Desert Trails - week 7

January 14-19, 2014:

After months of talking and thinking about it, we finally did it.  This was the best time and place for it to all come together.  We traded both the GMC Denali dually and the Avalanche 5th wheel away for a used class "C" RV.  We actually had good service from both the Avalanche and the GMC, especially the GMC dually that was rock solid, like the GM advertisements, it will be missed.  The issue was that the overall size of the rig was sort of inhibiting our RV travels.  It's just to big to fit comfortably into many places where we want to go.  In addition, the dually is so cumbersome to use as a daily driver, Twinkles won't drive it at all and it's useless as a off road/back road vehicle.  So, we made a deal with a local Tucson RV dealer, Lazydays, to trade in both against a 2008 Jayco Grayhawk class "C" motorhome and enough cash to pay about half the cost of a 2011 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4X4.  The Jayco is not downsizing too much at 31 foot, except there is virtually no storage space now.  (We are going to have another yard sale for sure) I am feeling a little down about the trade off, the Jayco is such a big square ugly white boxy vehicle and it hurt to lose the big Dually truck, however the Jeep Wrangler is a pretty cool ride.  Hopefully this works out as I don't ever want to do this again, such a pain in the ass !  The saving grace in this transaction was the excellent RV dealer, "Lazydays", who were happy to take both the RV and Truck in trade and making the swap a convenient almost pleasant operation. These guys were so much more professional (highly recommended) than our experience at Camping World where we bought the Avalanche 5th wheel.  

We drove to Lazydays on Tuesday morning where they checked in the rig, took us to the finance department for mountains of required paperwork then a welcoming into the Lazydays family with a gift and assorted promotional and educational stuff. They then drove us to pick up a complimentary rental car for our use for a few days. It was then the task of transferring everything from the truck and 5th wheel into the Motor home.  It was an exhausting day, it was about 7 PM by the time we were done.  We spent the night camped in their parking lot, to test out all systems as they had water and electrical hookups there.

Here we are getting ready to switch over

Into the Grayhawk

The Jeep Wrangler was a different experience, I would have walked out of this dealer, on principle, if it wasn't for the fact that I really wanted this Jeep.  They had an advertised price on the vehicle to suck you in, then they spring on you several hidden additional  charges for window tinting, window anti theft etching and exterior paint protectant treatment (already done) that they expect you to pay for.  A real scam job!  We bargained away part of the extra charges and reluctantly accepted the offer with a very bad taste in out mouths.  The salesman however was good, it wasn't his fault, but this dealers sales practice were shady at best.  

We drove the Jayco back to Desert Trails on Wednesday afternoon and continued to sort through stuff, what to discard, where to put stuff, this will be going on for a while, very stressful !  It is a Jayco Grayhawk, but I am calling it the "Free Bird".  

Thursday, we returned to Casa Grande, AZ to pick up the Jeep with a complimentary rental car from Lazydays RV.  The Jeep dealer was redeemed partially by having the Jeep cleaned up nicely and having the paperwork ready to go.  Now, it's a matter of getting the vehicles titled and registered in South Dakota through our very efficient mailing service, Americas Mailbox. I'll be so happy when this is all behind us.  

Back on Monday, I had gone for a routine physical with a local doctor, but still needed to get lab work done to complete the physical.  So, that was the first priority on Friday morning.  I hope the stress of this week does not affect the results ?  Afterwards I took a diversion to the Tucson rodeo parade museum.  This site was the original Tucson airport, one of the oldest airports in the country and the museum building was the actual hanger building.  Lindbergh landed the "Spirit of St. Louis" there.  The museum has a huge collection of old wagons and coaches and several built by the famous Rondstadt company in Tucson.

Horse trailer of Duncan Renaldo, better known as the
"Cisco Kid", his horse was "Diablo"

Tucson's first fire wagon

Dr. Brown's snake oil cart

La Fiesta de los Vaquros parade Wagon

Rodeo scene on side of a Wagon

An old Rodeo painting

A famous Tucson area ranch wagon

Late 1800's security on the Sonoran Railroad

Entrance to the Rodeo Parade Museum

  Then more communication with the insurance agent, then to Camping World for a few things then back to the campground for another round of organization.  There is much to do with a new rig, much to learn, trying to maximize the limited storage space, adding hooks, racks, a new shower head with an on/off valve, making spare keys, it goes on and on.  There also are surprises, like a water leak at the kitchen drain connection to fix and finding broken welds at the rear bumper due to excessive stress (poor design) of the spare tire mounted on the bumper.  The next month at Desert Trails I will be going over both vehicles to make sure everything is good for the road come March. 

Friday night I escaped to downtown for a while to LaCocina Bar, Food & Music to see a local performer, Hank Topless.  Unfortunately, for whatever reason, he was not there, so I moved on to the District Tavern for a while.  The District would accurately be called a dive bar, but I like it in spite of the fact that I have never seen anything of real interest there ?                                             

Saturday night we went to Dinner with our friend and neighbor Lilia, to Fred's Arena Bar and Steakhouse.  Fred's is a real cowboy Steakhouse about 15 miles west of the campground, down a dirt road in the desert with great vibe and food.  There was a band playing and it was packed with people eating and dancing.  The burgers and steaks are really good too !

The Jeep against a scenic backdrop 

A compass gift from Lazydays RV

Enjoy the Journey !

Twinkles and Slick

Desert Trails week 6

January 7-13, 2014:

We have been having a run of beautiful sunny weather for several weeks now, mid 60's to mid 70's in the afternoon.  It still gets cold at nights, near freezing, but our electric blanket has been working great.  The campground is loaded with many snowbirds from northern areas who are walking around in their shorts, no matter the temperature, all smiles as they talk about the sub zero temperatures back home.

Another type of snowbird, Goldfinches, in a feeding frenzy

Quail in tree behind RV

We did the Casino del Sol mexican buffet on Tuesday night with roving Mariachi musicians, the buffet was just just OK, great for the price (zero), but the deserts were really great. Twinkles also won another $50 on the penny slots, but eventually gave half back to them, I was a total loser all the way !  After stuffing ourselves, we are now feeling like crap and going back to soups and salads.

Mariachi band at the buffet

I've been suffering some kind of mild stomach virus this week and not doing much fun stuff.  Friday, I had to get out on a hike for some exercise, so I went on a 4 mile loop hike on the Cam-Boh trail to the Panther Peak trail to the Roadrunner Trail.  It was beautiful scenery with Panther Peak and Safford Peak in the background. It was a well used horse trail with lots of horse poop to avoid which was different.  There are ways to bushwhack to the top of Panther Peak, I was tempted, but it seems to be a closed area, stay out signs are posted !  Also the trail guide claimed roadrunners were common on the roadrunner trail, image that, but I didn't see any ! 

View on the Roadrunner trail of Panther Peak

Huge old Saguaro

Saw this along the trail, must be a story 

Saturday was a return back downtown in the evening for Tucson's second Saturday festivities.  I watched "House without a sink" do their last song and then another band (unidentified) for a while, before moving over to 4th Avenue to the Club Plush.  The first band at Plush was pretty much noise pollution with lots of harsh screaming into the microphone.  The second band was far better, weak in the vocals but strong musicianship.  I didn't hang around for the last band, sad to say, it's way past my bedtime these days.

Street band on 2nd Saturday Tucson

Great Hotel sign in downtown Tucson

For whatever reason, I never get out in the desert for the best light of the day and the sunset, which is often really great here.  On Sunday, I finally managed and it was a good one.  Next, maybe I'll try for the sunrise, while the coyotes and night creatures are still out ?

The Coyote Trail behind Desert Trails RV Park

View along the trail

The sunset was setting the landscape ablaze in color

The sunset

The colors just kept getting better

It has been a very stressful week concerning major changes to our RV operating routine. I must keep it all under wraps for the present as nothing is yet finalized, although everyone in the campground seems to know ?  These exciting changes will all be revealed in the next blog. The suspense is building !!!

Happy Trails,

Twinkles and Slick

Happy 2014 at Desert Trails

January 1-6, 2014:

I started 2014 properly by attending an Arizona Blues Hall of Fame induction concert at the Hotel Congress.  This is a state wide Blues organization that has a Phoenix faction and a Tucson Faction.  The Tucson group does little promotion that I can see, not even a table to sell CD's, tee shirts or merchandise.  The Phoenix group on the other hand is much more active from what I have seen.  The concert was well done however, the music was great and and considering it was on New Year day was very well attended. 

I have found an independent Tucson radio station, 91.3, that plays much new fresh music that you won't hear on the mass media stations or main stream record labels along with much local Tucson music.  Very refreshing !  They even have a blues show on Saturday evening.  I also found that there is a Tucson Musicians Museum, but it seems to exist only as a internet website.  One more find is the lovely Tucson Nimbus Brewery and their dirty blond beer.

T'm calling it "Dirty Girl" beer

Thursday was a 9 mile hike with the campground hiking group on the Bear Canyon Trail in Sabino Canyon to Seven Falls.  It was a perfect sunny day with low to mid seventy temperatures.  The end of the trail at Seven Falls had flowing waterfalls, great views in all directions and a perfect lunch spot.

The Seven Falls

View along the Bear Canyon Trail

On the trail

On Friday after Twinkles gourd making class, we went to the local library where I ended up books on Geronimo, Poncho Villa and Cowboy Poetry, quite revolutionary.  Next stop was the local casino, quite a contrast !  The "Casino del Sol" is a beautiful casino with several restaurants, a hotel and a concert pavilion.  We signed up for free players card which gives you a $10 credit and a free buffet dinning coupon.  We then went to the slots and about quadrupled our free money.  They also have a card reader near the entrance where you swipe your players card for a chance to win stuff.  Twinkles immediately won another free buffet dinner coupon, so it was a very productive afternoon !  The downside is that the gambling bug has now taken a bite again.

Amazing story

Friday night I went to the "Surley Wench Pub" in Tucson for their monthly "Black Cherry Burlesque" show.  The performers were the exotic Lola Torch, Diamond Morgue, Natasha Noir, Stormy Leigh and possibly more along with MC, Stephka VonSnatch.  They seem to be genuinely dedicated to preserving and celebrating the art of burlesque.  It was well done with very theatrical, artistic performances to music and much rowdy crowd appreciation.  There weren't that many dirty old men in attendance (I helped) and the dark, sleezy element was lacking somewhat, but it was a fun event. No photos allowed !

This is the Surley Wench

The trouble with bullets and blondes ?

Afterwards, walking past the "Plush", I saw a banjo duo playing inside, couldn't pass that by !  Inside was a incredible banjo player, Wilder Lee accompanied by Olivia Garriga on upright bass.  They are basically street performers, rarely play inside, mostly all original tunes, ended up buying their CD, "Shadow of a Hercules".

Saturday afternoon was a hike for us on the Signal Hill and Cactus Wren Trails in Saguaro National Park.  The short Signal Hill trail takes you to a hilltop where there are many ancient Indian Petroglyphs in the rocks and a nice view of the surrounding desert.  The Cactus Wren trail is mostly flat but very scenic with many large Saguaro's and other cactus types.

Rocks are covered with Petroglyphs

Interesting artsy rock art design

Saguaro wood, another interesting design

An interesting ring of fish hook looking cactus

I'm slightly under the weather on Sunday and Monday, not used to being around lots of people with all sorts of germs floating around.  I get out again on Monday for some errands and to roam around downtown Tucson a little as it is a nice warm sunny day.

Tucson's historic Fox Theater

Tucson's beautiful Pima County Courthouse

Beautiful tile mural near the Tucson Art Museum

Old historic building in contrast to the new

Old Tucson view and French Horn in music shop window

Mural on side of the Rialto Theater

Stay warm, 

Twinkles and Slick

Desert Trail week 4

December 24 - 31, 2013:

I'm watching the birds through our very dirty RV rear windows, (another overdue cleaning task).  There are so many birds here, we have hummingbirds, quails, doves, woodpeckers, cardinals, sparrows, goldfinches, chickadees and even a roadrunner to name a few.  We found that the woodpeckers love the hummingbird feeder also, they are on it as much as the hummingbirds.  There are so many bird feeders in this campground, I'm surprised the birds can still fly.

Tuesday was a bright, sunny travel day to Phoenix, always good, and the trip was uneventfull.  At the Perduk household we find Angie making batch after batch of cookies, a huge pile of presents around the Christmas Tree and Tatum dying to open them.   In the evening, while they all go to church, Twinkles and I stay at the house with Mom and watch "Christmas Story".  You can never tire of watching that classic movie.  On return, Tatum is super hyped up about Christmas morning and the huge pile of presents waiting for her to open.

The Perduk Christmas Tree

Ralphie with Santa

 Christmas day Tatum is ready to go at 7 AM, but had to painfully wait until 8 AM when Aunt Cindy arrives.  After stalling as long as possible and mush begging, Tatum is allowed to open one small present from us.  It is a gag present that Twinkles warns her about over and over.  She pays no attention and opens it up to find a package of fried grasshoppers upon which she pretty much freaks out, tears and all.  That did calm her down somewhat !  Shortly after 8 AM the present opening begins and continues for about two hours, so many gifts !  The "Hello Kitty" store made much money on this family.  The rest of the day was typical Christmas; movies, new toys, games, excessive food, cookies, chocolates and a needed walk around the block. 

Tatum is Hello Kitty to the max

And the hot item this year, rubber band bracelets

Marie cutting the  Ham

We said our goodbyes and left Phoenix at noon on Thursday.  Back at Desert Trails in the RV, it seemed dealthly quiet compared to the Perduk household.  Somehow, we came back with much more food than we left with and feel a need to start dieting soon.  Maybe next week ? 

Friday evening Desert Trails entertainment was a group called "Rondstadt Generations" that is a made up of Michael J. Rondstadt and his sons Michael G. and Petie.  The Rondstadt family is a very prominent Tucson family who go back many generations to the early days of city. The original Rondstadt started a blacksmith shop, which became a large carriage making factory and then a large hardware store.  They also have deep musical roots and are best known for Linda Rondstadt, who is the sister of Michael J. Rondstadt.  They are certainly one of the best groups to play at Desert Trails.  

Saturday we returned to the Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum for the first time this year.  We actually went there on Friday afternoon, but could not find a parking spot, so we went back in the early morning on Saturday.  Needless to say, it is very popular place and this is a peak time of the year.  We spent all morning there and saw the great Raptor show.  The Great Horned Owl and the Red Tailed Hawk put on fantastic flying exhibitions.  The Hawk in particular, one minute it was far in the distance riding the thermals, then within seconds it was swooping down right over our heads at full speed for a feeding.   We then stopped for lunch at "Coyote Pause", a favorite breakfast spot of ours (and everyone else) that we have wanted to try for lunch.  It did not disappoint us !  

Great Horned Owl

Red Tailed Hawk coming in for a landing

Flicker Woodpecker in Saguaro Cactus nest

Sunday was a loner day for me going off to Tucson Mountain Park for a new camera testing session.  I am almost understanding how it works now, that's progress.  I then wandered around Tucson from 12th street to 6th street to 4th Avenue in search of interesting sights.  They always seem to be in poor areas of South Tucson where I feel a bit out of place. Lots of old adobe buildings all over this area. 

Mission San Xavier Del Bac

Mission San Xavier Del Bac

Nice spot to sit and contemplate

Another special spot

South Tucson welcome sign

Street side tile art work and a great Yucca plant

Murals in 6th street parking lot

Beautiful school building in Tucson

The usual great New Years eve dinner at the Desert Trail recreation Hall was a packed house followed by a live band and dancing to welcome in the New Year.

The New Years eve dinner at Desert Trails

Another year is done, it was a busy action packed adventure that went way too quickly.  In 2013, we put 19,100 miles on the dually, 4,250 pulling the RV and stayed at 42 campgrounds or camp sites, visiting (8) National Parks and several national monuments and state parks in California, Oregon, Nevada, Utah and Arizona.  We also spent 2 full months bondocking and another month dry camping in various parks and casinos.

Happy New Year to all,

Twinkles and Slick