Making the Transition

 August 2 - 22, 2023

Tombstone, Arizona

Beyond the physical transition of coming off the road for a few months is the mental/mindset of returning to the house lifestyle. For me it starts with a sigh of relief that we're "back" safely, works it's way through the exhaustion of unloading (in the high heat this time), and sort of settles into a combination of projects, visiting, errands and relaxing in the larger space. 

At about 3 weeks I'm once again a comfortable stationary-house-dweller, appreciating our little home in the desert of southeastern Arizona. We still say "I can't believe we own a home in Tombstone!"

Getting back here from SoCal this year I planned two repeat stops to break up the tedious 600 miles. Banning Stagecoach KOA is a nice small park with easy access and tall trees at the foot of the San Joaquin Mountains. For this overnight stop it's 102 degrees when we arrive at 2:00. Other than a quick lunch in town, we hunker down in the AC with some TV for an early night. 

Hoping to beat the heat, we get back on the road before 8:00 Thursday morning. Happy there's no wind, and little traffic on the climb out of Indio, we make one stop for fuel before arriving in Buckeye, Arizona (or is it the surface of the sun?). Leaf Verde RV Park is an overpriced, but efficient, stop just off the Interstate with very little shade. Even though we turn on the generator to run the house AC when we stop for fuel at the Arizona border, it's now 99 degrees inside the coach. When Bill unhooks the Jeep it reads 129 degrees! The reality is the outside temp is about 113, and it's brutal. 

About 15 miles from our stop an accident/vehicle fire has the westbound lanes stopped for nine miles. When we come back to the park after dinner the signage says it's still closed (6 hours later!) Grateful we weren't held up in this heat.

Plugged in with both ACs running we're able to get comfortable for naps and some packing before meeting our friends for dinner. Like many of our RV friends, several high school pals landed in Arizona, and we try to meet up with the handful in the west side of Phoenix when coming through the area. 

Rocky (my class), his wife Cyndee, Jodee, Patty and Kristy from an earlier class, and Bill. Tessa keeping us in line.

Again we're on the road early, and thankfully the temps are much cooler the closer we get to Tombstone. Still, 93 is plenty warm. Glad we can park the motorhome in the driveway with 30 amp for loading and unloading. 

The day after our return we get the exciting news that grand number nine arrived on time! We welcome Cassidy Jane Bannerman to our growing tribe, and can't wait to meet her. Mommy is doing fine, and she and Daddy are as delighted as brother Henry that she's here at last!

Welcome Cassidy Jane!

Four days later we welcome our good friends Maggie and Jimmy who are wrapping up their own summer travels heading back to Kingman.

Donnie and Anna, and Turk (Donnie's brother) come up for games and meals, and we go to their place for same over the three day visit.

Bill, Jimmy and Donnie play cribbage.

Turk contributes the play-by-play for a Cribbage game.

Donnie, Anna, Jimmy, Maggie and Bill play 3-13 after dinner. 

Maggie and I take day-trip adventures whenever we get the chance so Wednesday we're off to Tucson for a museum and lunch. At 108 degrees we're happy for an indoor option at the Arizona History Museum. We take our time (she's the best museum buddy) to read and absorb all the exhibits. The combination of variety, detail, and relevance make this smaller museum a real gem. 

This stunning music player from the mid-1800s is in beautiful condition.

I wish the lighting was better to see the delicate porcelain dancers.

Lots of gems and minerals in Arizona. Their collection is a beauty.

With both the abundance of information and the two-story exhibits, the museum details what a big impact mining has had on the state.

Another big influence on the history of Arizona are those who were here first. The exhibit on those known as Apaches and their leader Geronimo includes information and photos on the changing relationship he and his people had with the settlers and military.

Although he traveled with President Cleveland in eastern cities, Geronimo was still a prisoner when he died at Fort Sill, OK.

The exhibit on the history and growth of wineries and breweries in the state includes this original bar from the Birdcage Theater in Tombstone.

Maggie grew up in this area so on their last day she and I take a quick trip east to Willcox where she and her family farmed for several years. The little town is nearly gone now, but we're able to find a few spots from her past.

Now twice the size as it was, her local church is still here.

One of the best things we did when we first bought the property was to add two 50 amp/water gravel sites for our RV buddies to visit. It's also where our motorhome hangs out when we're here.

Saturday morning we say our good-byes-for-now, and settle into house-mode once again. 

The last few years we've missed the monsoon season here with Jeff telling us how amazing it is. This year we arrive just in time to enjoy the beginning of the incredible power and beauty of these daily storms. Every day the desert is more green, and most evenings include hours of lightning shows all around us.

I can never catch lightning shots like these that were taken in Tombstone.

We get some wonderful colors from our backyard.

Being at the house means getting caught up on appointments and errands. Bill is successful in scheduling a new local doctor so no more drives to Tucson for those appointments - yay! The motorhome slide is diagnosed with parts ordered for our scheduled appointment the first week of September. With another trip planned in October we're anxious to finally have that fixed!

Back in SoCal we get updates from our kiddos as they ride out the tropical storm and then an earthquake (just enough to add to the fun, but not a big one). Some backyard flooding for those in the valley, but the mountain dwellers just had regular rain and wind. All are well, and the next morning the sun is out :-)

Elliott thinks tropical storms are fun!

I'm hoping to explore some of the places we've missed so far in our four(!) winters here in between lazy days and taking care of those pesky things that always need "doing". 

More backyard color courtesy of a healthy monsoon season.

Teatime for Reese and Penelope

Oliver cools off at the park.

Henry snuggles with his little sister a week before she arrives to meet him face-to-face. So cute!!