Snowbird RV Adventure: Back to Lazydays then Patagonia Lake State Park

Days 10-13

Lazydays has shady spots covered by solar panels.

November 24-27: At Catalina, a tooth started hurting. It's been a problem, but never this bad. My dentist back in Bellingham recommended finding a local dentist. I Googled emergency dentist and found Tucson Spectrum Dentistry. 

I got a same day appointment! Dr. Roberts couldn't find the source, but gave me antibiotics for a suspected infection. If you are in Tucson with a dental problem, I can't recommend his high tech office enough.

My dental issue made a return to Lazydays the best option.

We cancelled at Tombstone RV Park. Even on the same day they didn't charge us. We'll be adding them to our April travel schedule for sure.

At Lazydays KOA we picked a covered spot. Our neighbours had a Thanksgiving get-together with lots of people. We stayed distanced, but the host brought us a turkey plate with all the trimmings. We saved our BBQ salmon and enjoyed their thoughtful gesture.

Days 14-15

Western style Steak Out Restaurant in Sonoita.

November 28-29: My tooth was better so we continued south to Patagonia Lake State Park. We drove through foothills on Highway 83 and took a break for a takeout burger at The Steak Out. This is free-range cattle country. Their specialty is steak and samples in a case looked succulent. Someday we want to return for one.

Highway 82 took us to the park. It's only 70 miles south of Tucson but feels worlds away. I made reservations six months ago online so we had prime lakefront site #19.

Site #19 at Patagonia Lake State Park

Patagonia Lake is in a valley surrounded by rolling hills covered with grasses, and mesquite and cottonwood trees along the shore and nearby Sonoita Creek.

Patagonia Lake is a refuge for humans and birds alike.

Patagonia Lake is popular in all seasons. Fall and winter draws RVers and campers wanting sun and warmth. Spring and summer are especially popular with bird watchers. Watersports on a hot summer day are a huge draw.

The Patagonia Marina offers canoe, rowboat, paddle boat and pontoon boat rentals. Water-access only campsites would be fun. A boat launch ramp and ample trailer parking allows boat owners easy access. 

Seasonal weekend pontoon boat tours from October to April look like fun. We are returning in January and April so we will check that out ourselves. -- Margy

 

 

Wayne and I stock our RV with emergency supplies including extra medications, a first aid kit, and prescription medicines such as antibiotics, EpiPens and pain medication for immediate emergencies. If something major occurs, we alter our plans and head to a city with emergency dental and medical services. 

On this leg of our trip, I had a dental emergency. We diverted to Tucson and stayed there long enough to ensure my issue was better before continuing our trip. Check your insurance plans to make sure you can get the care you need where you plan to travel. Living isn't worry free, but if you plan ahead it's much easier. -- Margy

Snowbird RV Adventure: Lazydays, Picacho Peak State Park and Home

Days 25-36

Ironwood Picnic Area Tucson Mountain Park.

Part I of our 2020-21 Snowbird RV Adventure included several stays at Tucson's Lazydays KOA RV Resort, more than expected. First there was my dental emergency. Then it was our RV heater emergency. The good thing, we really like Lazydays.

December 9-12: After we checked out of Gilbert Ray Campground we drove to the Ironwood picnic area to wait for our afternoon check-in at Lazydays. This time we were in a patio grass site, our favourite choice when they are available.

An Arizona rainbow at the end of the storm.

While we were there, we had the first and only rain storm during our trip. It didn't last long, but the dry desert really appreciated the moisture.

Site #A17 at Picacho Peak State Park.

December 13-15: Arizona has amazing State Parks. A favourite is Picacho Peak. It's a good stop between Phoenix and Tucson. Because we made our reservation six months in advance, we got a prime outer loop spot with an unobstructed view of the hills.

We walked the campground and selected a new site for an additional stay in January. All of the prime ones were gone, but we found a private center spot in C Loop that will do just fine. 

We relaxed, read and worked on suntans. That's what a Snowbird Adventure is all about.

Outdoor dining at Seis Kitchen in Tucson.

December 16-20: Our time in Arizona is winding down. We spent the last five days at Lazydays.

We rented a car at Enterprise to drive to Mesa to catch an Allegiant Airlines flight direct to Bellingham. We got it a few days early to explore more of the Tucson area.

The last day we prepared the RV for storage. In addition to being a great place to stay, Lazydays is a handy spot to leave our rig. I remove perishables and Wayne checks systems to be ready for our next trip.

We hate to leave, but know we will be returning, hopefully in January 2021. If not, we know it will be as soon as we can travel safely. -- Margy

A rental car lets us get to and from the airport.

Because our RV is stored in Tucson and the flight we prefer lands in Mesa, we need a rental car in each direction. We learned renting a car at one airport (Mesa) and dropping it at another (Tucson) cost almost double than renting one at a local Tucson Enterprise office and dropping it at the Mesa Airport. 

Check to see if this can work for you. As a bonus, we keep the car for a few days to explore and shop to re-stock our RV. -- Margy

Exploring Bellingham: Jeckyl and Hyde BBQ and Ale House

It may have a split personality, but it's good eats day and night.

I was hungry for pizza, so Wayne and I went to our go-to spot for some. Whatcom County restaurants just reopened for sit-down dining, but we chose to order ahead and get parking lot takeout.

Tucked away in the corner of a commercial park you'll find a great little restaurant called the Jeckyl and Hyde BBQ and Ale House.

Don't let the modest exterior fool you, there are good drinks and great eats inside.

Outdoor seating is available.

The name hints at a split personality, day and night. No matter what time you choose, there's a welcoming atmosphere, friendly staff and a terrific menu.

In addition to soft drinks, there's beer and wine available. They have bottled beers and several craft brews on tap. My favourite is the Mac and Jacks Amber Ale.

There are plenty of tables inside, and a few outside for warm summer nights and people like us who prefer outdoor seating right now.

A large chalkboard displays their food and drink menu.

In addition to wood-fired pizza, the menu includes soup, salads, sandwiches, and custom made calzones. And that's not all. The BBQ is all stoked up for mouth watering pork and beef brisket. I've had the pulled pork sandwich topped with their homemade sauce, yum! If you have a hankering for a massive amount of good BBQ, check out the Aporkalypse sandwich with pork, bacon and Canadian bacon.

Jeckyl and Hyde BBQ and Ale House

709 Orchard Place
Bellingham, WA 98225

Phone: 360-715-9100

Open Monday-Saturday 10:00-9:00, Closed Sundays

Catering also available.

Stop on by for some really good eats. -- Margy

Snowbird RV Adventure Part 1: Our Run for the Border

Part 1: Days 3 - 4

Trying to avoid snow in the mountain pass like February 2018.

November 6: We started our Snowbird RV Adventure in early November to make it through the mountain pass between Oregon and California before ice and snow.

Last year on our rental RV trip, heavy snow stranded us for a day as we were trying to get north. We definitely didn't want that to happen again. Wayne grew up in snowy Upstate New York, but even he didn't like the conditions. I grew up in sunny Southern California. For me it was even scarier seeing cars stuck in snowbanks.

Grocery store parking lots often have drive through spaces.

Day three was our longest driving time so far, five and a half hours. We got an early (foggy again) start and broke it up into three more manageable segments.

First we stopped at a Denny's in Medford for breakfast. It was next door to a grocery store with excellent parking.

It's hard to pass up their crispy Pancake Puppies with cream cheese icing for dipping.

We stopped at the Weed Rest Area in the pass to take pictures of Mt. Shasta, and finally got gas at an easy off and on station just before Redding thanks to Google maps satellite view.

Mt. Shasta with very little snow for this time of year.

Our destination for the night was the Durango RV Resort in Red Bluff, California. We stayed here twice last year on our rental RV trip. It has lots of amenities and is located within easy walking distance to a shopping center. As a treat, we walked to Shari's for an early dinner. We shared the restaurant with several tables of Cal Fire firefighters. There are fires burning in many parts of California right now.


November 7: After three days of steady driving, we wanted a break. We asked for three nights, but could only get two. A large group was arriving on Friday for the weekend. This is the Durango Resort's busy season for RV clubs.

Site #25 next to the clubhouse is pull in for motorhomes, back in for trailers.

The view of the Sacramento River from the park.

Last year we had a Sacramento River front site. This time we were along the fountain parkway. They also have pull-through sites.

The fountain site is $60 but they have a 10% senior and Good Sam discount, and 15% for veterans.

The second night we walked over to Luigi's Pizza. They deliver to your rig with a 10% discount, but we opted to eat in. We had the beef dip special and an antipasto salad. Next trip we'll try the pizza. It looked delicious heading to other tables!

The fountain parkway at the Durango RV Resort.

Building in extra rest nights after long driving legs helps you stay alert for the next segment of your RV trip. And after all, it's supposed to be a vacation even while you are traveling.

Trip Mileage Log

Leg - 347 miles

Total - 722 miles

Stay tuned for more of our travelogue blog posts and get some handy tips from two RVing newbies. -- Wayne and Margy

Snowbird RV Adventure Part 1: Chowchilla to the Visalia/Sequoia KOA

Part 1: Days 22 - 24

The entrance to the Visalia KOA and its office/store.

November 25: We arrived at the Visalia/Sequoia National Park KOA a day earlier than planned due to our cancellation at San Luis Reservoir.

Storms, including rain and possibly even snow, are forecast in the coming days. We didn't want to drive in unsafe conditions, so adding an extra day each to The Lakes and the Visalia KOA took care of our overnight needs.


They sell propane, so we decided to fill up before going to our site. Our refrigerator, stove and heater run on propane. The fridge has dual modes. It runs on electricity in RV parks and propane while we are on the road. That saves on quite a bit of gas.

We only needed 2.3 gallons in our 9.8 gallon tank for a cost of $9.09. That was amazing since we went out on four multi-day trips in the summer, and 22 days so far on this adventure.

Our Sunseeker RV in Site A-5 next to a Cruise America rig.

We stayed here last year on our Rental RV Trip. It's a typical KOA (Kampgrounds of America) layout with gravel sites and some trees. With our $30 annual Rewards Card, we get a 10% discount. For our three night stay, we saved $15.26. It doesn't take long to get your investment back.

If you are traveling through the Central Valley, it's close to Highway 99. With a toad (towed vehicle) or rental car, it makes a good home base to visit Sequoia National Park. 

Each site comes with water, power, sewer, fire ring and picnic table.

November 26-27:

On Tuesday, we took an Uber downtown for a movie. We saw Ford vs. Ferrari with Matt Damon as Carroll Shelby. While the movie was about the development of the Shelby race cars for Ford, the 1964½ Mustang made a cameo appearance. My first car was a 1965 Mustang. Afterwards, Wayne and I went to the Sequoia Brewing Company for a tri tip sandwich dinner.

Tuesday night and Wednesday, the rain storm arrived. It was too much all at once, causing floods in the valley and blizzards in the mountains. We even got a few thunder claps and a pelting of pea sized hail. There's more rain to come. Hopefully it will lessen the fire danger situation throughout the state. -- Wayne and Margy

Trip Mileage Log

Leg - 75 miles

Total - 1149 miles

Cut a piece of pool noodle and slit it with a knife.

On our first few trips, Wayne misjudged the headroom when he was stooped under the bedroom slide-out. Our utility connections and a locker are underneath. After standing up too quick, he learned the hard way that sharp edges hurt.

I read a tip to use pool noodles. Cut two pieces. Slit them lengthwise part way down from the outer surface to the central hole. This leaves one end to be a bottom cushion. Slide a noodle over each corner to catch your attention and protect your head in case you forget.

Our bedroom slide-out with pool noodle bumper guards in place.

Of course, they must be placed on the slide-out after it's extended, and removed before it's retracted.

Snowbird RV Adventure Part 2: Pima Fairgrounds to Lazydays KOA in Tucson

Part 2: Days 22 - 26

Tucson Lazy Days registration, meeting rooms and restaurant.

February 23-24: We had to wait until 2:00 to check in at the Lazy Days KOA (Kampground of America) in nearby Tucson. It's only 16 miles away from Pima, so we needed to wait for two hours.

We chose Denny's on the east side of Interstate 10 for a late breakfast (I love a restaurant that serves full breakfasts all day), and then picked up a few last minute things at the Walmart Superstore next door. Large store parking lots are a perfect place to park an RV.

Our first location was a large pull-through patio site with full hook-ups.

We added two days to our original reservation when we revised our plans due to weather concerns. In order to do that, we had to change sites part way through our five day stay.

Sites covered by solar panels are unique, but we wanted sun.

Lazy Days is more of a destination RV resort than and overnight campground. Many people bring their big rigs and spend months here enjoying the sunshine rather than short-term "camping."

There are lots of activities and they have a BBQ restaurant we visit twice during our stay. BBQ Rush smokes their own meats fresh daily. The portions were huge and the pork ribs were some of the best I've ever eaten.

There are two pools, a game room, activities and lots of things to do.

February 25-27: After breakfast on the third morning, we prepared the RV to move to another section of the park. Our new site had grass, privacy shrubs and a portable fire ring. Other than that, the size and amenities were the same. For an additional $7 a night it was worth it.

Our second site had a grass patio with privacy shrubs. We liked even better.

The private park and pond area.

We walked to the small park with bike trails, walking paths, horseshoes and a pond with turtles.

For extra entertainment there were jets and classic warbirds performing maneuvers with the Heritage Flight Training Course at nearby Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. 

Lazy Days is a true Snowbird experience, but that's not a bad thing. We'll be back in Part 3 of our Snowbird RV Adventure to pick up our RV, and again next year. We're hooked on their hospitality. -- Wayne and Margy

Trip Mileage Log

Leg - 16 miles
Total - 611 miles

Picnicking at Saltery Bay Provincial Park

Picnicking in the truck out of the wind.

Continuing our road trip excursions, today we drove 28 kilometres south from Powell River to enjoy fall foliage and sunshine at Saltery Bay Provincial Park.

There are two parts to the park, the Mermaid Cove Campground with 42 sites that are open from May 15 to September 15, and the day use picnic area that is open all year. It's called Mermaid Cove because of a bronze mermaid statue at 10 fathoms that is popular with scuba divers.

We stopped by a favourite restaurant south of town called Skeeter Jacks to pick up a sandwich and drinks to take with us for an impromptu picnic.

Oceanfront grass, trees and picnic tables.

The wind was blowing 25 knots so we sat in the cab of our truck while we ate. Then we took a stroll down the beach to watch the waves rolling in and enjoy the colourful fall foliage. On calmer days, there's a public boat launch available.

Clear blue skies to set off the last of the bright yellow maple leaves.

I'll leave you with this YouTube video by themarinedetective about scuba diving to see The Mermaid. Way back I was a scuba diver, but I never experienced anything this special.

It's good to remember to visit and enjoy places near home. What are some of your local favourites? -- Margy

Day One of Lower Mainland Road Trip: Bellingham to Harrison Hot Springs BC

We've been in the States for a few weeks. With the fall foliage out, we decided to take a road trip on our way home to Powell River to enjoy the colour.

The Peace Arch at the Canada-United States border.

From Bellingham we headed north on I-5 to the Peace Arch Canadian border crossing then BC Highway 99.

I love the messages on the arch, "Children of a common mother" and "Brethren dwelling together in unity." These beliefs are so important right now.

We use Nexus cards. If you cross the border frequently, this is the way to go. Pre-screening and special lanes reduce delays.

Rosie's Country Cafe in Surrey.

We made a quick stop in Surrey to take our car to the Mazda dealer.

While we waited, we had breakfast at Rosie's Country Cafe across the street. The food was great and I especially loved the crispy home-fried potatoes.

From there we headed east on 32 Avenue to Highway 15 then north to intercept Highway 1 eastbound.

This route took us through fertile farmland in the Fraser Delta and Valley regions. As Vancouver's population expands, many areas are developing, but in between you find fields of berries, potatoes, fruits and nuts, greenhouse vegetables, chickens, dairies, cattle and hogs.

Chilliwack farmland.

Highway 1 east of Abbotsford leaves the populated lower mainland. It's scenic, more like a rural road than a major highway. Here we started seeing the turning maples and oaks we were seeking. Unfortunately, the skies were gray and rain was falling.

Fall colours on a gray rainy day.

Highway 1 is the Trans-Canada Highway that starts in Victoria on Vancouver Island, uses BC Ferries to cross the Strait of Georgia, runs from Vancouver across the southern part of Canada to North Sydney in Nova Scotia, then by ferry to Newfoundland and end in St. John's.

Agassiz-Rosedale Bridge across the Fraser River.

We crossed the Fraser River on the Agassiz-Rosedale Bridge to take Highway 9 north through Agassiz to our destination, Harrison Hot Springs for a night at the resort hotel.

Harrison Hot Springs Resort Hotel and Spa.

The Village of Harrison Hot Springs and the resort are at the south end of Harrison Lake. The area is famous for it's thermal pools including several at the resort and a public pool in the center of town.

Fall colours at Harrison Hot Springs.

Old Settlers Pub within walking distance.

We arrived  at the Resort in the late afternoon and walked along the shore on our way to dinner at the Old Settler Pub. Pub food and good beer are my favourite dinner meal.

I ate here several years ago when I was on a respite getaway while caring for my mother. It was just as good as I remembered and they now have an outside heated area making dinner on a rainy day even better.

There are several accommodation options in town, but this time I wanted to try the resort.

The lake view from our room.

Our room has an expansive lake view. A wonderful way to end a busy travel day. -- Margy