Day 46 - After breakfast we took the 10:30 tour of the Copper Queen Mine. The tour itself was informative and interesting. It lasted a little over an hour and was guided by a former miner whose stories brought the history to life. The gift shop focused on various gemstones and minerals and had many for sale at reasonable prices. After the tour we visited the nearby Mining Museum. The Museum is a Smothsonian affiliate and it shows in the quality of the exhibits. After we finished at the museum, we headed to Tombstone since we missed it on previous visits. Our camp for the night would be at Tombstone Dry RV Camping for its location just a short walk from the historic courthouse and the historic area of town. The RV park was nothing more than a very large gravel lot and field with a self pay box, $3 per day for
cars and $10 per day for RVs, but with only 2 other campers in such a large lot it suited us fine.
Day 47 - We toured the courthouse first thing after breakfast then took a walk around the old town area. While the buildings and history were interesting, we thought Bisbee was more interesting and a better overall experience. Tombstone felt more like a tourist trap, sort of like an amusement park without the benefit of general admission. It seemed every historical building and the smallest of museums all wanted separate entrance fees. Had we paid to see everything that looked interesting, it would have cost more than a day at Disney with a fraction of the attractions.
We soon had enough of Tombstone and headed down the road to spend the night at Catalina State Park. During our last two visits to the area, we were unable to stay at Catalina SP because there was nothing available, even overflow was full. This year I was able to find a reservable site on short notice in the Ringtail Loop, basically overflow sites that are reservable. The sites were horribly cramped and we ended up with camp neighbors from hell, somewhat like the family in the movie National Lampoon's Vacation.
Day 48 - There was never a moment of quiet next to to our camp neighbors, not even overnight. Between the little dog that would not stop barking, the lady in charge of the dog who talked constantly in a volume just short of yelling, the low budget RV with a noisy generator, and the loudest furnace I have ever experienced, we had had enough by this morning and didn't even stay for a short hike. People like this, though they are the exception rather than the rule, are why we generally avoid developed campgrounds and we could not get out of there fast enough.
Tonight we have a site reserved at Lost Dutchman State Park. We have stayed here before and already know what to expect. Two days ago my partner received news that his elderly mother had taken a turn for the worse, so we are cutting the trip a little short to head home and help out with her care. We are making our way to visit friends in Prescott for the weekend then heading back to Idaho.
Day 49 - Lost Dutchman was as nice this time as it was the last. Sites are large and well spaced and we got a good nights6 sleep. Vacation is essentially over and we did not bother with a hike. We set off for our friend's house after breakfast.