Slept In, Perimeter Walk, Sierra Vista Shops, Kartchner Caverns

Huachuca City, AZ

On Tuesday, Dec. 3^rd, Bill and I slept in until 7 and so the start to our day was a bit later than usual. It was mild enough at 39F/4C so I dressed accordingly and walked the perimeter of the park. The back section of the park is the Long Term & Mobile Home Resort and that is where I walked today, covering every street, lane, ave. It was a nice walk and I actually caught some of the sunrise as I left our site. I walked by our friends’ ‘home’ as well before heading back towards our Suite.

Nice to catch the sunrise today

A puzzle on the go, I'll have to get in there to lend a hand

And in the clubhouse close to us, I remember
the large selection of books for exchange
in the corner

Back home, I had tea and Bill and I discussed what we were doing today. I texted Bob and Jo-Anne that we were going into Sierra Vista to a few places and asked if they wanted to join us. As it turned out, they wanted to drive on their own and scout things out as well. That works as we can then both go in the directions we need and meet back at camp. We all agreed to go to the Kartchner Caverns after lunch.

Friends we met 2 years ago were still here in their
Mobile Suite but had added a permanent covering
and many more decorations around their place

The park is fuller than we've ever seen

This long trailer and matching tow vehicle is still here too

Yay, bunny rabbits are here too!

Bill and I stopped at the CVS Pharmacy for cash but there was no Allpoints cash machine. We drove from there to Fry’s where we picked up a few groceries, not much, just a few items we were out of. There was a cash machine there  where Bill got cash out and it seems that we didn’t get charged to use it. That is a bonus and a total surprise as we were prepared to pay a fee. We saw our camp mates checking out as we walked in and heard later that Jo-Anne got her Fry’s points card. Instant discounts as well as cheap fuel.

Back clubhouse and pool room

Front clubhouse, the one near us

Next, was Ross’s department store. I love this store as you never know what you’ll find and their prices can be awesome. 

entering Sierra Vista

Kind of like a Winner’s back home, but better. Bill dropped me off and he drove across the street to Lowe’s for more Christmas lights. Hobby Lobby is in the same strip mall so we both ended up there. I found a few gifts for stockings and remembered to use my phone app and got 40% off my most expensive item. Yay!

One of my favourite clothing stores down here

Then home for a quick bite for lunch. We met Bob and Jo-Anne outside around 1:30 and Bob drove us the 10 miles to the caves. We didn’t make a reservation, although we could have, and paid the entrance fee to park at the State Park. Inside, we weren’t sure if we’d be able to get in on a tour and got lucky with the 4 last spaces available on the 1:45 tour. We left our sweaters, jackets, phones, cameras and purses in a locker as they were either not allowed or not needed.

It was 72F/23C and very humid inside the caves but we were prepared. I didn’t think I’d take my glasses off but within the first 5 minutes they steamed up so I tucked them away for the rest of the tour. Celebrity Jim, our trolley driver has over 23,000 volunteer hours at the park. 18 years on staff. They named a bridge after him so he has a stake now in the park. Nice! 

tools of the trade

Our tour guide, Rochelle, was very good and didn’t miss a beat. Throwing in humour and lots of information about the caves and how they came about, she kept us all enthralled.

I can't even imagine the hours put into this chore

And a nice gentleman obliged and took a picture for us

It was an hour and ¾ long tour, well worth the $23/pp entry fee. I’m glad we finally got there, we’ve talked about it since our first year. No pictures allowed though. Back home by 4:30, we said good night and shortly after 5, Bill lit the Weber and grilled bacon cheese burgers for supper. I prepared a Caesar salad and we were all cleaned up by 5:30 so we could watch the Brad Paisley (he thinks he’s) Special. Their words, not mine. It was an enjoyable hour that we watched together.

Supper was great!

This was a great day. I little birdie tells me that there is rain expected tomorrow so our plans for Tombstone may be moved to another day. There is another birdie that tells me we may see someone else tomorrow too. Wait and see! We're excited about that! We reached 65F/18C today and the sunshine was wonderful for as long as we were outside in it.

The sun was slipping as we drove home from the caverns

Thank you for stopping by.