06 Apr Tucson, glad to meet you!
The warmth of Arizona has met us with a big ol hug. Yeah for me and you, because I will not be commenting about the weather, other than telling you that I won’t be commenting about the weather. 🙂
Pima County Fairgrounds Camping
We found our way to a sweet spot at the Pima County Fairgrounds, not far outside Tucson Arizona. Quite different than any other campground we have stayed at. This place was so interesting. Besides its annual fair including 4H live stock and rodeo and rides, there are big name concerts, and merchandise shows year round. Place was huge. Add to that an RV Park with full hookups at inexpensive prices and we were sold and wanting to stay put for a good solid week. Dave has been feeling a little run down too, so we felt it important to chill for a bit. That’s what we did. Being a direct and easy shot to Tucson made it even sweeter. We also discovered we were five minutes away from the Tucson Raceway Park. The cars were practicing for a NASCAR race (minor minor league here) so we were lulled to sleep by the sound of cars turning left for a few hours.
Sunset at the Fairgrounds
Dave and I often comment on how our willingness to stay at certain types of campgrounds has changed over the years. When we were young and tenting all the time, we wouldn’t even look at a KOA or anyplace that had too many big rig RV’s (like what we have now). If we dared to drive into a Jellystone Campground, we always left with a bit of a chip on our shoulders. There was no way we were camping next to a bus that had a generator running. These folks didn’t truly know what camping was all about. Fast forward through several tents, one popup trailer, one travel trailer, and now our 5th wheel, and our discrimination has evaporated. I like not sleeping on the ground. I like having a bathroom. I like having a bed that’s comfortable to lay down on. I like very much having the 335 sf to call home at this moment. And you know what, we still meet some really nice people along the way, even if at night they and we go inside our homes on wheels. So for the 37 years of camping we have enjoyed together so far, I feel good knowing that we have roughed it and now we have a bit more luxury. It’s all good. 🙂
Tucson Street Fair Beer
We took a drive into Tucson for the 4th Street Fair, which apparently is a really big deal. It was a beautiful day with hundreds of artists selling gorgeous works of art. After talking to some vendors, we learned that people come from all over the country to sell their goods, and it was a also a good thing we came on Friday, because the weekend draws crowds that would make our leisurely stroll a bit more of a push and shove experience. Just soaking in the humanity and the delicious street food and a stop for some prickly pear beer at Borderland Brewery made this one of my favorite days on the road so far.
Took a drive to the Tucson Desert Art Museum. There is so much to learn about the Navajo Indians. Their artistic ability with textiles and pottery took my breath away. Part of what we were also reminded of is really how sad the native people of this country of ours had been treated while America was becoming who she is. Another interesting point hit me hard, especially because my dad was a Holocaust survivor. The swastika is one of the oldest and most universal symbols in history dating back approximately 6000 years. It was used often in their art work. The word is Sandskrit for fortune, perfection and eternal life. Because of the misuse of this historically revered symbol by the Nazi party, the Navajo, Apache, and Hopi people signed a proclamation renouncing any further use of the symbol in their art work. Never had I known any of this. And as I looked at some of these gorgeous textiles with the swastika in its weave, I did see the beauty it was intended to elicit.
Tucson Race Track
We ended the day by enjoying a race at the track we were camped next to. This was the super family friendly version of NASCAR. Lots of families with small kids, and no noticeable drunk fans. Able to sit in our camping chairs on the bend of the track with the cars zooming by was really a lot of fun. And….no after the race traffic to sit in. We were back at CR in five minutes time.
Inserted a day to catch up at this point and some rest for Dave as he has been battling something that is tiring him out pretty good.
May look like a cell tower, but it really is a saguaro cactus Dave!
We drove around the Cactus Forest Loop Road at Saguaro National Park, which is an eight mile drive with tons and tons of saguaro cactus. We weren’t able to hike at this park, but did enjoy the visual display of this desert park.
Now my friends, it was time to find a walk in clinic to see what has been plaguing Dave because his cough and fatigue is getting worse by the day. This doctor diagnosed Dave with Valley Fever. What! A round of antibiotics and some cough medicine and we were hopeful he would be back to feeling human soon.
We took the next day at an easy pace. Drove back into Tucson to walk the Turquoise Trail around part of the city, taking you to various historic and artistic sites through out the city. A quick museum visit to the Presidio San Aqustin del Tucson Museum followed by lunch at a sweet outdoor cafe were in order. Oh, fyi here in Tucson, some of the restrooms, have sunscreen dispensers. Guess Tucson really cares for its visitors :).
A minor annoyance is finding campgrounds close to these warmer weather cities. I know, no complaining here Hedy. They are filled to capacity with snowbirds. We spent hours on the internet and making phone calls to secure a place to stay near Phoenix which is our next destination. Closest we were able to find was an hour outside of this city. Serves us right for pretending to be snowbirds ourselves I guess.
Mission San Xavier de Bac
Before we left the Tucson area, we took a ride to visit the Mission San Xavier de Bac. Beautiful church. Ate our first authentic Mexican food as well at a cafe right outside the mission. Yum!
Dave and I seem to watch movies that have something to do with the area we are currently visiting. The name Father Kino is all over the southwest as being an important figure in the settling of many missions. I was excited to watch “Kino the Padre on Horseback”. This movie was made in the late 70’s. Some of the worst acting I have ever seen. How many rotten tomatoes would I give it. How about ten green tomato splats. My problem is that no matter how bad a movie is, I have to watch it to the end. Makes no sense. Completion I guess. What a waste of brain space in my head. Will need to watch something soon to replace this cell crusher.
For Us, It’s Not Abad Day 🙂