Tucson, Western Way RV Resort

10 03 2017

Western Way RV Resort, Tucson

We’ve just arrived in Tucson where we’ll  spend 4 nights at Western Way RV Resort in SW Tucson.  Western Way is a very mature RV park of about 300 sites, with 90% or so of these converted to park model sites.  Our site #127 is sandwiched between two park models, but these larger sites don’t seem too tight.  We have plenty of room for the RV, a nice cement patio pad and room for the truck beside that.  Most of the park models include the “tiny-home”, an Arizona room and carport parking area completely covering the entire lot.  Located about 20 minutes from downtown Tucson, this RV park turned out to be very quiet, very well run and full of friendly folks.

Spending 4 nights will even gave an opportunity to use the $1.00 washers and dryers in the spotlessly clean laundry room – a real bargain! The outdoor pool and BBQ area is very nice as is the clubhouse that seemed to stay very busy with pancake breakfast, coffee club, concerts and movie nights.  We also happened to be there just in time for the Friday morning parade of decorated golf carts.

After being here in Tucson last year, we had two items our to-do list.  The first was to check out Kitt Peak National Observatory which is located about 45 minutes SW of the RV park.  The other item is to see the Pima Air and Space Museum, home of one of the best collections of civil and military aircraft outside of the Smithsonian.  This museum is also the only way to access the “boneyard”, acres and acres of retired aircraft on the Davis-Monthan Air Force base.  Unfortunately the boneyard tours sell out fast, generally by 9AM each morning – so that’s still an item for the next trip.  However, we had a great time exploring the 8 hangers of aircraft plus the shuttle ride around the outside exhibits, seeing everything from old Air Force One’s that transported the Kennedys and Johnsons to a current day Boing 787, a test unit with serial number 2.


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Categories : Spring Road Trip 2017

Desert Gardens RV Resort

9 03 2017

Desert Gardens RV Resort, Site #D53

After seeing ads in Trailer Life magazine, we were curious about this 70+ acre, 200+ site RV Resort Coop where the individual sites are available for sale.  About a hour south of the Phoenix metro area and less than an hour north of Tuscon, Desert Gardens is just outside the small but interesting town of Florence, AZ.  The ads that the resort have been running proclaim some of the largest RV sites available – and we’d have to agree.

The largest sites are 60×70, the next are 60×55 and the “smallest” are 40×50.  Upon arrival we were assigned D-53 one of the “smallest” sites.  Site depth seems about the same as other large sites, but across the site was plenty of room for a large patio, the truck beside it and then still about 10 feet before reaching the next site.  The developer has done a great job of preserving much of the natural desert including trees, cactus and the huge towering saguaro.

We arrive with no preconception of what to expect and left very intrigued about the possibility of RV site ownership.  The sense of community was evident – we met many of the staff and residents who were friendly and open to talking about their decisions to purchase.  We toured the great amenities including a gym, pool/hot tub, wood working shop, a glass craft shop and the clubhouse.  All around we noticed the attention to detail, the obvious pride of ownership and friendly, out-going nature of everyone.  Thanks Eric and Marcy – we’re very impressed with what we saw!

Desert Gardens Resort Map

Typical street, corner lot
Lot F32, 55′ X 60′
Lot E7, 60′ X 70′
Lot E7
Clubhouse Gardens
Hot Tub
Pool
Pool
Workout Room
Pool tables in Clubhouse
Library in Clubhouse
Available D57 & D81
Available D81 & D57
Available D24 & D46
Available D46 & D24
Typical landscaping with Gazebo
Sunset over Desert Gardens

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Departing Lost Dutchman

8 03 2017

Lost Dutchman SP Site #93

We’ve spent 6 nights enjoying the warmth and quiet desert setting of Lost Dutchman.  After heavy rains in mid-February, the lush greenness of the park continues to amaze us.  In the 76-108 camping loop, there were daily arrivals and departures.  Only the pull-through site #94 next to us remained empty for an overnight or two.  Both of our sites (#88 & #93) were great back-in sites.  #93 was perhaps best because of the patio side late-day shade and the impressive view of the Superstitions at sunset.

On Friday we attended the Diamondbacks and Dodgers game at Walking Stick – a beautiful facility about 40 minutes from Lost Dutchman.  Saturday we explored the local area a bit with a trip out to Tortilla Flat and along Canyon Lake.  On Sunday we did the “tourist” thing, wandering around the nearby Goldfield Ghost Town and the Superstition Mountain Museum.

In between sightseeing we did manage to tour some of the additional facilities and sites in the park.  For electric/water sites, the back-in sites along the southern edge are nice sized and private – best would be  #29-#26  On the 76-108  “small” loop, sites #104 & #102 are back-ins very similar to #93.  #96 is a short pull-through with an awesome view of the mountain.

We’re currently enroute to Florence, AZ – just about an hour away, half way in between the Phoenix metro area and Tucson.  We’re going to spend 1 night at Desert Garden’s RV Resort where we’ll take the sales tour to see what the options and facts are behind purchasing an RV lot.  More from Florence…


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Lost Dutchman State Park

2 03 2017

After discovering Lost Dutchman last year, we knew we wanted to spend more time in this beautiful Arizona State Park.  Arriving on Thursday, we’ll be in site #88 for 3 nights, then move to site #93 for 3 additional nights.  Both sites are in the smaller campground area, both are back-ins with electric and water.  All sites on this loop are paved and have a carefully manicured gravel area for a picnic table and fire ring.  There are also pull-through sites running down the center of the loop as well as circular pull-throughs on some of the outside locations.

For the first 4 nights we’ll have good friends from Conifer staying with us.  On Friday we’re going to attend an Arizona Diamondback baseball game at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, the spring training home for the D-backs and the Denver Rockies.  This beautiful facility is the first of its kind to be built on Native land, a cooperative venture of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community and MLB.


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Payson, AZ

1 03 2017
Payson Campground, site #42

Payson Campground, site #42

We’ve made it to Arizona – and, hopefully warmer temperatures.

After a calm, but chilly transit across western New Mexico and eastern Arizona we’re parked at what appears to be a former KOA, the Payson Campground and RV Resort.  It’s amazing how many former RV parks are now called resorts.  This one is unique because it’s perched on the top of a hill just off of highway 260.  Long gashes in the pavement attest to the steepness of the entrance driveway – anyone with low clearance needs to take extra caution to make sure they don’t leave their rear bumper or stabilizer jacks in the roadway.  Once inside, the sites are terraced along the back of the hill and along the outer edges.  With trees everywhere, plenty of shade is available in many of the sites.  We were in site #42, a very long back-in site along the outside edge of the park.  While we needed 3 blocks to level, the full hookups (water, sewer and 30/50 electric) were conveniently located.

This will be a relatively quick stop – we’re only about 90 miles from Lost Dutchman State Park.  More from the valley of the sun tomorrow!


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Route 66 RV Resort

28 02 2017

wp_20170227_001cGood Morning from Albuquerque.

After a brief stop at Trinidad Lake State Park on Sunday night, we’ve make the as-normal very windy transit of Trinidad to Albuquerque and are parked at the new Route 66 RV Resort about 15 miles west of downtown along I-40.  It seems that nearly all RV Parks in Albuquerque are along either I-25 or I-40 and most of the reviews mention road noise.  This is a huge RV park, with 100 sites spread out across 50 acres.  Since it sets behind the Casino, Hotel and several restaurants we were hopeful that the nearly constant I-40 truck traffic noise would be reduced.  Selecting site #1145 on the far end of the park, we’re behind a small hill and experienced a very quiet night.

Having arrived yesterday in winds gusting to about 15 miles per hour, we’ve decided to stay put here in Albuquerque and await the passing of a cold front.  Right now (about 10AM) the winds are gusting to about 50 miles per hour – our side-to-the west is providing a very bumpy “ride” as we work inside.  Now we know what it must feel like to go down the road in the trailer!

Opened just last August, this RV Resort really does live up to its name.  The full hookup sites offer plenty of space, some even with 16 foot wide pads.  A mixture of pull-through and back-in sites, each has water, sewer, 30/50 power a grassy area with a picnic table and fire ring.  There are also some “Luxury” sites with 100A electric service.  While rates are advertised as $50 and $60 on their website (before Good Sam discount), the special rate through the end of February is $30 per site.  Other amenities include a large open-air rally shelter with gas grills and picnic tables, pickleball courts, sand volleyball,  and horseshow pits.  Inside their camper amenities building are pool tables, conference rooms, showers and laundry facilities.   This is a 1st class park – and will be even nicer as the many shrubs and trees get a chance to mature.

Having missed a travel day and with this cold front moving through, it appears that the next best stop will be a little over 300 miles to the west.  Stops closer are forecast to be in the teens and single digits overnight, too risky for a de-winterized water system.  Our plan is Payson, AZ about 5 hours away…more from Arizona!

Route 66 Hotel & Casino
Route 66 RV Resort
Route 66 RV Resort, new pool
Route 66 RV Resort, new pool
Route 66 RV Resort, clubhouse
Route 66 RV Resort, courts
Route 66 RV Resort, rally barn

 

 

 

 

 


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Good Morning from Silt, CO!

9 09 2016

wp_20160909_001After a fairly early departure from Vernal, we’ve arrived at this new KOA along the Colorado River by about 1PM.  We’ll have park WiFi and good cellular access here allowing us to get caught up on at least the most critical work.  We last visited this KOA about 2 years ago – with brand new trees, grass and gravel pads, and after an unusual amount of rain the entire park was left a muddy mess.  Deep tire ruts were everywhere, it must have taken the grounds crew some time to fix broken sprinkler heads and fill in the ruts.  Today you’d never know of these growing pains – the trees are healthy, the grass is lush and green, and the back-in sites along the river offer some of the best views of any RV Park.  KOA’s are always a bit pricey, these premium sites are nearly $50 with applicable taxes.  But, the amenities are many, a beautiful pool and spa area, a sparkling clean laundry room, equally clean and tidy showers and a great kids playground.  Sites are long and level and provide a fire pit and picnic table.  And the park provided WiFi isn’t bad, especially in non-peak times.

This is our last stop of the 2016 Olympic Peninsula trip.  We’ve traveled nearly 4000 miles, parked at 18 different RV sites and spent 29 nights on the road.  In all, a great trip, and one with many places we want to return to.  Among those would be the Oregon Coast, Sequim and the Port Angeles/Port Townsend areas and Jordanelle SP near Park City, UT.  We’d also like to spend more time along the Columbia River from Ft. Stevens SP/Astoria eastward.


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Categories : Olympic Peninsula - 2016, Summer Camping 2016

Steinaker State Park, Utah

7 09 2016
Steinaker State Park, site #7

Steinaker State Park, site #7

After arriving in Vernal and checking out the two in-town RV Parks, we opted to continue another 10 miles north to Steinaker State Park.  With about 30 sites spread out among scrub oak and sage, across a hilltop and along the banks of Steinaker Reservoir, this is the ultimate for privacy and beautiful night skies.  We’re in full-hookup site #7, right at the crest of the hill with the reservoir to the South and beautiful rock formations of the Uinta Mountains to the North.  We ended up with 15 or so over the air TV channels, mostly rebroadcasts of Salt Lake City.  All of this for $28/night!  Unfortunately the cellular service isn’t as good, only weak signal on both Verizon and T-Mobile.  Needing to get some work done, instead of spending 2 nights here, we’ll continue eastward into Colorado.  Our plan is either Rifle Gap State Park or the KOA in Silt.  More from western Colorado…


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Categories : Olympic Peninsula - 2016, Summer Camping 2016

Jordanelle State Park, Utah

5 09 2016
Jordanelle State Park, site #90

Jordanelle State Park, site #90

We’re parked at site #90 at Jordanelle State Park on the Jordanelle Reservoir about halfway between Park City and Hebor City, UT.  Arriving without a reservation, the front gate assigned us to site 90, a somewhat short back-in site on the Wasatch Loop, closest to the lake.  RV parking is available in about 100 sites at the Hailstone Campground, organized around 4 loops and one long row of pull-through sites.  A mix of back-in and pull-throughs with 86 sites of partial hookups (electric/water) and 14 sites with full hookups (electric/water/sewer).  There are also 40 small RV or tent dry sites at the McHenry Loop and 28 walk-in tent sites at Keetley Point.  Nearly all of these sites are reservable online.  At the Hailstone RV section, there are 3 toilet/shower buildings and one central camper services building that provides toilet, shower and laundry facilities.  There is also a dump station available.

In addition to water and electric, sites provide a picnic table, fire ring and BBQ pit on a large cement pad.  The loops are organized across a hillside, so nearly all sites have some type of views across the water.  Some favorites include #90, our site, which provides good lake views as well as good privacy from other nearby sites.  It has a good shade and a fairly flat tent pad.  Site #76 is a long lakeside pull-through site with some shade.  Site #53 – 44 are perched on the edge of the Lower Fisher loop providing great views, but not a lot of shade.  #34 is a very private back-in along the same loop, but without much of a view. Over the air TV was nearly non-existent here, but with blazingly fast T-Mobile service, we could stream nearly anything we wanted to watch.  This is a great Utah State Park and one we’d return to.

We’ll continue east along highway 40 tomorrow, with a planned stop somewhere around Vernal, UT.  More from there…


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Categories : Olympic Peninsula - 2016, Summer Camping 2016

Along the Snake River at Village of Trees

4 09 2016
Village of Trees RV Resort, Declo, ID, site #9

Village of Trees RV Resort, Declo, ID, site #A9

Good Morning from south-central Idaho at Village of Trees RV Resort just north of Delco, ID. We’re parked at site A9 in yet another oasis of trees and green grass along the Snake River.  This park of about 80 sites is organized into 6 long rows that run from the front of the property to the path along the Snake River at the rear.  Row “A” is furthest from I-84 which provides some, but not an annoying amount of traffic noise.  All sites are pull-through, provide both 30A and 50A service, cable TV, water and dual sewer ports, one to the rear and one mid-way.  Sites in row A, B & C are most heavily treed, so satellite users may prefer rows D or E.   Along with the RV Park, there is full service fuel station, a convenience store and the Village Grill serving Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. The menu is mostly burritos, sandwiches, salads and pizza.  Delivery is included for anyone staying in the RV park.

Tomorrow we’ll continue southeast on I-84 into Utah, avoiding Salt Lake City on this final day of the Labor Day weekend and end up near Park City, UT.  More from there…


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Categories : Olympic Peninsula - 2016, Summer Camping 2016

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