We left Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge on the morning of day nine of our tour driving north on AZ Route 286 toward the Tucson Mountains. We passed the Kitt Peak National Observatory driving through part of the Tohono O’odham Reservation along the way.
Our next stop on our Southern Arizona Tour is the Tucson Mountain Park and Gilbert Ray County Campground. Places of interest at this stop will be the Desert Museum, Saguaro National Park West, the Pima Air & Space Museum, and San Xavier Mission…
The Kitt Peak National Observatory from Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge with a zoom lens.AZ Route 286 north to Tucson and the Tucson Mountains through Buenos Aires.Route 286Our next campground.Ever see an 88 year old man climb on top of his Leisure Travel Van to check on his air conditioner? He ran into a low hanging parking lot roof while visiting the Pima Air & Space Museum – there’s a reason why the sign said, “No RV’s in this Area.”LTV owners – from left: Gordon Dupries (with bike), MaryAnn Barber (sitting), Maggie Hogan at Gilbert Ray Campground.Our campsite at Gilbert Ray, no water hookups just electric – but a water isn’t too far away, it’s across the street.Our 2018 Leisure Travel Van, Unity FX.Every night our tour group gathered together to discuss the day and what we were going to do the next day.The Desert Museum really isn’t a museum at all, it’s a zoo. (Photo by LTV owner – Mary Williams)LTV owner Mary Williams at the Desert Museum. (Photo by LTV owner – Jon Williams) Javelina babies at the Desert Museum. (Photo by LYV owner – Mary Williams)Coyote at the Desert Museum. (Photo by LTV owner – Mary Williams)Mountain Lion at the Desert Museum. (Photo by LTV owner Dave McCowan)LTV owner – Marge Coakley at Gilbert Ray Campground. (Photo by LTV owner – Bill Coakley)LTV owners – from left: Donna McCowan (in scooter), Dave McCowan, Jane Taitano, and MaryAnn Barber at the Pima Air & Space Museum.There’s Dave McCowan up on top of his LTV! Really Dave, you need to get down from there before you fall down!Gordon & Suzi Dupries out for a bike ride at Gilbert Ray Campground.Gilbert Ray Campground.Sunset at Gilbert Ray.In the Tucson Mountains. (Photo by LTV owners – Kerry & Maureen Johnson)Stormy Night at Gilbert Ray, didn’t get one drop of rain on the ground! (Photo by LTV owner – Maggie Hogan)Desert Museum. (Photo by LTV owners – Kerry & Maureen Johnson)Desert Museum. (Photo by LTV owner – Cynthia Doyle)Desert Museum. (Photo by LTV owner – Maureen Johnson)Desert Museum parking lot. (Photo by LTV owner Dave McCowan)Gilbert Ray Campground in the Tucson Mountains. (Photo by LTV owner – Maureen Johnson)Prickly Pear Cactus on the trails at Gilbert Ray. (Photo by LTV owner – Maureen Johnson)Saguaro National Park West.Saguaro National Park West. (Photo by LTV owner – Maureen Johnson)Saguaro National Park West. (Photo by Maureen Johnson)San Xavier Mission (Photo by LTV owner – Cynthia Doyle)San Xavier Mission (Photo by LTV owner – Cynthia Doyle)The inside of San Xavier Mission. This is the oldest still in use building in Arizona. The mission was founded in 1700 by Father Eusebio Kino a Jesuit missionary who also founded the Tumacacori Mission. San Xavier is located 10 miles south of Tucson on Interstate 19. (Photo by LTV owner – Cynthia Doyle)LTV owner – Ed Doyle at Gilbert Ray. (Photo by LTV owner – Cynthia Doyle)Saguaro National Park West.Saguaro National Park WestFlowers preparing to bloom on a saguaro at Saguaro National Park. (Photo by LTV owner – Cynthia Doyle)Saguaro National ParkSaguaro National ParkSaguaro National Park west of TucsonOcotillo in Saguaro National Park.Harris Ground Squirrel in Saguaro National Park, I took this picture while on a bike ride through the park.Couldn’t resist another pic of the little guy!Okay – one more!
Our next and last stop on our Southern Arizona Tour will be Organ Pipe National Park. Come along as we explore our southern border with Mexico…
(The picture above is of the Pecos River in southwest Texas.) My name is Terry C Barber, I am a disabled veteran, retired military and retired pastor. MaryAnn’s a retired special education teacher. Our Next Chapter, the open road – we call it “the Barber Road.” You're invited to join us as we explore North America in our Leisure Travel Van with two Shitzu pups.
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Great pictures! Loved the frog parking lot!
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Thank you 😊
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