Easin' Along

Helen, Mortimer, and I scampered out of the heat in Arizona as soon as we could. We canceled the last two days of our reservation at Lost Dutchman so that we could get to Fiddler’s Cove Marina and RV Park earlier than planned. We would have canceled more nights in Arizona, but Fiddler’s Cove was full, and I understand why.

We have four Military campgrounds at the top of our list of favorites, and Fiddler’s Cove on Coronado Island is at the top. Whidbey Island, WA, is a very close second, but I doubt we’ll get there again. We reserved 10 nights in Fiddler’s Cove—four nights in a middle row and six nights on the waterfront. When we arrived, the temperature was in the low 70s, with a soft breeze coming in from the Pacific. It didn’t take long for us to shake off the desert heat and settle in. We had a catfish fry for dinner.

We have camped at Fiddler’s Cove at least five times previously and have completed most of the “tourist things” in and around the San Diego area, so we felt no urge to move around much. Sailboats were racing throughout Coronado Bay (picture at top) and provided some entertainment while we read books from our perch just above the water.

Helen and I enjoy visiting some of the many piers along the Southern California coast. The Imperial Beach Pier is about 10 miles south of the campground and is a place we visited one afternoon. Again, the weather was delightful, but the crowd was light. Fishermen along the pier rail were in a school of small fish and stayed busy pulling them in. Helen tried to befriend a large Pelican, but he just wasn’t into it. The locals kept throwing their fish at him, and he needed to concentrate.

The beach across the highway from the campground gave us an opportunity to get some exercise walking, and we took advantage. Shore birds gave us some company. The flowers just off the shore were in full bloom.

Coronado hosts a Farmer’s Market on Tuesdays in the summer and lured us in. We picked out six nice-looking ears of Peaches and Cream corn to take back to Gracey (fifth-wheel). We picked up a few ripe tomatoes as well.

For our one night out, Helen and I drove to the other end of the Island to Coronado Brewing Company for dinner and a sampling from their large selection of craft beer. We like to sit at the bar in pubs like this one and chat with the locals. We met a young man named Ben who peppered us with questions about the RV lifestyle. His parents were newly retired and needed something to fill their time besides golf. We gave him our best. We also met a fellow named Bill, a regular customer and a Coronado native. He described Coronado as “Mayberry for the wealthy.” It’s an apt description. Coronado is clean, quaint, and charming.

During our time in Coronado, the Navy moved a large ship into North Island Naval Air Station to serve as a grandstand and broadcast booth for a NASCAR race being held over Father’s Day weekend. I wished we had tickets, but this small island was filling up fast with cars, 18-wheelers, and people. I’ll have to watch it on television.

Speaking of watching…Every evening, the sky over Coronado would put on a stunning display of color during the twilight hours. I had to share.

Our campsite was perfectly positioned to view the San Diego skyline at night. I waited six nights for the winds to die down enough to capture a bit of skyline reflection on the water. (picture below). I didn’t have that opportunity again; the water was always too choppy.

It’s time for my nap, and I feel certain I have lulled you to sleep as well, so I’m going to sign off.

We will be in Seal Beach, CA, next to watch our grandson play volleyball. I’m excited, and we’re Easin’ Along.

We left Tucson with the idea that it was the hottest place in the country…We are incorrect. Apache Junction, AZ, is hotter. Helen, Mortimer, and I scheduled six nights in Lost Dutchman State Park; we made four of them before we waved the flag and moved on. Daytime temperatures hovered around 105°, making it almost impossible to hike or participate in outdoor activities as we had done on previous visits here.

Nevertheless, I can’t complain too much. Lost Dutchman is surrounded by beautiful desert scenery and the picturesque Superstition Mountains, both offering plenty of opportunities for the amateur photographer that I am. Our campsite gave us a front row view of desert splendor at the base of the Superstitions.

In addition to the daytime view, we witnessed some spectacular sunsets both in Apache Junction and at our next stop in El Centro, CA. Amazing is not an apt description.

It’s probably not necessary to say we spent a lot of time in our camper. Helen worked on her puzzle (not a great picture), while I read some and watched a lot of sports. When we did get out, we went early. Helen captured a blooming Saguaro Cactus with a cute bird perched on its needles, along with desert vegetation growing from the rocks. The Superstitions always loomed large and were hard to ignore.

I hope readers enjoy the pictures because that’s about all for this stop. I would love to return here at some point…in the spring.

Relief is coming soon! After El Centro, we have 10 days in beautiful (and cool) Coronado, CA. Our pace will quicken, but we’re still Easin’ Along.

Helen, Mortimer, and I drove out of White Sands, NM, looking forward to our next home on the road less traveled. This would be our first opportunity on this trip to spend more than three nights in one location. In addition, we would spend seven nights at the Voyager RV Resort in Tucson, AZ, for some real “glamping.”

We have stayed here a couple of times previously, usually in a pull-through site in the middle of the resort. This time, however, we were escorted to one of two campsites located in one of the neighborhoods containing homes for permanent residents and part-time “snowbirds.” We were a little concerned at first, thinking we would prefer a pull-through site, but we soon learned how convenient our new home proved to be. We were across the street from the swimming pool, the pickleball courts, showers, and the laundry room. We were set up for a great week! Even grumpy ol’ Mortimer approved!

Campsite 01-243 was a tight one to back into while avoiding a huge Palm. It required several attempts, but I eventually got straightened out, and we settled in. For our first night in Tucson, we enjoyed a meal of Costco footlong hot dogs—a fave of mine!

Helen planned to join the pickleballers on the first morning, but arrived on the courts just as everyone was leaving. She soon learned that pickleball matches begin around 7 a.m and end at 9 a.m when the temperatures approach 90° and continue rising. We experienced temperatures above 100° while there. Helen played pickleball the next morning and for several days thereafter, making new friends in the process.

Adjacent to the pickleball courts was the swimming pool and aquatics area. I wanted a break from the heat, so I walked to the pool. A spirited game of water volleyball was underway in the exercise pool. I was not noticed. The pool felt great, but the sun felt fierce on the delicate skin of this Southern Snowflake. I covered up when lounging. The pool became my daily activity.

Helen’s new pickleball friends insisted that she join them for an aquarobics class one afternoon. She suited up, donned her cap, and hopped right in. According to Helen, Janice, the class instructor, was a pro. She brought music and a long list of exercises, which she led without a break. I walked over to see what was going on and made it in time to capture the action. I received a robust welcome.

During our stay, a Blue Moon came over the resort, and I did my best to record it. Below are photographs of our street in daylight and one of it during the Blue Moon. We only get these once in a Blue Moon (chuckle).

In addition to the Blue Moon, the Tucson sky offered up some awesome sunsets for our viewing pleasure. The second one shown here was taken on our last night, and I did not spend one second editing it. What you see is what I shot.

We really enjoyed our time at the Voyager Resort. We left relaxed and ready for another adventure. Next stop—Lost Dutchman State Park in Apache Junction, AZ. It holds beautiful surroundings, so please join us. We’re Easin’ Along.