
When I retired from working full-time, I took a part-time position inspecting HUD-owned foreclosed homes. The work was both stress-free and fun. I awoke each day and opened my computer to read each day’s assignments. I would then drive to the properties in Eastern Tennessee or Western North Carolina to complete the inspections.
The above summarizes the work portion of the job. The fun began when I would travel through the small villages and towns in our region that I would never visit without this position. Eventually, I learned many of the small diners where locals gathered, browsed the unique thrift shops and antique stores filled with someone’s discarded treasures, and met friendly people who greeted me along the way.
That describes a large part of why we RV…
Helen and I have visited countless small towns and villages as we’ve crossed our beautiful country from Key West to Seattle, Northern Maine to San Diego, sampling diners, drive-ins, dives, local shops, and unusual attractions. A recent example is our drive from New Orleans, LA, to Tucson, AZ, earlier this week.
We spent nights in Beaumont, Van Horn, and Fort Stockton, Texas, on this leg of the trip. Each town had its assortment of small diners and coffee shops offering barbeque varieties, Mexican specialties, waffles, and biscuits. There were thrift shops, the local mechanic, T-shirt stands, even a Dollar General. Fort Stockton featured a large Road Runner Statue and mock-ups of cowboys on the plain. Each town had a style and charm of its own. You don’t get this fun sitting in an airplane.
Las Cruces, New Mexico, came next—more significant than the others, but small. We checked into a well-run KOA campground and issued a prime campsite overlooking the town of Las Cruces. The picture below is our view of the city and the mountains. I also captured a night shot in the same direction. We were fortunate that our view was completely unobstructed


The following day, we ventured into Mesilla, a historic village and once the territorial capital of the region. Helen and I parked near the town square and walked through the shops and the square itself. Mesilla reminded me of a miniature Santa Fe with its Hispanic touch and without people around. On one corner was the building where Billy the Kid was tried and sentenced to hang for his crimes. It’s now a gift shop and tourist attraction (of course). Las Cruces was our last stop in a small town. The next day we left for Tucson.



On the recommendation of our friend Pete, a former Knoxvillian and resident of Tucson, we drove to Saguaro National Park on the outskirts of Tucson. After a short drive from Voyager RV Resort, we left the residential and business district and entered the Sonoran Desert. The scenery was stunning. Giant Saguaro Cacti filled the expanse of land in front of us several miles before we reached the park entrance. We stopped at the Visitor Center for recommendations on short hikes.

The friendly and very helpful Park volunteers suggested we take the Desert Discovery Trail first. The hike followed a loop through the desert marked by informational signs about the Saguaro Cactus, the wildlife found in the area, and the vegetation that thrived through long periods without water. The experience was delightful.



Next, we drove to the Signal Hill Trail, an area inhabited between 450 and 1450 A.D. We hiked from the parking area to the top of Signal Hill to see the petroglyphs, ancient rock drawings, and designs left by people of the Hohokam culture. The hike covered about a half-mile up Signal Hill. Helen debated doing the climb because she had a touch of bursitis in her hip. This condition was also complicated by Helen’s lifelong affliction of the FOMO curse (Fear Of Missing Out). There was no way she would sit in the truck and miss the adventure of the day. With assistance from her husband, she climbed the hill and did fine. The petroglyphs were as fascinating as the entire National Park.

We met Pete and his friend Barbara at the Silver Saddle Steak House for a great steak and prime rib dinner. We thanked him profusely for his suggestions for seeing the best of Tucson.



At this point, I’m going to have to sign off. We’re in Apache Junction, Arizona, at Lost Dutchman State Park. We have no electricity at our campsite, and my computer battery is about to shut down.

We’ll see you next week. We’re Easin’ Along and loving it!