March 5, 2007

Tucson, AZ

No photos today!

Gas 2.59.9 (Boulder City NV)

Having decided yesterday to head for “half-way-to-Tucson-wherever-it-is,” we somehow missed it along the way and arrived in Tucson last evening as the last flicker of daylight disappeared. It was a 402-mile drive from Las Vegas, an early violation of the 250 mile rule. We are at the Cactus Country RV Park (map), where we stayed 3 years ago while returning from the east coast. It is full of snowbirds.

As we were setting up camp in the dark (Janice did a wonderful job of giving hand signals illuminated by her flashlight as I backed into the space) the winds picked up and they blew steady all night. I was pleased to note that the satellite dish did not blow off during the night, though I slept fitfully debating whether I should take it down.

We enjoyed a nice lunch stop on the road to the Burro Creek campground, along Highway 93. This tumbleweed, rocks and sand dining spot was a tip from Sean and Louise, whose Odyssey blog gave us a preview of the Great Mexico Adventure, as they blogged their way through the same trip in November. They have eliminated the “fear of the unknown.” We are grateful for their pioneering assistance.

Looking forward to seeing nephew James and his wife Erin and daughter Rayna, who we will join for dinner, before heading east on I-10 in the a.m.

And congratulations to the Arizona Highway Department. The roads were smooth as silk with only one minor pothole spotted along the route. Take note, California!

And the el stupido award for the day. For the second time in a year, I forgot to release the parking brake on the Honda, and not until the 315 mile mark did I check it and release it. Fortunately it was only slightly deployed, so we didn’t burn up the brake shoes like the last time when I dragged it 60 miles through Oregon mountains.


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