At long last, we’ve arrived somewhere the weather actually
welcomes us—hello, southern Arizona! After more than 4,500 miles on the road
from chilly Massachusetts, it feels
like we’ve finally hit the jackpot.
Mornings may start off cool and brisk—think mid to upper 40s—but by afternoon,
it’s a perfect 70-something, with gentle breezes that practically beg you to
stay outside. Evenings settle into a refreshing coolness, making sleep a dream.
It’s no wonder people flock to Tucson this time of year while the rest of the
country shivers under winter’s grip. Of course, I have to remind myself
occasionally: summer here is a whole other story. With daytime highs over 100
degrees and nights that barely dip below 75, it’s a dry sauna—not exactly my
kind of paradise! But what makes Tucson truly special is its stunning backdrop.
The city sits nestled in a desert valley, surrounded by five impressive
mountain ranges—the Santa Catalina to the north, Rincon to the east, Santa Rita
to the south, Tucson Mountains to the west, and Tortolita up in the northwest.
These peaks soar up to 9,500 feet above Tucson’s 2,400-foot perch, serving up
panoramic views that’ll take your breath away. And then, of course, there’s the
legendary Saguaro cacti—those towering green giants that seem to wave at you
from every direction. Some stretch skyward over 50 feet tall, their arms
twisting and posing in ways that make every cactus a contender in a desert
beauty pageant. I found myself mentally rating each one as we passed, with
bonus points awarded for any Saguaro hosting a bird’s nest. (A rare sight, but
always a treat.) And speaking of style—don’t be surprised if you spot a Saguaro
wearing a sunhat! Out here, everyone’s in on the secret: the Arizona sun
doesn’t play favorites, not even with the locals.
Large Saguaro Cacti, Saguaro National Park
Judy and Eli @ Top Golf
Our Tucson trip was memorable, thanks to reconnecting with
friends who know the city well. Eli, a University of Arizona student we've
known since his childhood, took us to Top Golf for some lighthearted fun. Alan,
Judy’s first principal in Massachusetts and now a part-time resident, gave us
tips on the best sights. With such a packed itinerary, our week flew by and
barely covered all that Tucson has to offer. Here are a few highlights from our
busy visit, made possible by our knowledgeable friends.
Sweetwater Wetlands
Alan stopped by the RV Park to get the 411 on our RV lifestyle
and reconnect with us before we accompanied him to Sweetwater Wetlands, a
renowned bird sanctuary. Covering 30 acres, this free public park offers
wildlife habitats, walking trails, ponds, and riparian vegetation, and hosts
over 300 recorded bird species.
Tombstone,
Arizona
Our day trip to Tombstone,
AZ—affectionately called “The Town Too Tough to Die”—was a riot from start to
finish. About 75 miles southeast of Tucson, this small city is bursting with
Wild West personality. We jumped on a trolley tour that whisked us past all the must-see sights: 
Office out back at the OK Corral in Tombstone
the infamous Bird Cage Theatre, the imposing Tombstone
Courthouse, Big Nose Kate’s Saloon (once a hotspot for gamblers and colorful
characters), and, of course, the Boothill Graveyard. But the real highlight was
returning to the historic O.K. Corral. The site buzzes with energy, especially
during the live reenactments of the legendary shootout between the Earps, Doc
Holliday, and the Clanton-McLaury gang—performed several times daily by some
seriously talented (and, in at least one case, very good-looking) historical
actors. The actor playing Doc Holliday was so dashingly handsome that Judy
insisted on a photo—and for a moment, I thought I’d be heading home solo while
she rode off into the sunset with Doc! Beyond the action, the O.K. Corral
features a fascinating museum, an authentic 1880s stable, vintage buggies, and
a real working blacksmith shop. We also took time to explore C.S. Fly’s
legendary photography studio, right next door to the Corral. Fly’s collection
of Western photos is a treasure trove, including some of the most iconic images
ever taken of Geronimo and his Apache clan. All in all, our visit to Tombstone
left us grinning, full of stories, and just a little worried I might have to
tip my hat and say, “Goodnight, Doc, take good care of Judy!”
 |
| Judy with that Dashing Doc Holiday at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, AZ. |
The
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Saguaro
National Park
Not too far from the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, we traded the curated trails and animal exhibits for the wild beauty of Saguaro National Park. The moment we hit the dusty paths, we were greeted by a cast of desert characters: the stately Saguaro cacti—towering everywhere you looked—kept us company at every turn, while Teddy Bear Cholla, Fishhook Barrel, and sprawling Prickly Pear added their own thorny personalities to the mix. The scenery was so breathtaking that it almost made us forget we were putting in the miles—until we realized our leisurely exploration had become a solid 4.5-mile hike. And with so many spiny neighbors lining the trail, I made sure to keep my footing; one misstep and I’d be picking cactus spines out of some unlucky appendage for the rest of the trip—a souvenir I was definitely not eager to take home!
Catalina
State Park.
We enjoyed yet another wonderful
morning with Alan, whose home is nestled north of Tucson by the scenic Catalina
Mountains and Catalina State Park. Thanks to Alan, who had already shared so
many helpful suggestions, we felt like insiders as we explored the park on a
lively Saturday, when the Nature Program featured a fascinating live reptile
exhibit. Alan led us along his favorite 2½-mile Canyon Loop Trail, which winds
over and back across the Cañada del Oro Wash. To our surprise, the wash
actually had water flowing, making our hike even more memorable as we navigated
its crossings together. 
Alan & Judy in Catalina State Park
As memorable as the sights of Tucson were, the awe-inspiring Saguaro National Park, the thrilling Raptor Free Flight at the Desert Museum, and even swinging away at Topgolf, what truly made this stop memorable was reconnecting with old friends. There’s a unique joy in sharing the road with those we’ve known and having our journeys intersect in surprising ways. Meeting up again with Alan and Eli were the highlights, the kind of meaningful encounter that makes RV life so rewarding. You never know when your paths might cross again, and that’s what makes these reunions so special. And with that, we invite you to join us, as we tell… the rest of the story.
