theboondork's RV blog

A new view

3/29/2019

Camping at the Pima County Fairgrounds Tucson Arizona

Even though I don't like being packed together in a campground, especially for an entire week, there's a lot to do in this general area so I think I'll stay fairly busy.

I got on the road about 9:30 this morning and had an uneventful drive of about 50 miles into Tucson. I had planned on boondocking at one of the Indian casinos in Tucson either the Desert Diamond or the Casino Del Sol. But as luck would have it it's some kind of an Indian holiday and the Casino Del Sol was closed so I didn't bother going to the Desert Diamond figuring they would be closed also.

I then decided I would try the Pima County Fairgrounds just east of Tucson, and if that didn't work I would just keep on going until I got to Benson and stay at the Escapees Park there. The Pima County Fairgrounds had plenty of room and the lady and her husband behind the counter were so nice and helpful I signed up for a week of full hookups for 150 bucks. I got to the fairgrounds at just about the right time because the campground closes April 8. So even though my timing for staying at an Indian Casino was very poor, staying at the fairgrounds worked out really well.

It's been a long time since I've had full hookups. At Picacho Peak State Park I only had an electric hookup since that's all they have available. So this is going to be great having full hookups for a whole week. For the ole boondork that amounts to luxury living.

theboondork

Can you spot the honeybee in the picture? She's very well camouflaged, but easily seen.

There wasn't many purple flowers around, maybe it wasn't time for purple flowers.

The Prickly Pear Cactus are just starting to get some buds.

This out of business gift shop is located just outside the gate of Picacho state Park. I've been in it many times when it was still in business and I thought they did a very good job displaying their wares to the customer, and had an interesting selection. But they've been out of business for several years. I don't know what caused them to go out of business, there's so many things that can do that, but I noticed the bars on all the Windows and doors and that's never a good sign.

Last nights sunset at Picacho Peak State Park.

8 Comments

JWFitz

3/29/2019 10:43:33 pm

Today I made my final preparations before leaving Imperial Dam LTVA for my "new view." Except! When I returned to my site for the last night and was setting out my ground deployed solar panels so I could top off the batteries in the morning, there was no power. Talk about a throwing a monkey wrench into the plans. When I was already a little late in getting started on my trip north.

My plans for a leisurely trip north to Washington state were impacted by my mothers call announcing that she was having knee surgery and the hope that I would be able to help take care of her and dad for a bit. OK, not a problem it's my mom, no reason I can't change my plans. So instead of 4 to 6 weeks for the trip north I will do it in 2 weeks. Still pretty manageable, just make the layovers a 1 or 2 nights instead of 3 to 5. and a week in Pahrump.

Anyway, looks like I will lose a day in the already truncated schedule taking care of the solar situation before leaving.

I could have left earlier this week but that would have rushed preparations and then the solar mess would have happened on the road.

Thanks for your blog and a place to vent a little.

Tom

3/29/2019 11:17:42 pm

It does seem like problems come in bunches sometimes. And often come at just the wrong time. But it sounds like you're dealing with it well.

Back when I used to make trips to Bellingham Washington every once in a while during the winter, my biggest problem was usually trying to miss the fronts that were often coming from Washington and heading towards Colorado as I was heading towards Washington, and hoping the weather would allow me to get over Snoqualmie Pass.

But hopefully it will be late enough in the season for you to have a quick and easy trip home.

Feel free to vent anytime.

Tom

Linda

3/30/2019 02:23:29 pm

The Pima County Fairgrounds are not lovely but full hookups make for a great change every now and then. When we were there it was usually for a rally so neighbors were close. Then, to add insult to injury, it usually rained the whole time. Ugh!

3/30/2019 03:52:10 pm

I got carried away on my response to your comment and it got so long I just turned it into a blog post, if for no other reason than to prove how lazy I am. It should appear shortly.

3/30/2019 06:18:32 pm

I got the solar problem resolved, sitting here on float right now. By resolved I mean its working. I have also determined other areas of concern that are in need of improvement.

I have also tried to decide why I needed to stay in Quartzsite on the way north. (maybe getting full value for the season pass).it's only 60-90mins away.

An executive decision has been made.. Tomorrows stop will be a Nevada rest area that puts me within easy reach of a favorite site at Pahrump the next day. And hopefully avoiding Vegas rush hours. Beyond that its anybody's guess.

I will get there when I get there.

3/30/2019 07:04:16 pm

Glad to hear your solar's working, I fix a lot of things not knowing how I did it.

Yeah the season pass for the LTVA is a real bargain if you hang around long enough to take advantage of it, I never stay there that long so I just buy two week passes if I need them.

Tom

3/30/2019 07:59:13 pm

Truly I did get full value for the LTVA pass. Last week of October through the last week of March. 5 months for $180. I did do a week of full hookups in Yuma for $150 during that period.

I have lived in SW Arizona for the past 12 years so one patch of desert is pretty much the same as another to me. Though that BLM area near Yuma you stayed at is an exception. Drove by a couple of times this week and it is still pretty crowded.

Anxious to get up to the PNW and spend some time in the forests.

Safe travels
JWfFitz

3/30/2019 08:13:11 pm

Thank you, and same to you. As much as I enjoy being in the desert it always feels good to get back to someplace where the mountains are covered with trees.

I'm surprised to hear that boondocking area near the Yuma VFW still has a lot of folks there. I would've guessed most people would be headed north by now.

Tom

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