Saturday, January 30, 2016

Back to Beauty

Catalina State Park in Tucson, AZ, is our next stop. We wanted to catch up with Dave and Sue, and John and Pam, since we said good-bye the end of October. There was also an opportunity to meet some new friends staying in the area.

Another beautiful public park with 50 amp and water in large, level sites with incredible views of the Catalina Mountains - we immediately love being back in a natural setting. 

All sites are full but we have a lot of space
Dave and Sue stop by not long after we pull in - they're the best welcoming committee! With the nearby restroom and extra parking, we decide that our planned gathering can be here on Friday.

The rest of the afternoon we hang out listening to the birds and enjoying the views. Tessa and I take a short walk around the park and part of the nearby horse trail.


Catalina Mountains
Lunch with mountain views 
Winter trees in the Southwest
So much going on here! 
With expansive views out the front window, Site 7 is my favorite in Loop A
We join Dave and Sue at their site in B Loop for happy hour. At the back of the park, the unobstructed views of the saquaro-covered hills are lovely. Great fun getting caught up until the temps dip with the sun and we return home for the night.

A subtle sunset 
Just over the highway at the park entrance is a large shopping center where I head for groceries Friday morning. Back home I make chili for the gathering, read awhile in the sun, and listen to the birds. 

By 2:00 everyone has shown up. Wonderful to see John and Pam again, and to get to know Steve and Mona Liza, and Walter and Cindy P, with their daughter Geneva. With full-timing experience from five years to three months, the conversation is not only lively and often hysterical, but informative as well. I continue to be surprised and delighted at the instant camaraderie among fellow travelers, and look forward to our paths all crossing again down the road.

Bill, Sue, Dave, John, Jodee, Cindy P 
Mona Liza, Steve, Geneva, Walter - thanks for the pics Pam!
As much as we'd love to stay longer to explore the area and soak up the natural beauty, we need to continue east. We will definitely return to Catalina State Park.


16 comments:

  1. Thanks again, Jodee and Bill, for making a stop to get together again. It was wonderful to see you both (and Tessa, of course). Safe travels. Can't wait til our paths cross again:)

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    1. Wouldn't have missed it! We loved getting to see you two again, and look forward to catching up again down the road. Stay safe as this new storm rolls through!!

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  2. Love the setting of the park you're staying in. We'll have to check it out. Take a look at Diamond J's too. I bet you'd like that one also.

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    1. We really liked Diamond J last month - we hope to get back there for a longer stay in the future.

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    1. From every window we could see such beauty! We want to stay a week or more next time :-)

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  4. Looks like a fantastic location and a great time, Jodee!

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  5. Wow, Catalina is so green this year! Looks like a very fun gathering -- lucky you to reunite with the Lone Pine gang plus more great people!

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    1. It has been very green in southern Arizona - so beautiful. Yes, we were missing you and Eric as we got the gang back together :-))))))

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  6. That looks a whole lot prettier than today's picture.

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    1. Hehehe - no doubt about that :) We're tucked in nice and warm in our friend's S&B, but missing that warm sunshine for sure!

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  7. Catalina looks like a great park, we'll keep it on the list for our next Tuscon visit. RV'ers\blogger meet ups are great, MonaLiza and Steve are a hoot.

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    1. We will definitely stay there again - it's pretty perfect. Agreed, we loved meeting them :-)

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  8. We were glad to joined the group and finally meet up with you and Bill. Thank you for hosting the happy hour, Jodee. The setting was just perfect and Catalina SP is one of my fave.

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    1. That was a great day, and so fun to meet you and Steve as well! Hope our paths cross again down the road :-)

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