Alright – we are going to rocket right through our spring experiences by doing a couple of big posts. This first one is going to include all of our experiences in Southern Arizona, but this occurred with a trip to California in between. So hang with me….
February 2021: Elgin, AZ
Here we stayed at a Harvest Host. I think I have mentioned this before, but it is a spot where a business (usually a winery, brewery or farm are located) and allow us to stay, with no hook-ups. Stays are usually 1 night, maybe a few more. This particular winery (Sonoita Vineyards) had huge amounts of land, so they allowed us to stay for multiple nights – so here we met my parents, my brother’s family AND my aunt and uncle! This is where we celebrated my mom’s birthday, immediately following the Dallas snow storm.
To be honest, Elgin was not much to talk about. It’s fairly desolate and full of farm land. The winery was great and I would highly recommend a stop there, if you are ever passing through. Just prepare yourself for LOADS of dust.
February 2021: Tombstone, AZ
My aunt and uncle, as well as our family of 5, camped longer than anyone else in Elgin. From here, we drove over for a day trip in Tombstone, Arizona. Tombstone is an Old West town, best known for the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. The main drag is fun to walk down and enjoy little shops.
Cowboy Benny got all into that action.
And of course, we watched the gunfight. It’s soooo cheesy but great fun – and if you ever go, make sure you prepare your littlest ones for some loud gun shot sounds.
We also took the horse drawn carriage ride around the little town. We all enjoyed this random, fun little adventure.
After this, we drove over to Bisbee, AZ to enjoy dinner in this funky little town. We then drove on back to our campsite in Elgin.
March 2021: Tucson, AZ
Fast forward a few weeks into March – we made our way to Tucson to stay for a couple of weeks! Springtime in Arizona is just beautiful. The wildflowers were blooming and the weather is just perfect. Our dear friends were working for some time at the Tucson KOA, so we booked our spot and were just a few sites down from them. Little did we know, this is apparently a huge spot for other full-time traveling families to winter! We met so many here!
This particular KOA is giant and includes a citrus tree at each site. Either lemons, limes or grapefruits – so this makes for fun picking! We had a pool just a few spots down, where so many families hang out. They also have a little library to borrow books from, a large meeting area, a store, and lots of fun activities (like the chili cook-off shown below!).
We enjoyed all the Tucson things while in town…
Friends.
Family.
Hiking.
Visiting the University of Arizona (my alumni!).
Seeing the Tucson Botanical Gardens.
Checking out Saguaro National Park.
The hardest part of Tucson: loosing our sweet kitty. He shot out of our camper a few nights before we left and never returned. We later heard rumor that he had made his way into the engine of a Class A (large motorhome) and did not survive. The irony that he was adopted in Tucson and died in Tucson, despite all of the cities he had been, is sort of wild. We take heart that it was meant to be.
From Tucson – we made our way up to family in Phoenix! Adios, southern Arizona – it’s been fun!
Until next time,
