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G has a "swell" time kayaking

G has a "swell" time kayaking
G has a "swell" time on Lake Michigan in an inflatable canoe

Dawn on the Gulf of Mexico

Dawn on the Gulf of Mexico
Dawn on the Gulf of Mexico

Warren Dunes Sunset

Warren Dunes Sunset
Warren Dunes Sunset

Thursday, March 24, 2022

At The FMCA Rally - Batteries

 

Electric Vehicle

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While at the FMCA Rally at the Pima County Fairgrounds I noticed this electric vehicle on display.  The batteries had been removed from the chassis and are sitting on the bed.  Of course, there are seminars about RV batteries and also vendors.  I found this old vehicle to be interesting.

Wooden crated lead-acid batteries

Close-up view of the batteries


Gould was the battery manufacturer.  At one time they produced electrical switchgear, automation products and all sorts of electrical distribution hardware.

(c) N. Retzke 2022


Wednesday, March 23, 2022

At the Rally - FMCA - Day 2

 

Central Park at the Pima County Fairgrounds

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Central Park at night, after the concert

Day 2 was a blast.  Seminars, food, vendors and entertainment.






Southwest Surfers Concert



Walking back to the Roadtrek

Roadtrek Group, at night


(c) Norman Retzke 2022



At the Rally - FMCA

 

Norm at the Rally

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It's March 23, the first day of the Rally. We are parked with the Roadtrekkers and they are a nice group of people. We attended our first "Meet and Greet" yesterday at the 4:00 Happy Hour.

Entry was about 10:00am yesterday and the drive was uneventful.  The FMCA people we met were all extremely pleasant and helpful. We got an escort to our space, then we went on a walking tour of the central area. 

Today we'll be attending several seminars in the morning, and then vendor's areas this afternoon.

Entry to the Fairgrounds

A part of the Roadtrek International Chapter Attendees area
 

Our 210P

(c) 2022 Norman Retzke

Sunday, March 20, 2022

FMCA Rally - Tucson Arizona March 23-26

 

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It is finally happening.  The event was originally scheduled for March 2020 but was postponed due to COVID-19 concerns.   Per RVTravel.com:

“FMCA hasn’t hosted a convention in Tucson since 1985, so this visit is long overdue,” said FMCA events director Doug Uhlenbrock. “We are hoping that the fairgrounds will accommodate our needs well enough to become part of our regular rotation.” "One key element of the event is an RV Expo. Major RV manufacturers and dealers bring their latest models for tours. RV-related accessories, components, services and other products of interest to travelers will be represented as well. When not shopping, attendees can take part in seminars by RV experts. Topics range from tire maintenance, technology and safe driving, to RV trips to Alaska, New Zealand/Australia and more. A variety of daytime and evening entertainment is offered. Multiple options are available for attending. Those with RVs are invited to stay on site to enjoy all the activities. The gate registration price for on-site stays is $245 (electric hookups are extra), which also grants RV owners who are not members of FMCA a one-year membership. For attendees who want to view only the RV displays and the supplier and component exhibits, admission is $10 per day or $25 for a family of three or more; children 12 and under are free with an accompanying adult. Individuals with an active military ID are admitted free as well. The day pass for Wednesday, March 23, will also be good for Thursday, March 24." 

For more information at the FMCA:  https://fmca.com/index.php/fmca-tucson-2022-learn-more.html

For the RVTravel article:  https://www.rvtravel.com/big-fmca-rally-coming-march.../

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We intend to be there, with the Roadtrek International Chapter, FMCA



Saturday, March 19, 2022

Dining in Tucson

 

Dining at Raijin Ramen, Tucson
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In 2014, shortly after purchasing our Roadtrek 210P we took a trek to the southwest and spent a couple of weeks in Tucson, Arizona.  We have been back every winter since then. We concluded there was a lot to like in Tucson.  Outdoor activities, museums, history and lore of the southwest including Tombstone and Bisbee, and a varied culinary experience.

Tucson became the first UNESCO City of Gastronomy in 2015. Tucson has great food, but it's also an identity and a way of life. "What does it mean to be a UNESCO City of Gastronomy? Tucson received this distinction from the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), because the food here tells a story that dates back 4,000 years."

Here is a sampler of a few of the restaurants we have recently dined at in Tucson, Arizona. These are in no particular order.  We cook most of our meals, but we also enjoy dining out with fellow travelers.  Some of our local favorites did not survive the pandemic or have undergone extreme changes as a consequence.  So, I did not include them here.  Furthermore, there are more restaurants than we have days available to dine out.  It is true that staffing issues have had a negative impact on a lot of restaurants, and recent supply chain issues have also contributed to the economic havoc and menu availability.  As a consequence, I've left a lot of restaurants off of this list because we have not had an opportunity to visit them in 2022.

Joe's Pancake House, 2532 S Kolb Rd, Tucson, is a popular breakfast & lunch dining restaurant.  Consistently fast service, very reasonable prices. Voted Best Breakfast Restaurant in Tucson.



We do enjoy Fat Willy's in the Voyager RV Resort. We make it a point to visit the resort and the Bar & Grill is an important amenity.   When we first visited Voyager, the resort owned and managed the restaurant.  A couple of years ago Equity Lifestyle Properties, Inc./ Encore Resorts decided to get out of that business, spun it off and leased it.  It became Fat Willy's Bar & Grill.  It is open 7am-9pm daily and serves Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. (Note: hours are subject to change). Dining on the patio in the evening is a pleasant experience. 

Dining on the patio at Voyager RV Resort

Did you know there are a number of Ramen shops in Tucson? This winter we returned to Raijin Ramen at 2955 E. Speedway, west of Kolb. It is a vegetarian friendly Japanese Ramen Shop restaurant, which had been running on limited hours during the Pandemic. It is now back to normal hours, lunch through dinner. We had the Gyoza (pork and veggie pot stickers), Miso - Regular and hot sake. There are other Ramen versions as well as a spicy one.  The Miso is delicious! 


Another dining spot is Culinary Dropout at 2543 E. Grant Road.  I think of it as Comfort food with a flair. We visited recently and I had Tomato Bisque and Crusty Bread as an appetizer. I also had Meat Loaf as the entre' while G had the Famous Fried Chicken. Very tasty. The Crusty Bread is served with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. 


Crusty bread and tomato bisque

Famous fried chicken


Meat loaf

There are lots of spots for Breakfast.  In addition to Fat Willy's at the Voyager Resort we also visited Joes Pancake House and Snooze several times.

Over at Snooze 2500 E. Grant Rd there are pancakes and other treats.  I recently had Spuds Deluxe. The Grits and Shrimp was outstanding.  


Spuds Deluxe at Snooze

Grits and Shrimp at Snooze


Breakfast fruit cup at Snooze

Churro Pancakes and a side of sausage at Snooze

Smashed Avocado Benny at Snooze

We recently visited Caruso's 434 N. 4th Avenue for an Italian Dining experience:

Caruso's Italian Restaurant - 434 N. 4th Avenue - Tucson


Caruso's Special - A combination of traditional Italian Favorites: •Spaghetti ­­ •Meatballs ­­ •Meat & Cheese Ravioli Served Meat sauce, Marinara sauce, or White Garlic-Mushroom sauce

Caruso's - Lasagne al Forno with Eggplant Parmigiana

A lunch of Greek food at Opa's Best Restaurant, 4590 East Broadway, Tucson:

Opa's Gyros Platter


Opa's Combo Plate with Gyros

We do frequent Fat Willy's Bar and Grill.  They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner.   The restaurant is in the Voyager RV Resort, on Kolb Rd south of I-10.  The bar & grill are open to everyone.  They have a full-service menu and weekly specials which include Burger Monday, Taco Tuesday and Fish Fry Friday, as well as other, holiday based special menus.

Fat Willy's - Veggie Skillet and Get-up-and-Go breakfast sandwich

Fat Willy's St. Patrick's Day Menu Specials

Fat Willy's - Cobb Salad and Crispy Chicken Salad

Fat Willy's - Reuben Sandwich on Marbled Rye


Saguaro Corners Restaurant & Bar, 3750 S Old Spanish Trail, Tucson, is a convenient stop when we are visiting Saguaro National Park - East.  Usually, we stop for lunch.  

Saguaro Corners- Shrimp, Cheese & Grits

Saguaro Corners - Cobb Salad

Saguaro Corners- Macaroni & Cheese

Argenziano's is a small, locally owned Italian Restaurant. 16251 S Houghton Rd, Corona De Tucson, AZ 85641 

Argenziano's Pizza, etc.

BJ's Brewhouse & Restaurant at 5510 E. Broadway has an extensive menu including delicious Fish & Chips for lunch:

BJ's Brewhouse Fish & Chips

Gaslight Theater 7010 E Broadway Blvd, Tucson, is a popular live theater entertainment experience, which serves food and there is Little Anthony's Diner next door:

Gaslight - Snacks during the performance

Not visited in 2022, but we hope to do so, soon:

El Corral 2201 E. River Rd, Tucson.  I had the Prime Rib with Tamale Pie. Delicious.

Poco & Mom's Cantina 7000 E Tanque Verde Rd, Tucson. Mexican Food made with 100% organic vegetables and spices.

The Canyon's Crown Restaurant & Pub.  6958 E Tanque Verde Rd, Tucson.  Full menu but also Guinness Pie, Chicken Pot Pie, Bangers & Mash, Corned beef & Cabbage, and Chicken Curry.

 Locale Neighborhood Italian Restaurant & Bakery, 60 N Alvernon Way, Tucson.  100% homemade.  Wonderful outdoor dining from 11:30am.  Lunch outdoor seating fills up quickly. 

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(c) N. Retzke 2022