricahua National Park
wild deer
wild deer
wild deer
 
The two RV Gypsies took a 7.3 mile hike up the mountain, which took almost all day because it was a very strenuous hike as you will see in the photos below. They also ventured off on several 1.1 mile loops such as the Heart of Rocks Loop that has many of the most unusual rock formations in the monument. Lots of rock steps make this a challenging loop, but it’s worth the effort.
 
The Lower Rhyolite Canyon Trail begins as an easy level walk in the lower canyon forest, but soon starts climbing up Rhyolite Canyon. Then, Sarah Deming Canyon gains 880 ft to reach the top of the ridge. These photos will show you the difficulty of the trail, followed by the unbelievable scenery from the top of the mountain. So scroll down and enjoy.
Lee Duquette at the start of the trail
Karen Duquette at the start of the trail
Karen Duquette on the easy part of The Lower Rhyolite Canyon Trail
Karen Duquette on the easy part of the trail
Karen Duquette checking her camera
the trail starts getting strenuous
OMG - what a rough trail
lee Duquette on the trail
Karen Duquette on the trail
Karen Duquette on the trail
Lee checks the map
Karen hesitates before stepping up a rock almost knee high
Karen has to step up over a big rock
Karen has to step up over a big rock
Karen must step up another big, then around several smaller rocks
Karen has to step up over a big rock
Karen on the trail
a very rocky uphill trail
Karen Duquette on the trail
Lee Duquette on the rocky trail
Lee Duquette on the rocky trail
Lee Duquette pauses to admire the scenery
Karen Duquette pauses to catch her breath
Lee Duquette
Lee admires the view
Lee Duquette on the trail
A big rock blocks a very narrow path, but Lee conquers the challenge.
A big piece of rock in the middle of a narrow trail
Lee on "the steps"
Lee beside the tree in the middle of the trail.
 You can barely see Lee's head as the trail takes him between large rocks.
can you find Lee by the tree?
Lee's head can barely be seen above the rock
Lee & Karen Duquette - the two RV Gypsies - VERY TIRED and they still have to finish the trail and then go back down to their car
Lee takes a much needed break
Karen is so tired and now it is time to start back down the trail
next adventure of the two RV gypsiesNow that you saw the difficult hike up the mountain, click here for the breath-taking scenery at the top of the mountain, including The Heart of Rocks area which has the most unusual named formations; Duck on a Rock, Punch & Judy, Kissing Rocks, and Big Balanced Rock, and more.