No one wants a wallet-full of plastic shop cards, bursting at the seams. For Camp Verde residents, here are the top five Camp Verde Shop Cards worth keeping:

1. Bashas Thank You Card – you may not like Basha’s high prices as compared to Cottonwood, but you do have to shop here frequently – outside of Healthy Thymes Market, this is really our only local grocery store. Your Basha’s card will save you many dollars per vist – just how much you save is printed on your receipt.

2. Maverick Adventure Club Card – we are lucky enough to have a Marverick gas station, offering the lowest gas prices in town (usually). They are open 24 hours and have an okay C-store. Your Maverick card actially shaves cents off your gas bill. Not much, but noticable. It adds up over time. Don’t fill up with out your card.

3. Ace Rewards - I’m in love with my ACE cards, since they send me free money to spend at a future date, using their ‘bonus points’ system. Between all the sweet coupons, the sale days, the almost obsessive customer service and these little gifts of MONEY they send me, I am happy to forgo Home Depot. Mostly.

4. CVS Extra Care and the CVS Pharmacy Health Savings Pass. I could these two together since I only shop CVS when picking up my meds. The Extra Care Card is a typical shop and save card, while the Health Saving Pass saves me a ton of money on prescriptions. You also get 10% off procedures done at their in-house minute clinic  - saving you trips to Cottonwood for minor complaints/shots/system checks.  I believe the Health Savings Pass costs $10 a year, but you recoup that o your first visit to pick up prescription medications.

5. Camp Verde Yavapai County Library Card – unlimited free books, computer time, helpful librarians, fresh magazines and all forms of free media to peruse. Our library is small but mighty.

I also own a Safeway Club Card and Fry’s VIP Card for out-of-town shopping, although I feel a little traitorous admitting it.

From Craigslist:

Camp Verde – Five four months old geese, are great for controlling weeds. we are asking $10.00 each

sale-ycxzz-1849024767@craigslist.org

It’s HOT in Camp Verde. From June through September, we’ve got over 100 degree temps. We also have a LOT of creeks, making us luckier than most of Arizona. There are tons of great (and some secret) places to swim.

Best Camp Verde Area Swimming Holes:

• Bell’s Crossing – the swimming area is just a few hundred yards from the crossing and probably gets the award for most outstanding hole! High, red wall slots, big rocks to relax on,  deep rushing water and lots of trees. About 3 miles in, along the Beaver Creek Trail. [See photo below]
• Fossil Creek – for a more serious hike investment, the swimming here is to die for. Fossil Creek Trail, enroute to Strawberry.
• Beaver Creek – if you don’t want to hike in far, there are tons of unnamed swimming holes to choose from, off the various side trails.
• West Clear Creek at BullPen – whether you choose to swim right off the BullPen Campground or further up along the West Clear Creek Trail, you’ve have much water, trees and scenery to choose from.
• West Clear Creek Campground – just west from the West Clear Creek Campground lies a small, unnamed trail. Swimming holes abound in this area if you hunt around a bit.
• West Clear Creek in Verde Lakes – just off the Verde Lakes Road is a road crossing full of rushing water and sycamores. Refreshing, if sometimes crowded, front country spot.
• Child’s Hot Springs – for a bit of a long drive on Fossil Creek Road (dirt road, high clearance recommended) there are numerous spots for a dip in Fossil Creek and the Verde River itself.  There may be nudity at and around the hot springs.
• Christopher Creek – up past Payson, which is a bit of a haul. But a lovely spot.
• Beasley Flats – along Salt Mine Road, at the very end, is a popular put in site for boaters. You can also bring your camp chairs and place them in the Verde for a cool end to a hot afternoon.
• Oak Creek – lot of people enjoy swimming at Grasshopper Point, Red Rock Crossing, and the Red Rock Slide (the latter two being state parks). None of these sites are free. Creative explorers can find lots of freebie swim sites along Oak Creek if they but look.
• Brown Springs – “…It’s a long way, but totally worth it. Best to travel to trailhead by quad.” [This one suggested by a fan on Facebook - I have not been there...yet]
• Beaver Creek, also suggested on Facebook: “Sometimes during the year, when it’s not half dried out, Beaver Creek just east of the Castle is amazing.”
• Many spots reachable only by kayak on the Verde – “When you kayak to childs from cv, there’s so many spots to stop and take a dunk. A few miles past brown springs is my favorite.”

What have I missed? Tell me in the comments and I’ll add them to the list.

Camp Verde, 2.0…

Camp Verde businesses on Facebook! Click through, hit the LIKE button, and get free updates on your Facebook page. How easy is this?

Camp Verde Fan Pages on Facebook:

• Camp Verde Life on Facebook – that’s this blog’s fan page. It’s pretty active. Join right now. Now. Go do it, before you forget.
• New Thrift Store – the best of the best in thrift stores
• Healthy Thymes of Camp Verde – everything holistic! And I mean everything, without having to run to Sedona

• Camp Verde Mercantile – lovely gifts and home decor at affordable prices
• Sweet Grace – all I can say is chicken salad on apple bread with cream cheese frosting. Go in yourself and find out
• Alcantara Vineyards and Winery – Camp Verde’s own winery! Wine flights in a Tuscan setting along the Verde River. What is not to adore? In vino veritas!
• Yeah So I am From Camp Verde – local chit chat

• Verde Valley Families – family oriented chit chat
• Camp Verde Family Chiropractic and WellnessCenter
• Verde Cellars – weekend bar, live music, great taps. Previously Salt Mine Cellars
• Verde Valley Business Resource
• Camp Verde Visitor Center (Arizona)
• Camp Verde Parks & Recreation
• Verde Valley Fire District – there are some AMAZING photos posted here – cars on fire, car wrecks, house fires, wow~
• Camp Soaring Eagle

Near Camp Verde:

• Desert Rose Bed and Breakfast
• Local Lily
• Page Springs Cellars
• ABC Body Shop Cottonwood, Arizona
• Sedona-Verde Valley Conscious Business Connection
• Sedona Bike & Bean
• Verde Valley Wine Trail
• Yavapai College Verde Valley Campus

• Edible Phoenix
• Strombolli’s Restaurant Cottonwood
• Cottonwood Chamber of Commerce

The Old Corral Bar in Cornville is hosting a Bike Run / benefit concert for the Oakcreek-Cottonwood school district. Biodiesel U.S. Inc. is a non profit 501 c 3 organization that raises money to provide biodiesel processors for school districts, so they can be green, provide cleaner air for the kids and save the schools a large sum of money.

On Tap: Chris Berry and the Retrofitters, The Mods and Solace playing. Concert starts at 3pm.

Many, many prizes, raffles, FOOD, and Free Biodiesel. This is a green event and the bands will be playing off the grid with biodiesel generators. Come check out the trailer the school will get! Ask questions, learn and enjoy the festivities.

August 21st , signups are at the Grasshopper Grille (Cornville) 8am till 9:30am. The run goes through Clints Well and on up to Mormon Lake Lodge and back to the Old Corral bar for the concert.  9:30 to 3 ish. Depends on how fast you ride, how long you stay at stops, etc…. plan is to get back for the music at 3. Maybe 100 miles total.

Please remember you do not have to be a biker, drinker, just a supportive citizen. Help us do this for the kids and grandkids. Soon B.U.S. can have the whole state sustainable, which could add up to over a $1,000,000+ in savings. No more Prop 100 tax needed.

From CampVerdeLife on Facebook:

Mike Rogers Bikes for Biofuel is a poker run for the non-profit organization Biodiesel U.S. Inc. They raise funds to provide Biodiesel processors to school districts, which saves schools 10s of thousands of dollars a year. It cost 60 cents a gallon to make because they are using waste veg. oil from restaurants. If you want to go on a beautiful, fun ride , show up for this event, or just come and have some fun. Live bands, food, raffles,car bash, auctions, prizes. AUGUST 21st SEE POSTER FOR DETAILS

A Camp Verde resident asks - “Who can tell me about the new Doctors in town? We are interested, then we would’nt have to drive to Cottonwood!! We’re looking for a family doc!”

It’s a good question. There are affordable clinics in Cottonwood, but I don’t want to drive over there for small health questions, and sometimes perusing WebMD.com isn’t the same as talking to a doctor.

Dr. French, of the Camp Verde Family Chiropractic and Wellness Center – via Facebook – has been offering his services to Camp Verde residents for more than than just chiropractic needs. In fact, I asked if I could get a freckle looked at for possible melanoma. He responded, “Sure. I’d be glad to look at it, however depending on what it is you may have to consider a biopsy or a trip to a dermatologist. Stop by anytime and I’ll take a look.”

I was treated very nicely by everyone, and am impressed with the facility. [Also, my freckle is probably nothing but I should watch it anyway.]

From the CampVerdeLife Facebook page:

• Kyle French D C Many people don’t realize that chiropractors can function as primary care physicians and assist with general health care for families. While we do not prescribe medications, our goal is to help patients achieve health naturally by preventative techniques as opposed to treating symptoms once they arise. Stop by and see us in Wingfield Plaza, we’d be happy to answer any questions you may have! -Dr. French
• Also from the Camp Verde Family Chiropractic and Wellness Center – “don’t forget we can do school physicals if your kiddos need one before the sports season starts! Just call to make an appointment – Only $25″

Camp Verde Family Chiropractic and Wellness Center, at Wingfield Plaza, on Main Street in downtown Camp Verde.

ABC Body in Cottonwood (on Cherry Street) generously offers this to Camp Verde Residents:

FREE TOWING! IF YOU ARE IN AN ACCIDENT OR IN NEED OF COLLISION REPAIR, WE WILL TOW YOUR CAR TO OUR SHOP FOR FREE! Call us at (928)634-6442 to find out how this offer can save you additional money. This offer available to all of Northern Arizona.

HOURS: 8 A.M. to 5 P.M., Monday through Friday

They add:

ABC Body Shop in Cottonwood, Arizona specializes in painting and auto body work, serving Cottonwood, Sedona, Clarkdale and the Verde Valley. Member of the Automotive Service Association of Arizona, recognized for automotive service excellence through ASA member-businesses in Arizona.

From the CampVerdeLife Facebook page:

Mark Lineberger A Cornville couple wants to build an indoor shooting range in Camp Verde for pistols, rifles and bows at 260 and Cherry Road. They need letters of support from the community to send to the Small Business Administration to help justify their loan. They have a bunch of template letters; message me if you’d like to help.

If you are not a ‘friend’ on Mark on Facebook, you won’t be able to message him. Until I can get a contact number, feel free to leave a comment here showing your support.

From the CampVerdeLife Facebook page –

Alicia McDonald

Stop by Camp Verde Family Chiropractic and Wellness Center and donate $1 for Camp Verde Relay for Life. You can make your donation in honor of a loved one who has battled cancer or is currently battling and we will hang up a decal with their name and yours in our window! Proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society. You don’t need to be a patient to stop by and show your support!!

From the CampVerdeLife Facebook page:

Alicia McDonald –
Fun Family Event coming up that benefits charity!! “Family Fun Day” will be
at the Sedona Community Center on Sunday, August 22nd from 1:30-5:30pm.
Tickets are $15 each or $50 for 4. There will be food, live music,
swimming and crafts!! With all the proceeds helping send chronically ill
children to Camp Soaring
Eagle right here at Jackpot Ranch in Camp Verde!

Tickets will be avl at Camp Verde Family Chiropractic and Wellness Center.

We are also still looking for musical entertainment to donate a few hours of time if you know of anyone who may be interested.