Over the last four years our RV life has focused on the western part of North America. The southwest, located between LAX and Denver, held many different ways to traverse the landscape with interesting places to visit no matter which way you turned. But, it is time to move to other parts of the country, and other airport/RV storage opportunities to consider, so this season journey to the Southwest was our last. Were there any roads not travelled? Any icons yet on the bucket list? We spent 6 weeks travelling in the NEW 5th wheel, between Grand Lake and Tucson, and another 6 weeks in Tucson at a 55+ RV park living the snowbird life.
Moving in a not-so-straight line we saw the Chaco Canyon and Canyon DeChelly. The ancient homes of the Navajo people reminded us as the Machu Picchu of the United States. A sacred space, yet you can see the human ingenuity and strength tested with the weather, the arid landscape and the customs of the day. If only the walls could talk.
We wandered through Monument Valley and saw the Colorado Plateau the way you imagine it in pictures. John Wayne and John Ford got it right, we were in awe of the vast sandstone buttes rising above the valley floor. We were thankful for our 4wd truck — back roads, river gullies and memorable sunsets were available to us.
We found our way back to Lake Powell; the kayaks took us as far up Antelope Canyon as it would go. Some places were so narrow you could touch both canyon walls at the same time. It was heaven to leave the powerboats behind and go to a place where you had to earn the view. It was magical.
A highlight was hiking the Narrows in Zion National Park. This is a hike we have been wanting to do and is only accessible when the water is at an acceptable level, such as in the Fall.
We spent a week in Las Vegas; at donation centers and seeing awesome shows. Here we met up with David’s niece who happen to be visiting Las Vegas the same time.
Off to Lake Havasu – more kayaking on the large reservoir and some water trails in the region. Wearing shorts in November was perfect, the Lake Havasu region is the perfect combination of warm weather, wonderful scenery and a community large enough to have all the services you require. Where else can you kayak from Arizona to California?
Finally, we settled in Tucson for 6 weeks, our first venture into 55+ RV living. It is like summer camp for adults. A schedule of events that begins at 7 am and goes throughout the day. You can find any type of music lesson, craft lesson, craft group, sports competition, card games, and exercise class. But the best group of all was the back yard group. Several RVers who “back into a common space” use that common space for a nightly happy hour. A place to share how everyone’s day went. Repeat snow birders from all over North America, these folks have known each other for years. They were the most welcoming group I have ever met, and confirm what I always knew about the RV community. I suspect we will keep in touch with them and see some again over the next year.
