Tuesday, March 21, 2017

Leaving Tucson's wildflowers

We got up early to take the trailer to All's RV repair shop. Their mobile RV service would have come to us but mentioned it could get pretty expensive if we needed replacement parts and a return trip. The hub was overheating because the brake needed an adjustment. They made those adjustments, checked the other wheels and we were out by 1pm. The mechanic asked how Mike knew there was a problem since we had just had the brakes and bearings serviced in Mesa before leaving. He is always checking to make sure things are in working order. At times, he will be sitting and suddenly say "What is that  noise?" and march around looking for the change in a sound. I think he is kind of weird but appreciate that strangeness about him. Usually, people end up in the shop when their RV starts smoking from overheating and the expensive damage has been done.  We were thankful for $106 bill and how good they treated us.
An announcement must have been made that the wildflowers along the Sutherland Trail in Catalina State Park were at their peak . As we were returning from our early morning hike, s herd people were heading up to see them.


I like getting out early to beat the heat and people then are back in time for brunch in a shady spot. But I bet when it cools down, sleeping in will be good too.


We saw these strange small holes in the ground on the trail with bees going in and out in several places. It turns out that 70% of bees in the US live underground. A few times while hiking we would walk into a small swarm of bees and then see these holes.



Leaving Catalina a day early to avoid the drive back north after the repairs, we had to find a place to stay until our next stop. March is high season for RVs in Arizona and can be expensive for a night if you can find a place. We checked out the Passport America near Tucson called Justin's Diamond J RV Park.  It turned out to be quite nice at $20 a night. We could see ourselves returning in the future to check out the trails directly from the RV park into the Tucson Mountain Park.



10 comments:

  1. we spent a week there this year and love the trails behind the park...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was good to try dome different trails this time.

      Delete
  2. Glad you got the motorhome fixed without any problems.
    Your photos of the desert floor are beautiful.
    We have stayed at Justin's several times. You will enjoy the trails outback.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There were too many rattle snakes out but will hit those trails next time.

      Delete
  3. That's great that you got a site at Justin's—it's a place we've thought about staying, but we always end up at Gilbert Ray County Park. It's one of our favorites, is located in Tucson Mountain Park and is right next door to Saguaro National Park.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We hear Gilbert Ray is a great place and not far from Diamond J.

      Delete
  4. Looks like the desert is coming alive with color.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This is the best we have ever experienced here.

      Delete
  5. Glad to hear as is well and beautiful photos.
    Really enjoyed meeting y'all on the cross country bicycle trip.
    Lee Allison

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Lee. You must have felt us talking about you as we were driving by where we met you. We enjoyed watching you achieve your goal across the US. Good to hear from you.

      Delete

Cuenca, Ecuador

An Expat Destination The morning after returning to Quito we boarded an hour-long flight to Cuenca. Driving up the winding roads would have ...