RVers Galore

Friday, we visited the Good Sam Rally, being held at Phoenix International Raceway. There were RVers and RVs everywhere.

We spent most of our time moseying through the vendor tent with our friends Barbara and Ron. They did make a couple of small purchases. We didn't buy anything. There was lots to look at, from braking systems to toilet paper to travel option and info on RV resorts.

There were long lines at the Camping World check-out registers. They moved quickly, however.

Ron picked up a cup of coffee and shared a bag of these excellent mini donuts with us.

For lunch, we visited the chicken vendor. Unfortunately, there was no place at the tables to sit, so John and I stood to eat.  Barbara and Ron chose to sit on the ground.  We were so glad they were able to get up and continue shipping with us!

A large number of RVs were on display and for sale. This one was the most interesting.

The rally ambulance was interesting. Glad none of us needed it.

Shopping in a hot, crowded tent is hard work. We decided to ride the tram back to the parking lot.

The ride took us through the area where many of the rally participants parked their RVs. Lots and lots of RVs.

Obviously, there was room for even more RVs to park. This is a huge rally and even larger rally space.

Many of the RVs had electrical hookups, but no water or sewer. Here is a truck delivering fresh water. There was also a "honey wagon" that would pump out waste-water holding tanks.

This is the second time we have attended a Good Sam rally. The first was in Albuquerque in 2009. That year we stayed on the Balloon Fiesta grounds with other attendees. We don't know if we will try to attend any more rallies. We didn't find any new and exciting products and we may never buy another RV. But it was good to spend time with friends and be with so many people who enjoy the same things in life we do.

A Great Hike

Tuesday we drove to Phoenix's South Mountain Park for a hike. South Mountain is almost 17,000 acres of desert mountains, sometimes said to be the largest municipal park in the world. I wish it was closer to Mesa. We had to drive over 30 miles to reach the trail head, including seven miles in the park. We were right on the edge of central Phoenix.



And the park must contain the highest point anywhere around, judging from all of these antennas.



It contains really beautiful desert vegetation.



Unfortunately, because of all the budget woes faced by Phoenix and Arizona, the visitor center is closed, no one staffs the entrance booth and we couldn't find any trail maps until we happened to run into someone who went inside this great old building and sent out a park ranger.



We were looking for the Buena Vista trail head and Fat Man's Pass trail. Once we learned where we needed to be, we drove to the trail head and started out on the National Trail. This is one section of a hiking trail that goes from the Mexican border to the Arizona-Utah state line, one of a number of trails designated under the National Park System.

Following directions given by the park ranger, we hiked the National Trail till we reached a sign for Hidden Valley. He recommended making the loop through Hidden Valley and Fat Man Pass in a counter-clockwise direction, which we attempted to do. We couldn't see where to go, so we turned around and sat down to eat lunch. Just as we finished, we heard voices and encountered two women hikers. We asked them if they knew were Fat Man's Pass was and they said yes. We followed them right where we had hiked before, then they pointed out a very narrow passageway through the rocks. When I say narrow, I mean narrow.





After we had squeezed through, we hiked with our two "angels" for a little while. We never would have gone the right way if we hadn't encountered Maria and Maria from Gilbert. Thanks, ladies.



The hike continued over and through large boulders.



And through a tunnel.



It required a little scrambling and scooting over the rocks. But it was a great hike. We hope finances improve for the City of Phoenix, so the park can be maintained and services there improved. It adds so much to the ambiance of the city.