New beginnings in Tucson, AZ

It's been 30 days since arriving at the Voyager RV Resort in Tucson, AZ.   We are once again trying out a large resort atmosphere and this one certainly has a lot more activity than our last experience.

This resort has 1576 spaces, 600 for RV's.   The Bay is the newest housing division within the resort and The Cove is a housing community adjacent to the RV Resort (home owners allowed to access all amenities and facilities within the park).

Complete with a 9 hole golf course, pools, spa, medical doctor services three days a week, and all the other large resort activities (pickleball, woodworking, lapidary, courses, group activities, hiking, etc).

Hmmmmmm . . . I'm having writer's block:   How to start on this story!. . .

Here goes,

Our first afternoon we checked out the pickleball courts and played some games.  

I can not go into details on this type of forum but will say that a couple we met when first arriving here have had huge problems for over a year with a person who lives in the residential community that is adjacent to the park and the person involved and his wife have access to all amenities within the RV Park.   When I say "problems" I am talking about total harassment and intimidation.

About two weeks into our visit here we were having dinner with this couple and another couple we know from Pennsylvania, staying here a week, at the local restaurant (it is steps from our site in the RV Park) and we were all sitting outdoors on the patio.   We all looked up to see a man yelling and saying, "I'll get back at you " pointing at individuals making a comment that he hoped we all choked on our food.   He said a lot more but it took a few seconds for any of us to realize he was yelling at us.  

He was asked to leave several times and eventually went back indoors to the restaurant.   He appeared like a crazed person to us, never have met him but my friend whispered to me "that's HIM!"   The same man.

The manager/owner of the restaurant was summoned to our table and she stated we should call security which someone did.   Apparently this man was belligerent to the waitress this evening as well and over time, some waitresses will not serve him.

The Sheriff was contacted and two came to the restaurant to get statements.

PIMA COUNTY COURTHOUSE

OK --- a long story and unless you hear it ALL, hard to understand.   

Four of us put in a restraining order on this man (he is known to have 11 fire arms - a retired cop) and his behavior freaked out everyone that night at the table and another couple sitting nearby but especially the couple he has had issue with - they were clearly affected by him.   But, having said that, the behavior he exhibited that night was extremely upsetting and especially to us as we knew the other things he has previously done so this was the icing on the cake. 

Management has had it with him after this incident and arranged to have him banned  from the RV Park for a year (obviously NOT just over this one episode) and security has been beefed up. 

Spent a full day at the Pima Court House - - - quite a process!  First, a thoroughly screening at the glassed in window with the receptionsit/screening officer.   Then, filling out mega forms, then waiting to see the judge was a couple of hours.   

We were led down the hall into the court room - all terrified (along with two other young men with an issue of their own).   Expecting JUDGE JUDY, we got a young, comedic judge - didn't have to go up to the bench and very quickly, he gave us our restraining orders.

Then the fun begins ... we were shuffled all over town, trying to find where to file the reports and get the papers served. . . not an easy task.   Eventually paid a private company amongst the four of us who did serve the papers BUT, we didn't find out until the next day that they had been served!!!!  That was what we were so afraid of!    

Marc met up with some of the bike group staying on the other side of town, at Diamond J, where we were two years ago. 

Like this area too but do miss being on the trails right outside the door and the awesome stars at night.

We are on the south east end to Tucson and although the RV Park has been great, I do not have anywhere here I want to walk the dogs - not without taking the car.   The desert is across the road a short distance from our end of the park but its not a friendly atmosphere for dog walking with the nasty choya and prickly pear cactus and not to mention the danger of coyotes.

LAKESIDE PARK

After some time, I have found several areas I can take the dogs and practise their turns and basic agility stuff.   Almost every area I've found is about 5 miles so only about a 10-15 min drive.

Lakeside Park is a reservoir of 14 acres with a maximum depth of 35 ft (11 m).   One of five most popular reservoir lakes in the area.  The lake is stocked with Bass, Crappie, Catfish and Rainbow Trout.  $18.50 gets you an Urban license whether a resident or non-resident.

No gas motors.   You are allowed to bag daily:   4 catfish,  4 trout, 2 bass (13" min) and 10 sunfish.


Incredible walk around the lake, gazebos, kids parks, soccer field .. .   lots of space and the soccer field backs onto a large wash before apartments on the other side.   A great place for the "running of the dogs."

NAN E LYONS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Found another area to take the dogs . . . appears to me to be a closed school.   Okay, it IS the weekend but it is totally closed up and the grounds look like they have been left unattended for some time.

Across from the school yard is a small park but I quickly left the park and came around the back to the school yard where there is chain linked fencing all around.  The park was full of late teen, early 20's aged men, loose dogs and obviously it is the morning for disc golfing.

The neighborhood is a bit sketchy with bars on the windows and gang tags along the fencing.

Pitbull puppies $150 with 1st shots

Things were fine that day.   The next Saturday I went back because some of the parks were very busy (baseball being a number one sport with soccer right behind).   Came around the corner to park at the back of the grounds at the school yard and the house next door had two police cars, a fire truck parked there with several police standing outside the residence.  




Across the field I saw a police car do a sweep quickly around the disc golf park and then came swiftly down the street I was on and continue on the dirt fire escape road beside the school, at a high speed.  Then an ambulance came up to the house.    I'm outta there!

Went to visit some friends staying at Rincon (west side of Tucson) - these murals were in the billiards room.  Gorgeous.

A miniature train system is set up outside for railroad enthusiasts to enjoy.

Back at the Ranch - The Voyager.   Skies have been blue and no rain in the area since Dec 21st.   A very dry and mild winter, according to reports.   Have had a few very windy days, like today.   Temperatures hovering around mid 70s (18-25 C in general).

CACTUS WREN

Have not done a lot of sight seeing up to this point.   With meeting the community, playing pickleball, doing to the gym, checking out places with the dogs our time has flown by - not to mention all the goings on with our first few weeks here and getting involved with the law.

Hopefully things have settled down now and we are going out to other communities playing pickleball and meeting people outside the park.   The Gem and Mineral show has arrived here in Tucson (one of the largest in N. America) and with that, Tucson has an influx of approximately 50,000 people.   Security is extremely high during this event and the RV Park has become busy with Gem Show Vendors.    Have gone once before but only saw a tiny portion of it.   Will have more on things soon.   Got very behind and distracted with all the goings on lately.