Siesta RV Park. Las Cruces, NM (March 25-27), 2011

Traveling through New Mexico from Arizona, made a photo stop at the" Ghost Town of Steins" we tried to stay in a couple of New Mexico State Parks, but could not get in.  They are very small (20-25 sites) and it was Friday so we guess the weekenders were out.  Plus we learned it was spring break this past week for both Arizona and New Mexico students.  We ended up in a private RV park in Mesilla not far from our Habitat location.  The park was a nice little park, however, we were in a dirt site and we were surrounded by dirt.  Many of the Las Cruses Palm trees were dead due to an "abnormal" freeze they had in February.  We rode bikes through the quaint Town of Mesilla and visited the town plaza and the courthouse location where the famous outlaw "Billy the Kid" was convicted and he escaped as he was en route to face his sentence.

Now, Our next stop, Our Mission -- Working on Habitat Homes.

Coronado National Forest, AZ (March 24th), 2011

After stopping for lunch and touring the town of Tombstone and a quick photo stop at The Bisbee Copper Mine in Arizona we decided to spend the night in the Coronado National Forest in the Chiricauhua Mountains.  We were in a rustic site but were surrounded by beauty and peace and quiet.  This area was a zoological/botanical paradise with many different rock formations, cliffs and with waterfalls depending on the weather.  Had breakfast in a quaint nearby cafe and toured the area before we headed out.  Definitely another place to return and spend more time.

Kartchner Caverns State Park, AZ (March 22 - 24th), 2011

Kartchner Caverns State Park southeast of Tucson really did have caves to visit.  However, we opted out because the price was a little steep for only half the tour of the caves. Or pay the full price twice to see the whole cave. Definitely was not worth it to us. So instead we took the 2 and one half mile Foothill Hiking trail around the caverns.  Very nice trail; perfect weather (low 70's) and Buddy was the leader of the pack.  The Visitor Center was unbelievable.  Told all about the caverns and how they were formed and found, what you could find in them.  Plus there was a hummingbird garden area not quite in bloom yet but beautiful plants that would be blooming this summer for sure. So many gorgeous desert plants surrounding the area and even a cafe and gift shop you will find there.  The campground was another fine one; large spacious; water and electric sites and great bathrooms.  We will definitely return to these fine campgrounds of Arizona.  Again we lucked out according to the campground host there, because we did not have reservations and we got in to camp.  Arizona school kids are on Spring break so the campgrounds were quite full around this part of the state.  Time to head on over to Tombstone, AZ.

Catalina State Park, Tucson, AZ (March 20 - 22), 2011

Another beautiful State Park of Arizona. Catalina S.P. is about 15 miles North of Tucson.  Electric & Water hook-ups; beautiful restrooms with showers and many hiking trails to take.  The sites were very large and for $25/night you could not beat it.  Just a stopping point to make our doctor's visits for Buddy in Tucson.  Blood drawn one day; surgery planned the next day.  But we lucked out!!!  The polyp was gone and the surgeon tried her  best to find it.  No need for $1800 surgery.  It was Our Lucky Day for sure.  So time to move on towards New Mexico and visit another fine Arizona State Park -- Kartchner Caverns near Tombstone, Arizona.
P.S.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY JASON (24) & GRANDMA HELEN (86) on March 22nd!!!!

Mission View RV Resort in Tucson, AZ (March 15 - 20th), 2011

What a nice quiet park this was; and the people were so nice especially the hosts!!!  This was a Good Sam's Park of which we are members.  The weather was not all that bad either -- high 80's the first few days we were there.  We took Buddy to a clinic that provided his annual shots for $10/each.  What a deal!!!  We drove through Saguaro National Park, applied for Jason's passport, visited the San Javier Mission church and enjoyed the great weather.  Had a little health issue with Buddy of which we visited a recommended Veterinarian in which a minor temporary surgery needed to be done and they (without mentioning to us) contacted the" People for Animals "group who volunteered to pay for most of our bill that day because they knew we were from out of town.  No one has ever done something that nice for us.  We were just shocked and grateful at the same time.  They were so gracious and willing to help us out and this was a visiting Vet named Dr. Olson.  We would recommend the Guadalupe Veterinary Clinic in Tucson to anyone.  They take care of you very well!!!!  Tucson was a very nice town and we enjoyed our visit very much.  The people were so nice everywhere we went.  We decided to move on to another Arizona State Park -- Catalina State Park just north of Tuscon.

Quartzsite, AZ (March 11th), 2011

Someone suggested we check out the boondocking ( free dry camping, no hook-ups) found in Quartzsite, Arizona.  What we found out is that this is truly an RV town.  There were all kinds of parks throughout the town and alongside the roadways.  Some people set up camp and were selling all kinds of items along the way.  So there was this big piece of B.L.M. ( Bureau of Land Management) land and anyone could pull in and camp anywhere in there for FREE for up to 14 days.  It was very quiet and the stars were shining bright in this desert field.  Again, this was just an overnight stop for us on our journey.

Cattail Cove State Park, Lake Havasu, AZ (March 9 - 11th), 2011

 After driving through the city of Lake Havasu, AZ where the World's Largest Antique "The Famous London Bridge" is located and brought over from Europe we stopped a Cattail Cove State Park for a couple of days.  What a beautiful park overlooking Lake Havasu.  There was even a dog beach where Buddy had a blast swimming relentlessly after two ducks that seemed to like being chased by him and were teasing him.  He did his swimming that day!!  We also hiked Whytes & McKinney Loop Trail (about 3 miles) that ran along the shoreline of Lake Havasu providing an excellent view of the lower portion of the Colorado River.  The McKinney Loop took us through desert hills and a shallow gorge with bluffs on both sides.  We enjoyed the nature talks that were provided in the evenings in the best amphitheater  we have ever seen with a cactus gardens surrounding it.  We enjoyed this state park very much!!!!

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monement, AZ (March 13 - 15th), 2011

The Twin Peaks Campground in this Organ Pipe Cactus National Park in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona shocked us.  Even though we had no hook-ups, there were nice showers in nice bathrooms.  The sites were large and they had cement pads with tables and grills.  We were very surprised.  The amphitheater was very nice as well and for the two nights we stayed there; the Rangers gave talks in the early evening:  one of the twilight "Creatures of the Night", the other was about the "Vultures".  The hosts were exceptionally nice and informative.  There were two scenic drives for a total of 31 miles, the Ajo Mountain Dr. and the North Puerto Blanco Dr..  That was our first encounter on dirt roads in a very long time.  We enjoyed the Ajo Mts. drive because it went through the Ajo Mountains and you could see all the different kinds of cactus plants as well of a great view of the Arch Canyon.  We were amazed to learn that a cactus's lifetime could be over 100 - 200 years.  The Kris EggleVisitor Center was interesting and there was a basket weaving demonstration by a native Indian family. 

We were only 5 miles from the Mexican border near the town of Lukeville, MX.  Of course we could not pass up an stop at the tax-free shop and restock, walk into Mexico between the gates and back though
 the U.S. Customs. Since we did not feel like driving into Mexico.  The U.S.Border Patrol was quite heavy and well armed all around this area.

 This is a park we would definitely be back to!  The weather was great for Winter; the scenery was plenty and the people were very enjoyable.  Hiking trails, and biking were also available.

Ajo Heights RV Park in Ajo, AZ (March 12th, 2011)

Just an overnight stay at a nice RV park called Ajo Heights.  There was a very nice cactus garden with horseshoe pits and we went to eat "The Best Ribs in Arizona" at a restaurant called Ajo Roadhouse.  And by the way, Ajo [ pronounced ah-ho] stands for garlic.  Imagine that!!!!

Heading to a Organ Pipe Cactus National Park not too far down the road like 30 miles.

Lake Mead, Nevada (March 7 - 9th) 2011

We stopped at Lake Mead National Recreation Area on our way out of Las Vegas to camp a couple of nights.  It was rustic camping but what a view and the sites were terrific.  We were out of the city!!!  We took a 10 mile bike ride (they had a 38 mile paved bike trail around the park) to the historic railroad trail including old train tunnels.  To our dismay we could not make it to Hoover Dam because they had it blocked off and were doing some maintenance.  But it was a nice ride anyways because it was sunny and just a nice day to ride!!!  Our destination is Las Cruces, New Mexico where we will work on Habitat homes for 2 weeks.  So follow us on our journey there.  P.S. The Hoover Dam By-Pass Bridge is now complete and opened!!