The Trip West - Days 10-12

10/29/14 - for the day we traveled 257 miles which brought our trip total to 2426 so far. The day began at Enchanted Trails RV Park - we packed up and headed out for I 25 and the trip south to Deming, NM. Pretty ride south passing through Socorro, Truth or Consequences, Elephant Butte, Hatch, and finally on in to Deming.

Rest stop on I 25 just below Socorro

We did a lunch stop in Truth or Consequences. And then it was on to Deming.

Our home for night number 10

Our spot at Dreamcatcher

While it looked pretty empty when we got there(about 3:00), it progressively filled up through the early evening. Popular stop - over for people on their way west to Arizona. Had a particularly impressive Motor Home pull in later that night - one of the new full size Winnebago's(which probably costs somewhere in the neighborhood of $500,000.) While there I met an interesting fellow named Ralph. We were both out walking our dogs, me with Molly and he with his Baby Girl. Anyways he told me he was involved with Escapade in Tucson and thoroughly encouraged us to attend. He also said some nice things about where we were going, Saguaro Co-Op RV Park. He also mentioned where he spends the winter- Quartz-Site - in Arizona. Not sure of the spelling, but will indeed investigate. It is all boondock camping.
We spent the night listening to the traffic on I 10 and the unbelievable number of trains that passed right by the park - all night long.

A view from Dreamcatcher

Another view from Dreamcatcher

Dreamcatcher

Us

This big rig was parked in front of us

Dreamcatcher Park Entrance

10/30/14 - day traveled 177 miles to Benson bringing miles total so far to 2603. We left the park around 10:40 and headed west on I 10. About 35 miles west of Deming we came across a sign indicating that we were crossing the Continental Divide - Elevation 4599'.  We also traveled parallel with a Union Pacific freight train for miles. We were running just under 60 mph.

After crossing into Arizona(and another time zone), we stopped for some exercise and a lunch break at San Simon Rest Area.

Rest area was very neat and clean, with pleasant enclosures for protection from the sun,  for picnic lunches. While there we noted the freight trains. A little story here. San Simon rest area is on a mountain. It was a distinct elevation change coming both east bound and west bound for the freight trains. About 10 miles east of here, we noted how much the trains had slowed as they chugged their way up. We not only passed the one that we had been running with, but also came upon another one that was slowly working its way up. After we got to San Simon, we noted East bound trains also struggling to get up........

And just before we left, had the view of both east and west bound trains passing each other....

At about 1:00 pm(West Coast time) we arrived in Benson. Before checking in at Saguaro, we made one more stop at a Walmart. Walmart has been the one constant on our trip. I think that we have been to 5 or 6 of them so far on our trip. Saguaro Co-Op is an interesting park. They accept overnight and longer guests, however you cannot make a reservation. If a spot is open when you get there, you can rent it. If you stay long term and the owner of that spot returns, you have to move. It is a nice park, clean, nice people, and reasonably priced. After signing our paperwork and paying for the site, a fellow named Chuck guided us to our spot and assumed responsibility for getting us backed in properly(without destroying anything). Our spot came with  a Casita(little house). We did not have access to it. People told us that they thought it was funny - the guy that owned our spot was from Maine. Small world.

Lot #16 - Saguaro Co-Op RV Park

Some random views of the park.....

Right after we got backed in and settled, we had a visit from the welcoming committee.  She basically asked about us, and we told her our story. When done she said " Enjoy it now. You never know when it will abruptly end." She also thought it was ironic that the place we were renting was "owned" by man from Maine. She was very nice and said we needed to be sure to attend the Happy Hour at 4 - great way to meet people in the park. This we did and did not regret it. We did meet some very nice people. A gentleman by the name of Ed told us his story - he is a Half-timer just like us. Winter in Arizona, summer back home in Michigan(?). He encouraged us, if we liked the place, to get our name on the list. Supposedly there is a very long list of people who would like to buy in to the co-op. Also,, that night, some people that were out walking, stopped to chat. Turns out that she had roots in Burlington, Vt. And the guy, when we started talking about the park / co-op, mentioned that it was like the Brattleboro Food Co-Op. Small world.

An adventure getting Molly to the dog park each day. She is used to our back yard at home in VT and just dumping when she found a spot that pleased her. This is not a good thing in these parks. Especially with her being upset and nervous about everything. Made for some messy dumps. Oh well......she is worth it.

Some parting shots of Saguaro......

this one my favorite- sunset in the mountains to the east

Later on in the day, we took a drive over to Cochise Terrace to have a look. Ed, for some reason said we would be wise to stay away. We wanted to see for ourselves. We came away very impressed. The lady at the front desk was from Foxboro, Ma. We spoke with a resident, originally from Washington, and she had nothing but good things to say about the place, especially the activities and things to do in the area. We actually got to look at the spot we are going to have. After seeing it, we went back and requested that our name be put firmly on that spot. It was near most everything: dog walk right out back of the trailer, nice view, near the clubhouse, dumpsters, activity room. By near, I mean within easy walking distance, no golf cart required.

We spent probably close to an hour there and left pleased. When we got back to Saguaro, I called Desert Trails, the place we were supposed to spend Feb & March at, and cancelled our reservation. For now, we are going to leave those months open, and hopefully get back to Saguaro as well as do the Escapee's Escapade in Tuscon in March. More to follow.

On Saturday morning we attend the breakfast at the park, then load up and head to Butterfield, which will be our new home for the next 30 days.........stay tuned.