Suguaro SKP Park

When we left Casa Grande our next destination was Suguaro SKP Park in Benson. This was the very first place we stayed at when we got to AZ way back in October. Fitting that we make a return trip before leaving the area. Our plan was to stay for 4 days and then head to Huachuka City for a couple of days, then off to Tombstone for 5 days, before leaving the state of AZ for about 2 weeks in NM.

Our spot. Believe it or not, we got the only full hookup site in the boon docking area. Turns out the park was celebrating 25 year anniversary so it was FULL. We lucked out.

A view east to the Dragoon Mtns from our site

I mentioned the Silver Anniversary the park was celebrating. All residents were in attendance and there was something going on just about every day for the week. We happened in right in the middle of it and were fortunate to be able to participate and enjoy some of the celebrations.....like the parade which we viewed from the comfort of our chairs right behind our Airstream.....

Saturday night was party night in the clubhouse. They especially honored a number of the original founders/owners.....

And then finished up the night with a band and dancing. A good time was had by all.

While we were at the park, we took the opportunity to visit with old friends at Butterfield RV Resort and so headed over Friday afternoon for their Happy Hour......

Last opportunity for us to see a lot of them.....Jay & Linda were heading back home to Nebraska. Ken & Judy were leaving for Nebraska and Ken was traveling from there to Alaska to see Granddaughter HS graduation. When Ken returned, they were heading to Minnesota for a summer work job. Dick & Patti were leaving the following week, as were Don & Pam. All in all, pretty sad day for all of us. Although we all did make plans to reunite back here next year.

While we were at Saguaro, we met some interesting people. I re-met Ed Thomas, the guy that kind of "took us under his wing" our first stay there back in October. He was all caught up in the Silver Anniversary, but still had time to say hello. And then one day I was out walking and noticed a truck with NH plates on it. Stopped to say hello and found out they were from Concord, NH. And when he asked me where I was from and I replied just outside of Brattleboro, Vt he said that back in the 70's he had lived in an apartment above Stockwell's store in West Brattleboro. And then there was Jan & Allan Parmenter. We met them at the dinner/party on Saturday night. Turns out they are also from Vt in the Rutland / Middlebury area. We had a nice conversation with them that night and even continued it after at their lot. Seems they have a lot to do with the Navajo - even to the point of having an adopted grandmother. They shared their stories of what they do for her and the organization that they belong to to try and help out a people that are really in need. We were all ears. And so thankful for them sharing their story. We exchanged contact info and promised to be in touch with them.

We left Suguaro SKP CoOp park on 3/23/15.

Huachuka City, AZ

And then it was time to leave the Benson, AZ area. We have spent most of our time here the past 5 months and it is with mixed emotions that we leave. First stop before leaving Benson and Saguaro SKP Park was Shannon's Auto Parts where we finished up project - replacing all rubber valve stems on Airstream Trailer tires with steel valve stems and then replacing all lug nuts, with solid, steel lugs. Crazy how Airstream utulizes a metric thread on the lug and then puts a Standard Thread cap on the nut. This cap is glued on so that the first time you put an air wrench to it, it causes problems. To avoid this we had them all replaced. Have a special socket that will allow us to use any tire wrench to remove lugs.  This project was in preparation of installing the Air Pressure Monitoring System we bought at the Escapade in Tucson. With this done, we were on our way - for a breakfast break. Stopped at Reb's Coffee Shop & Cafe- all the time we spent in Benson, this was the first time. Not a bad place. Noticed this sign on the wall while eating......

John Deere - Runs good. Missing steering wheel and seat. Ideal for the person who has lost his ass and doesn't know which way to turn.

And then it was off to Huachuka City, which was just a short 15 mile run down RT 90. We stayed at Quails Ridge RV Resort 3/24 & 3/25.....

Our neighbors there were a couple from Wyoming, Vernon(Smitty) & Becky Smith. They had actually "hosted" at a summer camp in Vermont in the vicinity of Maidstone Lake in the northeast kingdom. Small world.

While in the area, we took advantage of some nice restaurants available. The first night there, we took a ride in to Sierra Vista and did Italian with a stop at Olive Garden. The real treat was the next night when we traveled west about 22 miles to Sonoita and ate at a place that was recommended by Sparky during our stay at Cochise Terrace. We were not disappointed. Their specialty is steak. Home grown beef and cooked over Mesquite fire.

The sign out front advertising the nights entertainment

A view of the inside- to where the steaks are cooked!

A look towards the Saloon portion

The nights entertainment.

I have to say, we did get our moneys worth that night. Definitely a place that I would go back to. Back at the park, you can't help but notice all of the 4 wheelers. This is definitely big in this area. Trails are nearby....

And then it was time to pack up and head out. Our 2 days here were good. Nice little park. Then it was off to Tombstone.

Casa Grande

After leaving Picacho Peak RV Park, we traveled west(it really feels like north) to Casa Grande, AZ and Casa Grande RV Park.  Casa Grande is about 40 miles east(South) of Phoenix. Definitely more congested than anything we've seen so far, with the exception of Tucson.

The purpose of the trip there was 2 fold. One was to experience the Casa Grande area and two, was to meet up with old friends from Butterfield that we met in November, Dorann & Keith from Saskatchewan and Denny & Beth from Minnesota. We're thinking we might like to try this area next year.

From left, clockwise: Mary, Beth, Dorann, Denny and Keith

Overall, the park was pretty nice and we could see why the 2 couples have been here since December. Lots going on........like Pickle Ball, which, I could see, both Denny and Keith are seriously hooked on.......

It is even a spectator sport.........

Outside Denny & Beth's RV

The spot we had was site # 332, one of the pull throughs. People were friendly. Actually had a guy stop by and say hello who was from just outside New London, NH. In talking found out he had a brother-in-law that lived in West Swanzey, NH. Not 20 miles from us.

After partaking of another of their free breakfasts(free Waffles, coffee, and juice every morning), we had to say our goodbyes, return to Zia and packup, hookup, and head out. Next stop was less than 12 miles away.......the Escapees Co-Op park which is called Rovers Roost.

Thoughtful

Rovers Roost is an Escapee park(SKP), so you have to be a member to park here. The overnight charges are very reasonable, with full hookups and tax, it cost us $17.07 for a nights stay. As they say in their brochure, if you are traveling to Quartzite, it is an ideal stop over place. Actually a nice, quiet little park.

Our spot, site #7

Main office and clubhouse

Beautiful entry way

After we had been there and got settled in, I made a phone call to Lazy Day's RV and ordered a 160 Watt portable Solar Panel. This is almost a must for us if we are going to be doing any boondocking, as well as battery maintenance when parked this summer. It is supposed to arrive next week so we can pick it up before we leave the Benson area.
This afternoon we had an actual thunder storm blow through the place. Definitely made Molly uncomfortable- she wouldn't leave her "mother" alone. Quite a good downpour with it to. Imagine a few "warshes" filled with water.

After the rain stopped we had a short "happy hour" then went for a walk around the park. Found a couple of interesting things along the way.....

A "SquareStream"....only a few of these made in the 1989-1991 time frame

The cutest thing we've seen in our travels. A Boston in a frog suit. Molly was quite intrigued.

Next morning we got up and one of the first things I did was to take Molly for a "walk".  And what should I discover on this walk, but just what Mary has been looking for- Flowering Prickly Pear Cactus'. We had just missed the blooming while at Picacho Peak.....so this was special. She didn't take long getting her shoes on and following me....

And coming back through the fence a pretty neat sign.......

And lastly, a look down our row towards our trailer and the office.....

RoversRoost SKP Park

And then it was time to hook up and head out again. We'll be traveling down the road to hit I 8 East and then hook up with I 10 West towards El Paso. Except we'll be getting off in Benson for a 4 day stay at Saguaro SKP Co-Op(another members only park).  Should be a trip of about 110 miles or so. More to follow..............