Working on the RV road
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Thursday, May 8, 2008

Holbrook, AZ not a Workamper destination


We spent last night in Holbrook right along I-40 in eastern AZ. The history here is fascinating- this was a rough and tumble wild west town with killings, rustling and range wars. It is near the southern entrance to Petrified Forest National Park. Rock shops with huge plastic and fiberglass dinosaurs plus old Route 66 businesses predominate. A Safeway, Alco and Dollar Store are about it for necessities along with tourist services like fast food, two campgrounds and several motels.

We are staying at the OK RV Park. He hires a local or two since the park is open all year round. This year he has some year-round RVers staying here who are working on a propane pipeline and others working on a power plant. They aren't what we think of as "Workampers."

The other RV park in town is a KOA. I stayed there with my grandkids a few years ago. I don't remember any extra people working there either.

This area would probably not be one to target for working on the RV road. The McDonalds had eight or ten employees on duty last night and no customers when we walked in. A few trickled in later. Besides lack of businesses, "real" shopping would be a couple of hours away in Flagstaff. Actually I did read of a couple volunteering at Petrified Forest National Park but that's about it. I wonder if they realized how far away shopping is when they accepted the position.


Though you won't likely find an advertisement for a Holbrook-area business in Workamper News, it pays to research any job and find out what is near them. You can ask during an interview, but also, by using Google and business Web sites you can find out how far it is to the nearest Wal-Mart or shopping mall. The Visitor Center here in Holbrook could tell you how far it is to the nearest medical clinic or hospital and where people shop. Forums can also give you feedback on what an area is like. Some people like remote but with today's high fuel prices, driving two hours or so each way for shopping might not be appealing.

It's fun to visit a place like this- see the dinosaurs and old Route 66 icons like the Wigwam Motel. I wouldn't want to work here though. Jaimie Hall-Bruzenak

For information on Jaimie's 2nd edition of Support Your RV Lifestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road, see RVBookstore.com

posted by Jaimie Hall-Bruzenak at 6:29 AM

7 Comments:

  • Good Morning,

    I stayed at the KOA in Holbrook in the fall of 2006. It is a great place o stay as you are passing through. The have an outdoor western cook out resteraunt with great food and moderate prices. The steaks were great and the pancakes for breakfast were terriffic.

    Gary, Cheryl, Cody and the Bandit (2 miniture long haired Dachounds)

    By Blogger Gary R, at May 10, 2008 4:41 AM  

  • Thanks for the report! I stayed there probably 7 years ago. My grandkids loved the pool.

    Jaimie

    By Blogger Jaimie Hall-Bruzenak, at May 12, 2008 2:50 PM  

  • I have workamped at Petrified two years in a row now. And I find the area real interesting. You will find shopping closer than flagstaff by heading south to ShowLow. Which is also a beautiful area to visit. I will be going back to Petrified in Sept of this year and next year as well.

    By Anonymous Lee G, at May 24, 2008 7:28 AM  

  • Thanks, Lee. Are you working for pay for the concessionaire or NPS? or volunteering there?

    I agree it is a very interesting and beautiful area. I forgot about Showlow. That would be a bit closer. Jaimie

    By Blogger Jaimie Hall-Bruzenak, at May 24, 2008 7:45 AM  

  • I am a campground owner ( not in Arizona). While the internet is a good source of information, please keep in mind there are instances where negative reviews are given because a "camper" violated rules
    and was asked to leave a particular campground. As a campground owner we do our best to keep our facilities clean, safe and a happy place for our campers to stay, however, on occasion we encounter a camper who does not appreciate what we have done to make his stay pleasant and he must be asked to leave. That camper will post a negative review! Please when you visit the RV review internet pages don't let one negative review keep you away from a campground, look at all the reviews. If the positive reviews far outnumber any negative reviews give the campground a chance, you will probably love it because they do enforce the rules!

    As for the Holbrook area, I know nothing about it, however, not all workkampers are looking for populated areas and would love to work in a more remote setting.

    Come see us when you are in North Carolina.

    High Rock Lake Marina and Campground
    Lexington North Carolina

    www.highrocklakecampground.com

    Stephany

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at May 24, 2008 7:58 AM  

  • Hey, a lot of us actually live (in stick houses) in a town with just a grocery store, Alco and dollar store--closest WalMart is 2 1/2 hours away.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at May 24, 2008 9:07 AM  

  • For shopping, Snowflake is alot closer to Holbrook than Show Low is.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at May 27, 2008 10:09 AM  

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