We could visit Boothill Graveyard in Tombstone

February 26, 2016July 2, 2022 / Roadtirementvintage / Leave a comment

After being disappointed with the town of Tombstone (see article here) I decided to see if we could park at the lot next to the Boothill Graveyard. Boothill is now on the National Register of Historic places. According to a plaque the graveyard was restored by Tombstone residents in the 1920’s.

The final resting place of some of Tombstone’s most colorful people is well maintained now. All of the graves look pretty much the same: a pile of rocks and simple wood markers. A few graves have fencing. The entrance to the graveyard is through a souvenir shop. They request a $3 “donation” for a flyer with the grave locations marked.

This was an interesting attraction. The graveyard is portrayed as being authentic, however you have to wonder about the spacing of the graves. The spacing is almost too perfect. The sayings on some of the graves are pretty humorous.

We were able to park in the lot, however any rig over 25′ will not be able to park here. I was able to find a spot and back in ok.

Tombstone: Too tough to die but hard to visit in an RV

February 25, 2016July 2, 2022 / Roadtirementvintage / 1 Comment

Main street blocked off

Sher and I had planned on a visit to the ‘historic’ town of Tombstone since we were in Tucson. We decided to drive there on our way back east.

Well, we were disappointed. There was literally no parking available anywhere close to the main street. Signage directed us to an RV and trailer parking lot that was at the bottom of a very steep hill. This was too steep of a climb. The main street was blocked off to traffic so we could not get a chance to even drive by ‘the sights’.

All of the sites either charged admission or were simply a place to spend your money, either food, drinks, or merchandise. The famed OK Corral was actually walled in with bleachers for the audience. Again admission charged. The town we felt has morphed into a tourist trap.

The antique store

We did find some street parking (free) across from an antique store a few blocks away from the main street area. It had some interesting things that were priced pretty high, as you would expect.

Perhaps on an off day you can find parking. However with any RV or trailer combo of any length parking will be a problem unless you park in the lower level at the bottom of the hill. Tombstone may be fun for some, but for us the lack of close parking and the commercialism just turned us off.

Talk about embarrassed…

February 25, 2016July 2, 2022 / Roadtirementvintage / Leave a comment

It was time to head to Arizona for some warm weather. Sher and I hit the road a few days before New Year’s Day. Fast forward a couple of days and we stopped at a casino in Mississippi south of Memphis.

As the weather was above freezing it was time to “de-winterize” the RV. You know the drill: put some water in the fresh water tank and run the water through until all that pink anti-freeze is flushed out of the lines.

I turned the hot water heater on but we could only get a bit of luke warm water. Rats! That’s all we needed, a problem with the hot water heater. Electric or LP neither provided anything but lukewarm at best water temperature.

By the time we got to Tucson Sher and I were both getting a little tired of luke warm water. A couple of days after we settled in at the Whispering Palms RV Park we went to an RV service center to see about the hot water heater. The service manager opened the access door on the outside. He then came inside and took the access panel off revealing the lines and valves.

He looked up at me and then glanced at Sher with a big grin on his face. He then reached down and opened the valve that allows the hot water to flow. Yep, I had the valve closed. He was polite and did not laugh out loud. Sher, however, did. I deserved it.

At least I could wash the egg off my face with hot water.

Whispering Palms RV Park is a gem in Tucson

January 18, 2016July 2, 2022 / Roadtirementvintage / Leave a comment

Every once in while Sher and I find what we consider an exceptional RV park. We have found one such park here in Tucson. We normally stay at most for two or three nights, however we are enjoying Tucson and the weather! We have decided to spend a month at the Whispering Palms RV Park on the north side of town. The park is minutes from downtown and close to I-10 for easy access in either direction.

Whispering Palms has 81 spaces deep enough for big rigs. All of the spaces are back ins, however they are a full 20′ wide for easy placement of your rig. Pull through may be an option depending on occupancy of adjacent sites. The sites are all level on gravel. Of course there are full hook ups at each site. Long term stays may have cable TV and internet service from a local cable company. The electric service panels have been updated with 20/30/50 plugs at each spot.

Cactus and grapefruit

This park has been under new ownership for a couple of years. The new owners have spent a lot on upgrades including newly remodeled restrooms with showers and several large commercial washers and dryers in the laundry room. In addition there is a new swimming pool and covered picnic area.

The onsite manager is most enjoyable to interact with. Anna was here when the new owners took over and has been insturmental in making this one of the nicest parks you will ever find. The grounds are immaculate and the landscaping is just enough to add to the south west feel of the area.

This has become one of the most sought after RV parks in the Tucson area. Tucson has many special events like the Gem and Mineral Shows with thousands of people coming to town. Make sure you call ahead or go to the park website and make reservations as soon as you as you know your travel plans. Whispering Palms is a member park of Passport America, Good Sam and Enjoy America. Be sure to mention these when you call to check the availablity of these potential discounts.

If you are looking for a resort style place with a big clubhouse, shuffleboard tournaments or bingo then this is not the RV Park for you. But, if you want a clean, safe, friendy and affordable place to stop for a night, week or long term in Tucson then Whispering Palms is the place for you.

Extra wide and deep sites

Newly refurbished pool

New picnic shelter, pool in background

Mission San Xavier del Bac, the White Dove of the Desert

January 14, 2016September 24, 2022 / Roadtirementvintage / 3 Comments

About 10 miles south of Tucson, Arizona you will find the “White Dove of the Desert” also known as the Mission San Xavier del Bac. This magnificent Spanish mission was completed in 1797. The first Spanish missionary, Father Eusebio Kino, arrived at the site in 1692. Throughout the years the location has been part of New Spain, Mexico, and finally a part of the U.S. after the Gadsen Purchase of 1854.

When you enter the church you cannot help but be amazed by the incredible amount of 18th century statuary and murals. The impact varies for everyone who walks the interior of this powerfully spiritual place. Candles are always lit and displayed. A shrine to St Francis is a prominent feature and one of solemn devotion.

Mission San Xavier del Bac

The edifice is still a functioning Catholic Church that primarily serves the Tohono O’odham tribe, formerly known as the Papago. There is a museum the shows the history of the church however it ws under construction during our visit so we missed much of the displays. There is also a gift shop.

Being one of the most popular tourist stops in Tucson, we were fortunate to visit when there were very few people there. It was almost as if we had the place to ourselves. This is a site that is filled with history as well as a sacred place for contemplation, meditation and prayer. Do not miss a chance to visit San Xavier. You will be moved.

The San Xavier website is packed with information for your visit planning assistance.

Prayer chapel and garden

Old Tucson movie locations and Old West fun

January 10, 2016July 2, 2022 / Roadtirementvintage / 1 Comment

Old Tucson

Old Tucson is a fascinating attraction west of the city of Tucson, Arizona. The property was first developed in 1939 when Hollywood movie studio Columbia Pictures wanted a suitable location for a western feature film. Over the years over 300 film and television shows have been filmed there. John Wayne filmed four times there including “Rio Lobo”. Several well known western themed TV series were produced at Old Tucson.

While there are still films made there as well as TV ads and music videos the primary use is a neat and fun tourist attraction. The buildings look like they came right out of the movies. Fancy that. Once you get in the grounds there are activities shows and events every half-hour. See a rousing musical show featuring real dance hall girls. The highlight for us was the live actor short shows including a demonstration of stunts used in the movies. The actors were terrific, had a great sense of humor and interacted with the crowd to the delight of all.

We spent about four hours at the Old Tucson movie studio. The weather was rather chilly and the crowds were not at all large. A great day to visit, althogh another 10 degrees or so would have made the day perfect.

Go see Old Tucson movie sets and theme park when you travel through Tucson. Tickets are a little pricey but they do offer senior discounts with ID shown. Here is the Old Tucson website.

Another movie ready building

Cowboy actors at Old Tucson

Indiana’s huge covered bridge festival

October 12, 2015July 2, 2022 / Roadtirementvintage / Leave a comment

Large crowds looking for that elusive bargain!

Each October Parke County, Indiana is the scene of the annual Covered Bridge Festival. This event sees close to two million people converging on the area for a ten day festival. While there are several beautiful vintage covered bridges scattered throughout the county, most folks come for the shopping.

And shopping there is! There are several small communities that become filled with vendor tents, food concession trailers and outdoor ‘yard sale’ type setups. It is true to state that if you can think of it it can be found for sale somewhere amongst the thousands of different vendors set up.

That’s our RV on the right in the background, set up at the old school campground at Bridgeton Indiana

We have set up camp in the little town of Bridgeton at an old (1920’s) school building grounds. There are several vendors set up on the grounds along with some food concession trailers. A few blocks north of our location there are hundreds of inside and outside vendors set up selling their wares. There are hand made crafts, new merchandise, antiques large and small and tons of “re-purposed” items. It is amazing how many ways an old wood pallet can be reused!

One of the hundreds of vendor displays at Bridgeton

The Parke County Covered Bridge Festival should be on your bucket list. It is one of the largest festivals of its kind in the country. People from all over the country come to shop, as well as come to set up their booths and tents to sell. There are plenty of RV campgrounds nearby and many private land owners open their yards and fields for RVs to camp during the festival.

We had a generator problem

October 5, 2015July 2, 2022 / Roadtirementvintage / 6 Comments

Cummings Crosspoint technician checking our Onan generator

Recently Sher and I set up at a large two day festival in Atlanta, Indiana. During our first night our generator coughed a couple of times and then stopped runnning. There was plenty of gasoline, and repeated tries resulted in the strong odor of gas. Sure sounded like the engine was flooded.

Since the generator is still under warranty the Indianapolis (Greenwood) Camping World refered me to the Cummins Crosspoint Service Center in downtown Indy. The CW techs are not certified to do Onan warranty work.

The Cummins Crosspoint service center was very helpful. Once I explained that we are full time RV the staff really went out their way to help and arranged for us to take our RV in for a look see and diagnosis that day..

It turned out that there was a problem with one small part the helps hold a valve spring in place. New parts are ordered. We will just have to do without the genny until they come in.

Shipshewana, Indiana in the heart of Amish country

October 2, 2015July 2, 2022 / Roadtirementvintage / 2 Comments

This display in front of an antique store aptly describes the Shipshewana area

Shipshewana, Indiana is a tiny community in LaGrange County in the northeast corner of the state. The rural area is one of the largest communities of Amish families in the Midwest. The main roads all have extra wide shoulders to allow for safe travel for the horse drawn buggies and wagons.

The area is known for its many tourist attractions, including a huge flea market that is open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. In addition, there are many small shops in the town featuring hand made crafts, country decor items and antiques. As you might expect, you can take a horse drawn carriage ride or even enjoy a home made meal at one of the Amish homes who open there doors to visitors.

There are several nice RV parks in the area. All are reasonably priced. There is an RV park that is part of the flea market grounds. Enjoy a level, full hook up site that is just steps away from the market.

Restaurant, bakery and theater all in one!

Shipshewana is truly a must see stop for anyone traveling in northern Indiana. Note that several RV companies have their assembly plants in this area. Couple a trip to see RV’s being built with an enjoyable and interesting trip to Shipshewana Amish country and you will have a trip to remember.

Lots of interesting shops to visit.

Our second mattress from MattressInsider.com

July 1, 2015July 2, 2022 / Roadtirementvintage / 2 Comments

We went back to MattressInsider.com when we wanted to replace the mattress that came with our Thor Four Winds 22E motorhome. This Class C motorhome was the replacement for the travel trailer that we had when we hit the road last summer. The mattress we bought from MattressInsider for the travel trailer did not fit in our new Thor. As is normally the case, the mattress that came with the RV was, ah, not the best. Even though it was called an RV Premium mattress it did not take too long for it to break down and become nothing more than a source of bad night’s sleep and backaches.

Our new mattress in place and ready!

So back to MattressInsider. Once again the folks there were great to work with. This time I needed a custom made mattress to fit the shape of our bed: the corner of it was “cut off” to make room for the bathroom door to open. Simple to draw a sketch with the dimensions and email it to the MattressInsider staff.

Once agan we ordered an 8″ thick coil spring mattress. (See our original review of our first mattress here.) The additional cost for the custom design was only $20 for the one we ordered. This was a nice surprise as I expected a higher cost for a custom made mattress.

innerspring-coil-rv-mattress-park-meadow-sml

This is the style mattress that we purchased

The sales staff once again did a great job with our order. I sent in the sketch with the dimensions of the mattress I needed, firmed up the order and our mattress arrived in about ten days. Great service! The mattress was rolled up into a box about the size of a thirty gallon barrel that weighed in at 68 lbs. (Shipping was free by the way.) We simply unpacked the mattress, let it unroll and let it do its expanding thing for about three hours. Then it was ready for use.

Let me tell you, these coil spring mattresses are great to sleep on! Back aches are gone and Sher and I both are getting a great night’s sleep. Need a new mattress for your RV? Browse the Mattress Insider website and/or call them at 1-888-488-1468 and talk with them. You will not be disappointed with what you hear.