I fell in love with Tucson when I visited last year, but my time was limited. I was on my own version of the Amazing Race to make it to Oregon in time for the spring Skinnie Winnie Rally, so I limited myself to three nights in both parks; Catalina and Gilbert Ray. I loved both of them equally for their different surroundings, so this year, I vowed to return and stay until I felt like I’d had my fill. Continue reading
After the two Park Rangers in Saguaro National Park West recommended I split my time in Tucson to include Catalina State Park, I figured I had to cut my time short at Gilbert Ray so as not to miss it. One even went to far to say that Gilbert Ray had been his favorite campground…”until I saw Catalina.” So my expectations had been set pretty high.
Imagine my shock when I arrived at the Catalina front gate and went inside to register. I asked the elderly, somewhat cranky volunteer behind the desk if he had a map of the east side of the park. His answer was Continue reading
Since I had to come into town to finish up my taxes, I figured I may as well explore the other side of Tucson. Two different Park Rangers at Saguaro National Park (West,) as well as my friend Lynne suggested I split my time in Tucson between Gilbert Ray and Catalina State Park to the north, since both areas were so vastly different in scenery, ambiance, and accessibility to “infrastructure.” So I hitched up the Winnie and reluctantly pulled out of Gilbert Ray, saying goodbye to my statuesque, silent saguaro friends, vowing, “I’LL BE BAAACK!!!” Continue reading