Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Out and About in Tucson

We've moved on over to Tucson for the next month. We are staying at Justin's Diamond J RV Park, a wonderful little RV park that backs up to Tucson Mountain Park (TMP). They have large sites and trails right behind the park that provide direct access to TMP.

The weather has been a mix of sun and rain and cold and wind so we've been doing little hikes from the RV park and hitting some of the pretty darn great tourist sites in Tucson.

Beautiful trails right from our RV park. That's Tucson Mountain Park in the rain shadow...
There are several wonderful sitting areas scattered along the trails behind the RV park.

I love all the colors and shapes and moods you get in the desert!
I even did a little baking on the rainiest day!

Turns out Tucson has a pretty sweet coupon deal if you plan on visiting several of the excellent sites in the area, it's the Tucson Attractions Passport. Lots of 2 for 1 deals that can make the price of the book worth it after just one site.

We've visited the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. A very well done combination of museum and zoo and gallery. The raptor show was awesome, raptors flying INCHES above your head! The grounds consist mostly of trails through the desert, docents are available for in depth informational tours.

During the raptor show this guy took off from 6 feet in front of me and flew inches above the crowd.

A docent was showing this owl in a courtyard...
Almost doesn't even look real in person!

We've visited the Pima Air Museum. Hundreds of planes on site, some in hangars, some outside, plus you can add on a bus tour of the airplane boneyard at the Air Force Base just across the road. Be prepared to do a lot of walking if you don't take one of the bus tours (an extra charge).

An experimental plane of which only two were ever built.

Art planes!

The Guppy...this was the most unusual looking plane there,
I thought it looked more like a whale than a guppy.

Trippy looking helicopter, Hans told me it was used to lift heavy objects.



The weather is clearing up and we are ready for some good hiking with John and Pam of Oh The Places They Go.

13 comments:

  1. Hey there! We like Tucson so much we're finding it hard to start our engine. We stayed for a while just down that road; the BLM land on the corner of S. San Joaquin and Old Ajo.

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    1. Wow, you were really close to where we are now! Loving being ont he edge of town...!

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  2. Thanks....great info. Keep it coming, I'm taking notes :-)

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  3. Those are some pretty cool looking planes!

    Kevin and Ruth
    www.travelwithkevinandruth.com

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    1. We spent 5 hours there (including lunch) and there was more to see!

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  4. Great photos. Our two months in Tucson flew by. We found so much to do and great places to eat. One of our favorites was Lindy's on Fourth - delicious!

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    1. Thanks and thanks for the food tip! I checked out your blog, perused the Tucson entries, and saw you ate at Mi Nidito. We ate there the last time we were here and enjoyed it too. The rare times we eat out I like it to be worth my while!

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  5. Oh you are giving us SO many good ideas for Tucson!! Can't wait!
    Nina

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    1. I'm glad we have a month here and really liking our park!

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  6. So do you like where your site is ? Dont forget to go to El Charro Cafe...its a must go restaurant.

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    1. We have a site that is in the middle of one of the basic rows, but the size of the site is very nice. Sure would like to get one of the sites along the desert or the wash...too bad they are saved for the returning guests. Thanks for the restaurant tip!

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  7. Lisa I would like to learn how to bake bread as well, can you send me your recipe so I can try it too. Thanks. (mslowe@mac.com)

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