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Discover Tucson: Your Guide to Warm Winter Getaways

February 20, 2026 by msminnie72, posted in California

Where do these “snow birds” go after the holidays to warm up? Where the Saguaro are abundant and the sunsets are breathtaking. I’m talking Tucson, AZ, but it could be anywhere in southern AZ. We like to stay in the Sonoran Desert at Desert Trails RV Park. This is a 40 plus community park with planned activities if your interested, or you can hike or bike from the park with over 120 miles of trails. The best part is that it is a quiet park with no noise pollution from planes, trains or freeways. It also has no light pollution, so you can survey the stars to your heart’s content. The park has 225 full hook-up sites and you truly can meet the friendliest people. The park started as a waterpark in the 1970’s and was converted to an RV park in 2007.

This photo is taken at the top of the hill overseeing the park. This is the best place to watch the sunsets as well.

The park is great for bird watchers as well. The park attracts well over 50 varieties of birds.

While in Tucson

Tucson is a large city with so much to do. From hiking, biking, wine tasting or just site seeing, there’s plenty to keep you busy.

We love to visit National Parks and there is a big one right in Tucson: Saguaro National Park. This park is the home to the nations largest cacti: the Saguaro. There are 2 sections, east and west of Tucson. There’s a quite a few hiking trails to see the park.

What’s the difference between a barrel and a saguaro? The barrel has fishhooks spikes.

The East side of Saguaro National Park

With most places, I like to begin at the visitor center to get the lay of the land. I’ve found that the rangers have a wealth of information and offer useful maps of the park as well. The visitor center also offers restrooms and a giftshop. If you have about 15 minutes, I would highly recommend the short film, “Voices of the Desert,” and walking around the small museum. This is also the beginning of the 8 mile Cactus Forest Loop Drive.

This was from our first year here, when we had our dog Jessie. We sure miss him on our adventures!

Inside the museum, you learn a lot about the different species of cactus.

This saguaro is only about 30 years old at roughly 5 feet.

I’m pretty sure this is the only way I am going to see a Javalina. We have been looking out for one for 4 years and have not spotted one in the wild yet.

This is as close as I want to get to a mountain lion.

Still waiting to see a black bear in the wild.

The is Javelina Rocks overlook along the Loop Drive. We climbed to the top to enjoyed the view.

The West side

Along the Bajada Loop Drive I did a short hike Signal Hill Trail because it was the best place to see petroglyphs and the view of the desert meeting the city.

So if you’re a hiker, the East side is better. I would say if you’re short on time, the west side is for you. If you’re a southwestern lover of a cactus, either park will work for you. If you’re interested in seeing the desert come to life with blooms, May is probably the best time to see that, but beware of the heat at that time of year.

History Lesson of Missions of Tucson

Everyone knows about the California mission trail, right? NO? Is that just taught in California 4th grade classes? Probably. But did you know that Arizona has missions also? I did not either. So here is the thing, from 1682-1821, the Spanish established more than two dozen missions and presidios in Southern Arizona and northern Sonora, Mexico. These were built BEFORE the California missions that were established between 1761-1823. When we were visiting, we were not able to go inside due to renovations going on but if you’re in the area, check out their website to organize a visit.https://sanxaviermission.org/

This is San Xavier in Tucson, Arizona’s oldest European structure, completed in 1797. The is still a functioning mission with church services every Saturday at 10 AM and noon as well as 5:15 on Sunday evenings. They have a school for children k-3rd grades with plans to extend up to 8th grade.

Behind the mission, you can take a short little hike around a hill and get a great view from the top of the hill.

Old Tucson

If you are interested in stepping back in time and interacting with the times of the past, Old Tucson is the place to visit. Its a historic 1939 movie studio and western- themed park. The park was built in 1939 for the 1940 film Arizona. It has been a movie studio for over 500 production including some famous one including Rio Bravo with John Wayne, Tombstone with Kurt Russel as well as the TV show, Little House on the Prairie with Michael Landon. It has gone through some challenging times over recent years. There was a major fire that destroyed 40% of the studio lot on April 24, 1995 destroying sound stages as well as memorabilia. The park was shut down in 2020 like everything else due to the COVID pandemic. The park reopened in October 2022 and has been slowly trying to get traction as a tourist destination. When we visited last year, we saw stunts shows and shootouts. Andrew even got to participate in a show. Tickets are a bit steep at $40 per person, but where else can you get such entertainment?

See the pretty blonde in the middle? That would be Andrew.

The Turquoise Trail

This was our introduction to Tucson, AZ. We first stopped at the visitor center in downtown and got a map of the city, restaurant suggestions, and a recommendation for a walking trail. We were told about the Turquoise Trail that is a 2.5 mile walking loop around the city. It is marked with a bright turquoise line on the sidewalk. You can download the trail on your phone to get more information for a small fee. It highlights several historical sites that start with the historical Presidio Museum. The museum is a recreated Spanish fort built in 1775. The highlight was the pit house for me because I read about them, but you have to see one to understand it; it is different.

Along our trail we ventured to the Historic Tucson courthouse that was built in 1929. It has remained an active courthouse. It has seen many prominent cases as well as been visited by Hollywood.

The turquoise dome is a prominent feature and one of the most recognized structures in the region including the official Pima County Logo.

The courthouse made headlines in 1934 when the Dillinger Gang was captured in Tucson. Actor Clark Gable was found quilty in this courthouse in 1954 for negligence and crashing his car into another. In 1991 Johnny Depp pleaded guilty to speeding in the courtroom.

We found an authentic Mexican restaurant along our turquoise route at about the half way point called El Minuto Cafe. This has become a favorite restaurant of ours.

University of Arizona

If you have been following us for a bit, you know that we always find ourselves on college campuses. This time we came to the University of Arizona because my husband was a huge fan of Lute Olson and wanted to see where the legend coached.

We saw this little guy trying to make a delivery on campus.

So whether you have a day, a week, or several months, Tucson has a lot to offer for everyone. There is so much history in this town and a lot of murals around town to see. I highly recommend a visit and each year we come back with the “snow birds” to stay for a bit. I hope you enjoyed our journey to Tucson, AZ. Please hit the like and subscribe button to travel around the country with us.

From Laughlin, NV to Gila Bend, AZ.

January 29, 2024 by msminnie72, posted in Arizona

Hello, we are the Scherf’s, we travel around the country (the western United States so far) in our Keystone Cougar 2100 RK to see and learn about our great country. Check out our story of how we got here https://thescherfswanderingwheels.com/the-beginning/. We would love for you to join us on our travels. Who doesn’t love a good road trip? With 237 miles and 2 visits come with us as we journey through some of Arizona.

Parker, Arizona

Upon leaving Laughlin Nevada, we traveled south on 95 with no destination in mind. We crossed the boarder into the small town of Parker, Arizona which sits on the Colorado River. We drove through the small town with a population of roughly 3,400. Before entering the town we drove under these really cool railroad bridges.

If you like the heat, this is a great place to visit in the summer time. With the average highs between 100-110 it seems to be a great place to go boating on the river. Next time we would like to stop and learn about the history of the city and the historical properties. I would love to hear if it’s worth the stop.

Bouse, Arizona

After leaving Parker, we found ourselves on Arizona state route 72. We stopped for a break in an even smaller town called Bouse which rhymes with house. It was founded in 1908 as a mining camp. There wasn’t much to see but we did stop at a large rest stop that allowed us to open our slide to go inside and have lunch. During the weekends, this is where the town’s farmers market takes place. There’s also a lot of neat old mining and farming equipment to see.

Gila Bend

This is our second time in Gila Bend. Both times we’ve stayed at Sonoran Desert RV Park https://www.sonorandesertrvpark.com/. This is truly a snowbird location (a person who migrates from the colder northern parts of North America to warmer southern locales, typically during the winter.) Each time we have stayed for 2 nights and have really enjoyed the sunsets which are spectacular.

While we were here in Oct. it was still pretty hot, and we were given a heads-up to keep an eye out for rattlesnakes! The staff takes these things very seriously, and we were told these creatures slither around at night looking for the perfect winter hibernation spot. We didn’t stay outside to much for fear of finding a slithering friend. Although the office told us to call if we did see one because they have two snake wranglers on site. Now that’s an “amenity” we’ve never had before at an RV park!

Sites are quite big and deep for a back in. You have a lot of space from your neighbors as well.

Our dog Jessie loved the dog park both times we were here, although in October the grassy area was closed due to poisonous toads in the grass.

This is the clubhouse where they have planned activities during the winter months. There is a library and puzzle table too. Large rolling doors take you to an outdoor patio just off the kitchen. You will also find a very nice and reasonably priced laundry facilities at the end of the clubhouse.

If you are into Pickleball, this park has you covered there too. That’s next on our hitlist to learn how to play, and given that our kids gave us a set for Christmas, we have extra motivation to learn the game.

A few other neat amenities at the park are a car wash station, a pet wash station, and a nice little putting green, along with a heated pool.

If you want to get out of the RV park I suggest you visit https://www.visitgilabend.org/

For $65 a night this place has a lot to offer and we will definitely be back when we are heading to Phoenix Arizona. Word to the wise, do your grocery shopping before you get here. Gila Bend doesn’t really have any grocery stores to speak of.

Click the subscribe button in the lower right corner to stay updated on where our wheels turn next! Spoiler alert – we’re back in California for a bit! Get to know Morgan Hill with us!

Laughlin Nevada

January 11, 2024February 18, 2025 by msminnie72, posted in Laughlin, Nevada

So my husband and I wanted to get out of town. Due to the weather, we thought it best to head east from California without a plan. In Barstow we really had to decide which direction to head. We had never been to Laughlin and now seemed to be as good as time as any. I’ve always heard that Laughlin is little Vegas. We stayed at KOA Laughlin Nevada. https://koa.com/campgrounds/laughlin/ It is right across the street from Avi Casino and Resort. With our KOA membership we stayed here for $35 a night which we think it is a steal! This is one of those places that you can stay and enjoy what the resort has to offer, such as Vegas-style casino with slot machines ,table games and a sports book. If you’re into dining, the resort has many restaurants to choose from. In the summer months you can lay by the pool or private beach, bring your boat and launch it at the resort. If golf is your thing, the resort has an 18 hole course as well. There is even a place for kids at Kids Quest which is a drop off event for children 6 weeks to 12 years old for an additional fee. The KOA is a 2022 presidents award winner. There is also shuttle service to the casino and resort.

The driveway into the campground with over 200 sites. Each site has 30/50 amps and they all have full hook ups. They also have 10 handicap sites.

Some sites have a view of the golf course. All sites are on gravel/sand.

For those with fur babies, they have 2 small pens here for your dog to do their business. There is a bench outside to sit and watch your dog do their thing.

In the cooler months, this would be a nice place to have a group gathering. There are horseshoe pits here as well as a place for the kids to play.

What to do in the area?

When I was here this past summer passing through town, my daughter and I were on a road trip. We heard of a town with donkeys in the road. Have you heard about this town? It’s called Oatman Az and it’s true that the donkeys are in the road! And even up in town. We decided to have lunch there and walk around. I don’t advise going in the summer months as we did. It was a sufferable 118 outside. They do have a daily old west shootout but due to the heat, we didn’t get to see one.

Oatman AZ

The food wasn’t the best but who goes there for the food?

Thousands of bills on the walls. God forbid there is ever a fire.

Our waitress was a wealth of information on the town and what to see along Route 66. Upstairs a small museum dedicated to Clark Gable and Carole Lombard can be found. The two big screen stars spent an enchanted honeymoon here in 1939.

My husband Andrew and I did the 20 min. drive into downtown Laughlin to check it out. The city is 90 miles south of Las Vegas, has some mega casinos, but not all the crowds. We are not much for gambling and our dog Jessie was with us so we stayed in the truck and cruised the town.

Laughlin NV

We only spent 2 days here and were kept inside due to wind and smoke. For the 3rd largest gambling city in the US, we would definitely come back. If you’re in the area and have limited time my choice is make the drive out to Oatman for the win! You won’t be disappointed!