First Off – let me say…. It’s GREAT to be back in Arizona!! For some reason, we love this State! WE love this area! Maybe it’s because of the low humidity and maybe it’s because I haven’t had to spend a summer here!!! 100+ degrees in the summer months – hmmmm… I might not like it as well then. Who knows?? But, it’s a dry heat, right??? Hahaha!
My parents, children, and my brother’s family took a trip out here from NC probably 20 years ago. We did the touristy thing, but deep down I knew I’d found my place, which I never confessed to anyone! A few years later, my now Ex-husband and I came out to Colorado and I knew I was meant to be here. Somewhere out west. But I kept it under my hat for years.
Once Trapper and I met, we had travels out this way for work…. now 11 or 12 years later I found myself back out here – marveling it in all. Looking at the vastness from a whole new perspective.
Arizona is kinda funny with the various levels of elevation in a short distance. I think that’s what makes it a favorite spot for some. Benson, AZ attracted me because of the long-term or life-time leases in some spots for when we get tired of moving around or just need a home base. We’re kinda here on a mission to explore options for life down the road.… which is getting shorter by the day….. Just sayin’.
This trip seemed long. I guess it was the four travel days in a row that got us. One picnic area in Dix, TX; 1 Truck Stop east of El Paso, TX; and an overnight stay at Dream Catcher RV Park in Deming, NM. Moving 1000 miles in an RV that quick tends to catch up with you!
I know in that picture above someone’s gonna ask, “What the heck is that on top of your RV?” Actually it’s the street light for the access road. Looks like it’s some kinda mega antenna! Beam Me Up, Scotty… kinda thing! 🙂
Our little Jeep Liberty looks so insignificant to the RV. I’m sure it’s saying, “Just drag me wherever!” I do catch myself looking for it’s shadow going down the road – just to make sure it’s still back there!
New Mexico – Hello! Where’d all this water come from??? We got into New Mexico, finally, and couldn’t believe the water that was standing. We’ve been in and through this area a lot and this was a first!
We spent one night at Dream Catcher’s Escapee’s Park in Deming, NM. Super nice park and we moved on the next day to Valley Vista Encore RV Resort in Benson, AZ.
Four travel days and we were ready for a break! Our plan is to stay here for 6-7 nights.
So, you wanna see a map of our last four days?
Benson, AZ – Oh Yea, this is probably the first time you guys have seen our tires covered. Well, although it’s technically winter in AZ we were facing SouthWest… time to cover the tires!
We used as many Free options that we had through memberships we have… total “camping expense” for this 11 day/1000 mile trip was just under $40 with thanks to a truck stop, picnic area, and two memberships (which were both less than $40/year and we’ve used a lot). I’ll go into that more later.
We’ll be leaving Benson, AZ on January 11 headed to Wickenburg, AZ. Stay Tuned. We’re boondocking the next few weeks. Interesting times coming!
Getting to our roots, back from our spoiled days of electric/water/sewer hookup’s to boondocking again! I must remember to turn the water pump on and the lights off! Oh Lord! It’s a curve….. but we love boondocking and we’re up to the challenge in the new-to-us rig.
I’m sorry to report that Benson, AZ (with all it’s opportunities for long-term stays and life-leases, and deeded lots, for a price) – just didn’t trip our trigger. The landscape and views were great but deep in our souls we just didn’t feel it for a long-term alternative. We’ll keep looking.
You can’t beat the views though! Tombstone, AZ and Bisbee, AZ are within 23 to 50 miles…
As we’ll be leaving here on January 11 and headed to Wickenburg, AZ – maybe we’ll reacquaint ourselves there and look at it with a fresh eye.
Enjoy the photo’s of Benson, AZ….
The Motorcoach to the left of us pulled in and blocked my view! But, that was ok. These folks remembered us from Washington, NC when we all got flooded out! (This post…. https://thefryway.com/index.php/2019/10/13/and-there-was-water-everywhere/) …. they were one of the rigs with a really sweet spot at that Campground but were getting swallowed in water! Joe (the guy next door to our left) put names together and reminded/remembered us. They are also headed to Quartzsite, AZ, so hopefully we’ll meet up again!