Picacho Peak RV Park

With the closing ceremonies at Escapade behind us, we packed up, hooked up, and headed out of Tucson and headed West on I 10. But not before finishing up the Smartweigh Process. We were second in line at around 7:00 AM. Got that done and grabbed a quick "breakfast" in Old Pueblo Hall. Then it was off to Lazy Days RV for the replacement of our defective Micro-Wave. By 11:30 we were back on I 10 and headed for Picacho Peak RV Park.........

Our destination

Picacho Peak

We had heard about this area from a few people, most notably, Serena at the Benson Post Office who advised it was a great place to view wild flowers and blossoming cactus. She was almost right - we did see some desert flowers, however we were just a few days off on the cactus blooming.

The Park was very clean. Very neat. Those that were there spoke highly of it. Facilities were excellent.......

This building housed the showers, laundry, library, exercise room, pool room, and activities office. Behind it was the main clubhouse, a woodworking shop, as well as a crafts room.

Excellent views at this park from almost anywhere in the park

It didn't take Mary long to find her favorite activity.

Our site was nice.......

Not a bad view anywhere

A look down our row back towards the clubhouse

Probably the best views of any place we've been to so far.....

We met and talked to a few people, one couple we saw walking their (2) Boston Terriers regularly.....

Bud Man and Ellie Mae out taking their owners for a walk.

On the day we were leaving Ellie Mae and her owner were out for a walk and her owner asked if we were leaving and I said yes. I asked her when they were leaving and she said not until July. Her husband had a work contract that ran through that date. He was part of a 4 man team of Helicopter Repair instructors and were there to train helicopter pilots on repair at local facility. Interesting......

On sunday morning Mary and I took a walk on one of the trails that lead from the park to the foot of the Mountains. Very impressed........

A Saguaro forest

Saguaro's were everywhere. Awesome.

What a beautiful background. Mary with one of her own Saguaro's

Never saw the ranch. But they did have a mailbox.

View looking back towards the Park &Tucson. Also, look at all the Prickly Pear Cactus.....

Mary had a ball identifying flowers & plants

Mexican Poppies & Lupine

Mexican Poppies 

The Shadow knows.......

White Chickery

Orange flowers are Desert Globe Mallow

 

Molly with her own Saguaro in her own Dog Park

On the way back from our hike, we met a couple that owned a park model there. Had an interesting discussion with them. He was from Washington(as in State of) and she was from Buffalo area, more specifically Lockport. They were very happy staying at the park. All in all, we had an interesting discussion with them.

We really did enjoy Picacho Peak RV Park, except for the proximity to I 10 and all the traffic noise. The trains also took a little getting used to. At Butterfield we had the horns at the 3 street crossings in town, which were pretty loud and bothersome. No horns here. Trains themselves were definitely much louder here and combined with I 10, something that would have to grow on you to keep from being an aggrevation. People I talked to said you get used to it after a while. I imagine they were probably right as we did eventually get used to the trains at Butterfield.

The other thing that would take some getting used to was the lack of proximity to stores, ie, grocery. 34 miles to nearest Wal-Mart in Casa Grande. Also, no mail, no vehicle washing, no propane. Ouch! Just a nice clean park, with nice people, and fantastic views and nice hiking trails. The pool wasn't bad either.

We did not have a chance to check it out, but right down the street from our park, was Rooster Cogburns Ostrich Ranch. Sounds like it should have been worth the effort to go and see it. Maybe next time through here......

Also noted that the Technomads were here in this area just before Escapade and they included a blurb in their Blog.

On Monday the 16th, we hitched up and headed out. Next stop: Wal-Mart in Casa Grande. Followed by checking in to Casa Grande RV Park for a 3 night stay and a meet up with our friends from Butterfield in November: Keith & Dorann(Saskatchewan) and Denny & Beth(Minnesota).