G.A.S.P.

The following day (12-15) was a long ride to Tucson.  Overall it was about 70 miles, but the first 50 miles were all against the wind and I averaged only about 8 mph.  I found out later that I was also going uphill all of the way, but it was so gradual I couldn’t really see it.  Phoenix is at an elevation of 1092’, and Tucson is at 2389’.  The ride, however, was through beautiful desert countryside, just chock full of cactus, mesquite trees, creosote bushes and other vegetation, and surrounded by mountains. Every few miles, there was a “wash,” a streambed that is dry except right after a hard rain. 

Despite the wind, I got to Tucson well before dark, and set up camp at the Whispering Pines RV Park, where I’ll stay for three nights, then leave my stuff when I go home for Christmas.  At Whispering Pines, “tenters” get to sleep in the owner’s front yard.  It’s the only part of the RV Park that has grass, and is generally used as a picnic area by the campers.  The lady who checked me in must have said a half-dozen times that she needed to turn off the sprinklers.  I sure hope she did.