Drizzly Start, Tombstone!

Shoot Out Arena RV Park, Tombstone, Arizona

(if you want a shorter version of the day, check On Our Way, Bill's blog - go to web version if it is too dark on your phone.)

On Saturday, Oct. 28^th Gibbs had to piddle at 5:30 so Bill dutifully got up and took him out – in the dark. Better him than me! It wasn’t too surprising since we were all in bed at 9:15 last night! Gibbs came back to bed with me until 6:30 and after the zoomies, he settled down. 😊 Goof!

Hard to see him, but the bottom left is Eric
packing up and his motorcycle waiting
This is the route through the state park

Out on NM309
and beyond

It was a very misty morning as we started packing things up. Bill chatted with our new neighbour, he ‘thinks’ his name is Eric but at least gave him one of our contact cards. Poor guy has to pack up his tent in the drizzle as well as ride in it. We wished him well, told him our route and destination so may see him. He’s headed for Mexicali for work. Nice young man. 😊

This was a beautiful drive

Autumn in the New Mexico mountains

It was 7:40 when we pulled out onto Bottomless Lakes Rd and NM380. It will be a long day again to our destination but we rested well last night. I hope you enjoy the picture collages. I took too many pictures - again. This misty weather is not difficult to drive in but it would be nice to see the sun. It is 54F/12C. We pulled into a Coneco in Roswell for fuel and the price was the best yet at $4.49/gal. From there on, we caught US70W and we sure ate up the diesel as we climbed to over 7,800’ in elevation.

At a gas station, we stopped for a nature break
and at the exact spot, I found two pennies. 💟
I also believe in luck, and we need luck, so I picked them up.
Of course, I did!

White Sands Missile Testing Range

This is a beautiful drive, one we are remembering from a couple of other years. The temperature is up to 59F/15C and the sky was clear blue after driving for 2 ½ hours. What goes up, must come down and, eventually, we did come down at a semi-steep grade. Our gas mileage improved once we were down to a better elevation and we stayed on US70W, picking up fuel at Alamagordo, even though we were still at ¾ of a tank. It was an AllSups and $4.29/gallon. Getting better!

A few neat sightings.
We saw a lot of Yuccas and started to see 
Ocotillos but still gray and not easy to get while travelling.
Finally, we see one of the huge roadrunners and yes, that is the
largest Pistachio. LOL

Hands down, New Mexico has the BEST overpasses.
The long range views are pretty cool too!

It is a balmy 73F/21C at 11 am and the heat of the sun feels wonderful! Driving along, on great roads btw, we passed the White Sands Missile Range and White Sands National Monument. The sand was truly white too! 😊 Los Crusces was the next city on our route and we made a couple of highway changes. I-25S to I-10W and after 228 miles took Exit 306 towards Tombstone. The day has sure changed from when we started out and we hope Eric takes this route. He’d love it!

Gage Rest Area
One of the pretty ones with private
adobe picnic shelters

At 1:30 we stopped at the Gage Rest Area for a break and then carried on. We’re feeling very good about the miles we’ve put behind us and are on track for the next few days. Riding with Bill’s window down is noisier than otherwise, but the fresh air is great and Gibbs seems to be happier. 😊 ♥

Top pix for Dad - he loved his trains. 💖

Arizona! We made it!
Tombstome arrival as well.

It was 2:35 pm when we crossed the state line entering Arizona. We made it! It is a blazing 81F/27C. Perfect greeting! We stopped at a Shell at San Simon, for our last fuel up for the day. Black Beauty was thirsty today but we’ll have a head start on tomorrow’s journey with this fill up. The cost couldn’t be beat - $3.89/gal. 😊 We arrived at Tombstone around 4:15, forgot to look.

Hands down, one of the BEST puppy dogs. 🐶

Last spring, with Tom and Deb, we all discovered an off-grid campground for rv’ers so that is where we are. It is called Shoot Out Arena RV Park. 😂 No hookups but a level parking spot for $10/night. Because we were late in the day, and because we want to tour Tombstone while here, we’ll stay 2 nights. 

Not too full but enough to make the owners happy

There are about 10 rigs here altogether and we’re grateful for the opportunity to hang out here. We walked up to Big Nose Kate’s (of course) for supper and sat with 2 other couples. The place was packed, as usual.

Welcome to Tombstone
The Courthouse, behind which is the campground.

I ordered the Mother Load mushroom bacon cheeseburger with onion rings on the side and it was all great. I had fresh lemonade to drink and managed to finish the whole meal without any problem. 

Big Nose Kate's never disappoints.
Our meals were awesome!
Bill had the Patty melt with Fries and Sasparilla

Back home, we sat to write our blogs and I had a mess of pictures to go through. This was our last long day this year and we are ready to hang tight for an extra day before moving again.

This mornings picture of our spot
That's the Courthouse up on the hill

It's a bit of a steep hill to get down to it
but a great spot!
Good night!

Thank you for stopping by.