Day 29 - Tucson, AZ (Day 1)

7:30am (MST) update ... it's raining gently.  Here's hoping it holds off until we get connected and on the road.  Parts of I-17 were flooded in Phoenix yesterday.  That's along our route to Tucson.

6:15pm (MST) update ... we're in Tucson.  It's sunny and warm here.  Here's how the day went.

Leaving Flagstaff:
It was misting when Dick started to connect the trailer.  It stopped fairly soon.

We've been at altitude for while and it's been cool.  Dick checked and found the trailer tire pressures were low. He got to use his new Kobalt Tire Inflator.  It worked great!

It took about 5 minutes per tire
to get the pressures right

We had a sunny morning when we pulled out at 9:15.

The Route:
The 279 mile trip followed I-17 south from Flagstaff to Phoenix and I-10 southeast from Phoenix to Tucson.

Observations:
The terrain from Flagstaff to Phoenix was dramatically different than that south of Phoenix.  In addition to lots of mountains and greenery, we encountered a number of severe rain squalls on the way to Phoenix.

I-17 south from Flagstaff to Phoenix

We drove into clouds and severe squalls

The saguaro appeared as we approached Phoenix

Rock Springs, AZ:
We came upon a treat about 45 miles north of Phoenix ... we stopped at Rock Springs for lunch.  Rock Springs Cafe is known for its pies.  The cafe was packed and had a waiting line while we were there.  Our lunches were delicious and reasonably priced.  Our pies (cherry crumb and rhubarb crumb) were some of the best we've ever had.

Dick is ready for lunch

The dining room was full

They had a huge display of pies

Rock Springs is basically a gas stop and a cafe.  The buildings and grounds are nicely decorated

Gas station rest rooms

Gas station wall

Kokopelli brightens the grounds

Approaching Tucson:
The terrain changed dramatically when we passed Phoenix.  We went from mountainous to really flat.

I-10 between Phoenix and Tucson

This dust devil stirred up a lot of it

There were mountains, but
we didn't have to drive over them

The Campground:
We're camped at Rincon Country East RV Resort.  It's a huge resort with lots of amenities and we got here at the right time ... the "snowbirds" haven't arrived yet.  It's quiet and there are very few campers.

Site #46

The surroundings are pretty