Rockhound State Park, Kartchner Caverns in Benson, Gila Bend, Quartzsite, Arizona

Another view from Rockhound State Park in Deming New Mexico.  Our views were spectacular with good clear weather. The campground is about 4500 feet elevation and this year we experienced one night of 18 degrees--dry camping. Quite cold, and our coldest night to date in Lady Blue; but we were happy to have our furnace working great. Deming is about 12 miles ahead to the right.

We headed west on Interstate Route 10 and made an overnight stop in Willcox, Arizona at Grande Vista Campground, a Passport America campground.  For those unfamiliar with Passport, we have belonged to Passport America for a number of years. It costs $40 per year and gives you access to many campgrounds in each state for a 50% discount. In this case , it cost $23 for the night instead of $46 for a full hookup.  Passport usually pays for itself many times over during the year.  
From Willcox, home of Rex Allen( a western singer who recorded many early records in the late 1940's and early 1950's. He then was in movies as the clean cut Arizona Cowboy similar to Roy Rogers)we headed west to Benson, Arizona and Kartchner Caverns Campground--one of our favorites. 

A link to the Rex Allen info on Wikipedia

 The video above is a section of Route 10 just before descending from 5,000 feet to Benson.  We always like seeing the unusual rock formations, Note a few "balanced boulders" on the right.

The campsites at Kartchner are large and mostly well separated with beautiful mountain views.

From the campground, a short walk to the Visitors Center. Lots of information on the caverns, tickets for the cavern tours, and great displays on the cavern discovered in the 1970's and one of the best preserved caverns in America.

A great view from the Foothills Loop Trail looking east, southeast. 

Above are some of the Native American grinding stones in the park. They date from 4800 B.C. to A.D. 300.  We placed one of our hiking sticks next to them for perspective.

The video above is from one of the high points on the Foothills Loop Trail. You can see some traffic passing by on Route 90 including one trailer truck. Some of the points in the far distance ahead are--left to right--Cochise Stronghold, Tombstone, Arizona; and Bisbee, Arizona.

Bruce taking a break on the Footlhills Loop.

The Foothills Loop goes around the mounds that reflect the different rooms in the caverns below ground. One --the Throne Room--is below ground on the left.

Above is one of the new models of Tent Camper from Opus. 
This was on display outside the main RV tent.
If you are wondering why we show these different RVs, first we have no plans of trading or changing Lady Blue!!!!
But we know we have some friends and family who have interests in tent trailers, trailers, camping products, and even motorhomes. Plus we always like to see what is happening in the industry.

We saw one at Kartchner Cavern being used. A unique thing about these is that they set up on their own with an onboard air system.

Some points about this camper.
Very high road clearance.
Two water tanks and room to carry two 5 gallon water containers.
On demand water heater.
Slide out kitchen seen above.
Lots of other things that can be added.
The very first picture above shows a rack that is permanently attached to the trailer. It has assist for raising and lowering on the roof, and can carry lots of your stuff.
Below is the website link and below that is a video.

Website for Opus Campers

We came across another interesting blog back in the early Fall. But we had so many pictures and places for the blog issues that it had to wait until now.  The following Episode of Go North, an adventure of Mortons on the Move blog, was fascinating to us because it goes right into the Lance Camper factory to see the process of creating the largest Lance Pickup Camper.   A quick overview of the Mortons is---They met at college in Michigan and joined the corporate race . Tom was Electrical Engineering and Caitlin was Business Management. We are posting a link to their backstory below. Short version is that after several years of climbing the ladder, the demands and stress began to affect Tom's health and neither one was happy. In the link you can see how they gave up the corporate life and became full time RVers.  And have been for 5 years now.
Weblink "About Us" from "On the Move" dropdown menu on the Mortons on the Move Webpage
The episode video below is from their trip to Alaska , sponsored by Lance, Truma on demand hot water, and other RV manufacturers.
There are 17 episodes in all. This video is about 20 minutes long. Sometimes on Youtube , commercials interrupt the videos. The video ends when the new camper is on the new truck .
We remember when truck campers were either an improved pickup truck cap for the bed, or a basic wood frame perhaps covered with siding. Didn't expect anything inside either--just bring your tent camping equipment with you-campstove,maybe a camper's kitchen, and your sleeping bags
Note to Somerset people. We think Caitlin could be a twin for Lisa who was a bartender at Magoni's for a while and now owns a Vegan Bakery in Fall River. Great person who welcomed just about everyone with hugs when they arrived.

Episode 2 is at the Lance Factory.
There are 15 other episodes.

A view along the road , Route 8, to Gila Bend, Arizona

A picture of Jan at Lady Blue with a number of the other Lazy Daze units on LTVA in Quartzsite, Arizona

Just a slight hint of how great the pot luck supper was. Among other items--Lasagne Rollups, a Pear and Pomegranate featured salad, Turkey Meatloaf, Mac and Cheese topped with a wonderful flavored chicken, Apple Crisp, Kale and Sweet Potato kind of salad, and Beans,Onion, and Rice from an Insta-Pot.
Oh yes----followed by a fire circle.

Just happened to have this wonderful sunset behind the outline of a Class A  motorhome in Gila Bend KOA Journey.