2011 Trip across the US
2012 Trip across the US
2014 Trip across the US
2015 Trip to Alaska
2015-16 Southwest Trip
2016 New England Trip
2016 - 17 Southwest Trip
2017 - 18 Trip to Pick Up a New Escape 21 Trailer & More
2018 - 19 Trip to Winnipeg & the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta
2019 - 20 Trip to the Southwest
2021 - 22 Trip to the Southwest
2022 - 23 Trip to the Southwest (A short trip)
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Thursday, November 16, 2023 - Gilbert Ray County Campground, Tucson, AZ- 117.4 Miles, 3,060.5 Miles for the trip
I took my time getting out of the park, even dumped the tanks. I used site 19 since the sewer hookup was almost full hose length from the trailer & the one in Site 20 was much closer. I was on the road by 10:00, and arrived at Gilbert Ray by 12:45.
While I didn't need the rest stop, I stopped to take a couple of photos at the Texas Canyon rest stop. Interesting rocks. There is an expensive dry campground in the area that I've looked at, but never stayed. I have visited the Amerind Museum in the area.
Texas Canyon, AZ | Panorama (Large Version 5.3MB) |
Check in went smoothly, unusual for me at this campground. I also discovered that section A, my favorite is taking reservations starting today. Unfortunately, they won't let me switch from my reserved site C8 to one in the A section for this trip - reservations are not refundable. The section was closed for electrical updates when I made my reservations for both this trip & the trip home from Parker in the Spring. The volunteer working the desk suggested that I try to make a reservation for the Spring, so after I was set up I checked, and I'm now in A 63 February 20 - 25th. I called Desert Trails & canceled my reservation there. Since Gilbert Ray raised their price from $20.00 to $35.00 with the electrical upgrade, the price difference between the two parks is not all that much ($45.00 per night at Desert Trails), which is about 5 miles from Gilbert Ray, but Gilbert Ray is much nicer.
After setting up I turned on the AC (it was 85°F in the trailer) then headed to Camping World for my water pump, Walgreens for a bunch of prescriptions, and Batteries + for a couple of CR 2477 batteries for my Sensor Push thermometers. I don't know if it is just the battery or the device that is dying, but I'm getting the message that "the battery voltage is low - please replace" so I'll try that first.
An Escape 19 pulled in across from me. It is a 2023 being towed with a 3.0L Ram Diesel. He gets 17MPG, much better than my current trip average of 13.07MPG. We chatted for a bit, then I let him finish setting up & came back to the trailer to put today's journal page together.
I'm in site C8, a back in gravel site with electric only and a picnic table. Not all that level, but with a bit of maneuvering, I was able to get within 1" side to side & a 2" drop to the tongue. Since I'm here for 5 days, and had the mentioned shopping to do, I had to unhook anyway. $20.00 per night. The bathrooms are .15 of a mile from the site and don't have showers. I did half fill the fresh water tank on the way in so I can shower in the trailer, although there is a water spigot within my two hose lengths that I could have used to fill.
Site C8 | The Escape 19 (Not the Owners in the Picture) |
It was cloudy when I set up; now there are dark clouds to the west and rumbles of thunder.
Dinner was a cheese brat & salad.
Until Tomorrow -
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Last Update:
November 17, 2023