It’s been a while since I wrote but that is because we have been so busy.   When we left the overnight for electric after Joshua Tree we arrived at Lake Pleasant – Desert Tortoise Campground in AZ.  When we left there, we found gas for $3.88 a gallon but when we arrived at Costco in Tucson it was $3.49.  We are back to about $125 for  a full tank of gas, such good news. 

Pleasant Lake was so lovely, except for the heat which remained in the high 90’s low 100’s. When we have a connection, we check the weather and it seems every time we leave the day after the weather breaks and the temperature deceases.  We have now had a little more than two weeks of mid to high 90’s, it has been really zapping the both of us.  There was a marina there that was mostly closed for the season and was opening up again in the spring so we were not able to take any boat rides.  I was so excited to be there since we had an excellent space right on the lake.   I told Jerry we even had a covered patio so that would make shade for us!  The picnic table was a permeant concrete one.  The person who designed the park did not watch the sun’s movements.   The picnic table and patio were only in the shade from 10:15 to about 11 am.  Not useful for breakfast, lunch or dinner!  I did sit out there one morning with my coffee but moved my chair with the sun.   I was able to stay outside from 9:30 to about 11 am.  By that time, it was 92*.  I had work to do so that was fine and we came out again at about 4:30 until the sun set around 5:30.  The park was full of wild burros which I enjoyed watching from inside and outside.   The squirrels (rats with tails), chipmunks and birds were not concerned about me at all.  They came right up to where I was sitting and even stamping feet did not chase the rats with tails away.  Ernie and I did walk around and see the burros, but he was not as connected to them as the deer.  When we were leaving one walked right next to the RV.  By time I got my camera out I only caught the back end of him.   

The ride from Lake Pleasant to Saguaro National Park was about a two-hour drive.  We had to check out by 11 am and could not check in until 2 pm so what to do?  Lunch of course!  Jerry was driving so you know we went to an interesting place.  I found this restaurant called BaDillions Restaurant and Catus Garden.   It was in an old adobe house built in 1917 that was scheduled for demolition.   The people who had owned the home had left and were renting it out for parties.   The chef hired to cater the party  came and fell in love with the home.  One thing led to another and he and his wife saved the home and beautiful gardens from demolition.   The food was amazing!   I had a prime rib French dip sandwich with a jicama salad.  Jerry had a chicken vegetable sandwich with crab bisque soup.  We both agreed it was the best food we have eaten on the whole trip.

From there we drove through some cute towns on the way to Tucson. 

We really enjoyed Tucson even though it was so hot.  The National Park is split into two sections, the west and east and the city is in the middle of them.   It takes about an hour to go from one side to the other and I found an RV park in the middle.   We don’t go to KOA’s and the one time we were to one I didn’t like it one bit.  But our RV organization had a discount code and the location was right so I booked it.  It is very nice.  Some spaces are under a canopy of solar panels that provide shade most of the day.  We were able to park in a way that keeps us in the shade except for about 1 hour a day.  We also rented a car since there are always roads we cannot navigate in the RV in the parks.  It worked out so well.  The first day we went to the west side and I spoke with a Park Ranger that gave me so many facts about Saguaros I am about to share with you.   The height and when a cactus sprout an arm (I had called them branches but was corrected by the ranger) depends on how much water they have available.  He told me the cactus on the west side take longer – about 75 years to sprout an arm, on the east about 50 years.   The cactus in the east grows taller and live longer – about 200 years!   They also have more arms since they have a better consistent water supply.   There are mountains in the east that receive snow each year and that water is absorbed by the cactus.  I enjoyed looking at them and seeing different things.   I saw one that looked like gumby, didn’t get a picture and two that looked like they were hugging since their arms were around each other, one looked like a sombrero and one looked like a face with two eyes.   When we went to the east side, they did look taller and had more arms. 

WEST SIDE

DOWNTOWN TUCSON

EAST SIDE

We of course had lunch each day.  On the west side we stopped in the city since we had to pass through.   We ate at JoJo’s and food was served on the patio with a guy singing 70’s songs.   They know who goes to lunch.   The food was good and I had a slow roasted beef sandwich with Mexican spices, carrots and fennel, one of my favorite vegetables.  It was so good.  Jerry had tacos.   When we were on the east side, we ate at a restaurant that was established in 1956.  The food was good but not picture worthy, but they had huge windows with bird feeders all over the place.   I had a great time watching the birds while I waited for my food.  I know you are wondering – did she see a roadrunner? Answer no, but there was one in the display case at the park visitor center.  That was the closest I got.

Tomorrow, we leave to go to New Mexico and will stop over in Las Cruces on our way to Carlsbad Caverns.  Las Cruces will be in the high 70’s, low 80’s while we are there and each day there is a chance of rain for those of you dreaming about Amazon gift cards.  After that on to Texas and a visit with a friend from high school.   We will be in Texas for about 10 days.  I told Jerry we are getting to the end of the trip and he said until I have plans for the next trip, he doesn’t want to hear about it.