Saturday, December 12, 2020

Snowbird RV Adventure: Pima Fairgrounds to Lazydays to Gilbert Ray

Days 20-24

Tucson Lazy Days registration, meeting rooms and restaurant.

December 4-5: Here we are again, back at the Tucson Lazydays KOA. Good thing we really like this popular RV resort. 

We confirmed our camp reservation at Gilbert Ray would be honoured with a late arrival. Then we waited for Ryan from Country Wide RV Services to meet us at our site. 

Ryan quickly determined the heater's problem, a limit switch that prevents propane from burning too hot. The faulty switch prevented our propane from turning on. He made a temporary fix (that didn't last) and ordered a new part to install when we are back at Lazydays later in December. In the meantime, our electric heater will keep us warm.


Mountain view from Gilbert Ray site #A-55.
December 6-8:
Since our reservation at Gilbert Ray Campground had already begun, we didn't have to wait for afternoon check-in. We broke "camp" and went to McDonald's for a special breakfast treat. Wayne parked in the pickup stall and ordered online, an advantage of a small 25' RV.

Tucson Mountain Park is a Pima County facility. It's only 12 miles west of Tucson and 16 miles from Lazydays, but feels a lot more remote and peaceful.

I made reservations six months ago so I got the most private spot, #A-55. We had an unobstructed view of the mountains and surrounding desert.

 
The most common plants near our campsite were saguaro cactus, beavertail cactus, creosote bushes and cholla cactus. Blue skies and white clouds made the view picture perfect.

The cholla next to our campsite was the chain fruit/jumping variety. The closeup at the top shows the hanging green fruits. At the bottom are dried spiny segments on the ground ready to "jump" and cling to your clothes or skin.


I have history with this plant. In 1973, the paved highway down Baja Californa opened and I camped along the Sea of Cortez. During an evening beach fire, I needed to pee. I stepped away to take care of business and felt something brush against me. I kicked my foot and felt a sharp pain. When I got back to the fire I could see a cholla segment piercing my flesh pinning the sandal strap down. Removing the spiny segment and freeing my shoe was painful. Since then, I'm very careful around these highly mobile plants.



Our Gilbert Ray campsite also had great Arizona sunset views. We enjoyed the park so much we made reservations to return for five days in February.


Wayne and I develop a plan for our Snowbird RV Adventures a year in advance. That way we can get the best sites at the places we want to visit. We research new destinations using resources such as Campendium, Facebook's Where'd You Stay RV and AllStays. We like to return to favourite spots, but always enjoy adding new destinations to explore. I mark the start date for reservations for each destination on my pocket calendar and iPhone Reminders list so I don't forget. Do you make reservations in advance? -- Margy

23 comments :

  1. Those cacti are incredible. Wonderful to see such a different landscape to my own.

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  2. ...I thought that you were in Canada, how did you get across the border?

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    1. We came south at the end of November for our trip. We are dual citizens so the border closure doesn't apply. If we return to Canada we must quarantine for 14 days so in a way we are stuck in the United States for now. - Margy

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  3. Margy - these are absolutely gorgeous views of the desert! Your research ahead of time was well-rewarded! Thanks for sharing your journey with everyone at Mosaic Monday!

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  4. Hello,
    Beautiful views of the desert and plants. Gorgeous sunset capture. Hubby and I are not traveling yet, I am looking forward to traveling again. Wonderful photos. Take care, have a great day and a happy week!

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  5. How beautiful and so different from anywhere else in the US! I have been to Tucson many times but still would love to go back. Winter would be the perfect time. Love your photos! Happy travels!

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    1. We went to Tucson many times for college sports even when we lived in California. Now the winter sun is a bigger draw because we live in the northwest with long cold, cloudy and rainy months. - Margy

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  6. so many years since I visited Arizona. Love the desert shots and wish I could go back once more. Amazing landscape.

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  7. I really liked how you told the story of your stay in the caravan park. I have not had such an experience and I consider it very attractive. I was a little scared of the cholla incident, but I was glad it ended well.
    We also make early holiday reservations, but in the last two years we have missed out. Last year my husband became seriously ill, underwent surgery and had to cancel the reservation. This year we canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic ...

    Have a fine day, Margy!

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    1. I hope the new year allows you to put your plans into action. - Margy

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  8. Those cactus are awesome. Have a good Advent time!

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  9. Ouch - those plants look lethal!
    It looks like being super well organised really helps with RV life, have you been able to stick to the plan this year? I'm normally well organised ahead but have moved to sorting things out on the fly! It mostly works!
    Happy Christmas
    Wren x

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    1. Sorting out on the fly is what we had to do on this leg of our adventure. We ended up at Lazydays more than expected, but it is nice place to stay so we don't mind. - Margy

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  10. I think it's so neat that you're travelling in an RV like that. Must be so much fun! The cholla is really something, very nice photos! :)

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  11. Dear Margy,

    I allowed myself to borrow a photo from your blog for the Wordless Wednesday post. Of course, I put the link to your blog, here https://povestiripescurt.blogspot.com/2020/12/de-la-altii-de-departe-MFC.html

    Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

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    1. Thank your for sharing the photo. It was front and center in your list of photos this week. - Margy

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  12. Thank you for sharing. Interesting places.
    Stay healthy and well.

    Happy MosaicMonday

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  13. How beautiful and warm! Good tip about reserving early.
    Dawn aka Spatulas On Parade

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  14. Desert is such an amazing place! Wonderful photos!

    -Soma

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  15. Loved the sunset capture Margy.

    Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

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  16. That looks great seeing you parked among the cacti! What a perfect Arizona spot. Ooh, I miss it, even though we’re happy with where we “settled” in Florida (or would be if .... and hopefully will be again next season). Anyway, I love this post.

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Thanks for stopping by. Comments, questions, and suggestions are always welcome. - Margy