Apache Junction & Tucson

From Lake Havasu we’ve arrived in the Valley of the Sun, just east of downtown Phoenix in Apache Junction.  As last year, we’re parked at Campground USA for our 2 week visit.  This is one of the newest RV parks we’ve stayed at and it provides nice wide sites, full hookups, a great pool/hot tub area and a beautiful clubhouse.  However, with its location right next to highway 60, it does experience some highway noise, especially with a southern breeze.

Beautiful Superstitions from Apache Junction

As in past years, we planning to attend Rockies spring training games.  We have gorgeous weather for our first game on Sunday, Rockies against the Brewers, and totally enjoy our afternoon at Salt River Fields – we think one of the nicest Cactus League stadiums. On the following Friday we have tickets to the Rockies and the Rangers.  Unfortunately after arriving to cloudy skies, the rains begin and the game is cancelled only a few minutes after the 1^st pitch.  Along with baseball, we enjoyed some of our favorite restaurants around Apache Junction along with a splurge at one of the top Phoenix restaurant, LONS’s at The Hermosa Inn.

Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, Scottsdale, AZ

After what seemed like a very quick 2 weeks, we’re on the road again, headed to Tucson.  We’ll be joining friends for the next 2 weeks at Rincon West RV Resort just south of Tucson.  Rincon is huge, with nearly 1200 sites, mostly park-models, this resort offers something for everyone.  A very unique feature is the “G-gage” model railroad just outside the main office and clubhouse.  Model railroaders were cleaning and working on the exhibit almost every day as well as watching their trains chug around the endless loops through model villages and mountain passes.  Other amenities include a beautiful pool area, tennis, pickleball, a woodworking shop, pottery studio, card room, billiards, several laundry facilities and of course pet parks!

Rincon West RV Resort, Tucson, AZ

Rincon West RV Resort, Tucson, AZ

With a lot of friends in the area, we saw much more of Tucson than we have on past trips.  Just after our arrival we spent an evening star gazing at the nearby Kitt Peak National Observatory.  Kitt Peak does an excellent job of their nighttime program which include learning to read star charts, viewing celestial objects in their small telescopes and the one we enjoy the most, laser pointer “mapping” of the constellations and planets overhead.  Another highlight was a beautiful and relaxing tram ride into Sabino Canyon.  And, we spent an afternoon at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.  This place is huge, with both indoor and outdoor displays – much more than can be seen in a single visit!

Kitt Peak National Observatory

Sabino Canyon, Tucson, AZ

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Tucson, AZ

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Tucson, AZ

After spending an afternoon wandering through the stalls at the Forth Avenue Street Fair, we returned a few nights later to check out restaurants.  We started at the unique Boxyard, a collection of stacked shipping containers with 3 pop-up type restaurants and a large outdoor bar area.  From the Boxyard, we moved onto appetizers at Ermano’s Bar, a beautifully remodeled historic building just down 4^th Ave.  For dinner we enjoyed BOCA, by Chef Maria Mazon who prepares modern Mexican fare on a comfortable outdoor courtyard.  After dinner we found Corbett’s – self-proclaimed “restaurant with a beer garden, pickleball courts, live music and great provisions”.  Returning a few night later we agree – Corbett’s is loads of fun, great food with fun live music in the beer garden.

Ermano’s Bar, Tucson, AZ

 

We also enjoyed Oregano’s, “your neighborhood Italian joint” for pizza, and the Bashful Bandit Barbeque – with a welcoming outdoor patio where you can watch the smoke-masters in action. Their interesting  “Smoked Crack Pie” is an delicious gooey desert that might make you skip your entrée.   But, we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend their sliced brisket, green chili pulled pork, or chili relleno sausage, either by the pound, plate or  sandwiches.

From Tucson we’re off to the Texas Hill Country for the great solar eclipse of 2024.  More from Bandera, TX!

The Montana Loop – Headed Home

From Sheridan it’s a rather long day (for us) to Cheyenne.  We’re parked at a familiar park, AB Camping on College Drive on the south side of town.  This is where we hang out each July for Frontier Days.  We’re here only 1 night, and enjoy the great BBQ café in the park.  Thanks Marc & Jane – we’ll see you in a few weeks.

Colorado Rockies Opening Day 2.0

From Cheyenne we’re headed to Denver to catch the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.  Today, July 28^th is designated “Opening Day 2.0” as Coors field eliminated Covid restrictions and for the first time in over a year, allow 100% capacity at the ball park.  While it’s busy, all seats are not full – and we enjoy a perfect weather afternoon with the Rockies winning over the Pirates.  (We later learned that 32,000 fans enjoyed this game, so the stadium was 64% full)

In Denver we’re parked in site 9 at Chatfield State Park.  Again, it’s just a quick overnight and tomorrow we’ll be home.  It’s been a great trip.  We’ve covered nearly 2000 miles over 20 nights in 11 parks.  We’re home for 3 weeks before heading north again to Cheyenne Frontier days.  More from Cheyenne!

Back to Gold Canyon

Gambel’s Quail

Having found no other suitable options around the Apache Junction area, we’re once again parked at Canyon Vistas RV Resort in Gold Canyon, AZ.   We’re very near the infamous “dumpster site”, but this time around the corner in site #15.  Instead of the view blocking wall of our last stay, this site looks across the desert toward beautiful sunsets and the lights of Apache Junction and Mesa.  And, there’s even a tree!  However, as is far too common, tons of activities and amenities, and virtually no internet access at all. There are access point towers, but no connectivity that we can find.  Weekly rates for 2021 will be $425 for this site. And, even with a long stay, only the weekly rate is available.  We’re hopeful we can find a new park next year.

Canyon Vista’s at Gold Canyon

With that in mind,  we spent a couple of hours touring other parks in the Apache Junction area.  We looked at Superstition Lookout, Weavers Needle, La Siesta RV Park, Sundance Resort, Santa Fe RV, Ship Rock RV, Sunrise RV Resort (a Roberts Resort) and Golden Sun.  Overall we liked Sunrise RV and Ship Rock the best.  We ran out of time to look at Roadhaven Resort, but this is a park with sold sites, so each site is rented by individual owners.  Some of these sites look nice – of course depending on availability.

During our stay on the east side, we attended two more spring training ball games. On Saturday the 29^th we saw the Giants and the Angels at Scottsdale Stadium after starting our day at the wonderful Breakfast Club in Scottsdale.  After the game we hopped around through a few of the famous (or maybe infamous) watering holes in Old Scottsdale including the Rusty Spur Saloon and the Old Town Tavern.  Dinner was at Los Dos Molinos,  a terrific New Mexican restaurant in Mesa.  Perhaps some of the finest New Mexican food, even including many restaurants we’ve enjoyed in New Mexico!

Scottsdale Stadium

Then on Sunday the 1^st we were at Salt River Fields, home of the Colorado Rockies playing the LA Angels.  We started our day at Toca Medera, a unique Mexican eatery that just began serving brunch.  The food, service and ambiance were all a hit!  As was Salt River Fields – again this year we had an excellent time.  For now, the home of the Rockies and Diamondbacks is our favorite stadium of the Cactus League.

Salt River Fields

After spending great times with friends in the Scottsdale, Mesa, Chandler & Apache Junction areas, we’re packing up and headed south.  It’s time for some quiet, dark nights down near the Mexican border.  We’re headed to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument – more from there…