SURPRISE, ARIZONA - AVONDALE, ARIZONA - APRIL 23-29, 2025

SURPRISE, ARIZONA - AVONDALE, ARIZONA - APRIL 23-29, 2025

After our time in Williams, Arizona we headed to Surprise, Arizona where we had booked a stay through HipCamp to stay on private property for 6 nights.  The advertisement for the space made it look very nice and accommodating.  The listing indicated "Site 1 has beautiful sunset views to the West. We are located out of the city hustle and bustle. The days are quiet. The nights are pitch black with no signs of being close to a big city. All you hear is the coyotes serenading you to sleep."

The picture that accompanied the ad.

The next morning, we were awakened at 5am by construction vehicles, cement trucks and consistent pounding.  It turns out that a new development was being built directly next to the property and on down the road.  Our hosts gave us no indication that there would be construction going on during our stay.  They certainly had advance notice.  We told them we were going to find another place to stay, as we didn't want to be awakened every morning at 5am.  It could have been a beautiful stay - we've really learned how to pivot!  



The sights we saw at 5am.  Ugh.

We found another HipCamp nearby, Heart & Soil Ranch, and we finished our stay there.  

Their barn

The neighbors' goats


The fire ring & barn

Our hosts, Steve & Wendy, were very accommodating, and also gave us our privacy. The neighbors have sheep that were fun to listen to. The Great Tailed Grackles serenaded us all day long. Our dogs had free run of the property as it is fully fenced. We didn't build a fire, but their fire pit area is outstanding. The location is close to Phoenix and Goodyear. We had the opportunity to walk several trails, and visit Goodyear Park, where our Guardians do their Spring Training.

Sights from Goodyear Ball Park

I'm glad we were able to make the best of an unfortunate situation and find another place to stay while in the Phoenix area.  Next stop Tucson, Arizona.

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