Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Music aplenty at Tucson's Voyager RV Resort in March

Tucson's Voyager RV Resorts has announced its March musical performance lineup for Wednesday and Friday Night Concert Series. All shows will be in the ballroom and begin at 7 p.m.

These Three Tenors
The Friday Night Concert Series begins March 2 with These Three Tenors. Hailing from New York, the trio has a varied repertoire from operatic and Italian classics to Broadway favorites.

The Friday series continues March 16 with Highway Legends. Jeff Dayton and Mike & T Smith use their extensive experience performing on the road with country music legends to bring audiences the best of country, pop and R&B music.

The Southwest Surfers kicks off the Wednesday Night Concert Series March 7 playing hit songs from The Beach Boys, including "Surfin' Safari," "Barbara Ann" and "Help Me, Rhonda."

Fans of gospel will enjoy How Great Thou Art featuring Robert Shaw March 14. Along with his 12-piece band and a gospel quartet, Shaw keeps Elvis' spirituality alive by performing inspirational hits, including "Amazing Grace" and "How Great Thou Art."

Paying tribute to some of the world's finest music, the Three International Tenors continue the Wednesday series March 21.

The Wednesday Night Concert Series wraps up March 28 with the musical act, Bernie and Red. The husband-and-wife team brings a fresh and original format using song and humor to entertain audiences.

Ticket prices range from $10 to $18 and can be purchased at the Activities Office at Voyager RV Resort (8701 S. Kolb Road, Tucson).

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Picacho Peak Civil War reenactment returns in March

This year marks the 100th year of statehood for Arizona, the state that still thinks of itself as the Wild West. In celebration of the Centennial, Picacho Peak State Park will hold its annual civil war reenactment on the weekend of March 10 - 11 from 10 AM to 4 PM.

The event marks the 150th anniversary of the battle of Picacho Pass, one of the most Western most battles of the American civil War. The celebration features re-enactments, civil war campsites to tour, and period merchandise for sale.

Hours will be 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. for both days. Vehicle entrance fee is $10 for up to four persons, and $3 per person after that. Individual entrance by foot or bike is $3.

With budget cuts and staff reductions the park can always use volunteers. To find out how you can help or to get more information visit the event website or call (520) 466-3183.

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Camping season starts early in Arizona

The 2012 camping season starts early in Arizona. Warm days and cool nights, combined with Arizona’s diverse landscape and spectacular scenery, provide a wide range of camping experiences to campers each Spring. Here are some of the best according to the editors of iForestCamping.com.

Campsite at Bonito campground
Bonito campground, in the Coconino National Forest, is east of Flagstaff, west of Sunset Crater Volcano and south of the Wupatki National Monuments. Almost in the shadow of the San Francisco Mountains and with flush toilets, groundcover of colorful cinders, and generous campsites, makes Bonito campground an excellent base camp for exploring the community of Flagstaff, neighboring national monuments, or Coconino’s many natural features. Towering Ponderosa pines cast long shadows, offering pleasant shade, and reminding visitors there’s more to Arizona than deserts.

Cochise Stronghold campground, in the Coronado National Forest, is a place of history. In the mid-1800s, a band of Chiricahua Apache, lead by Cochise, sought shelter and peace here. The tall surrounding bluffs provided natural lookouts for sharp eyed warriors and protection from the elements. A self-guided interpretative trail offers information about the plants the Chiricahuas used for food and clothing. The campsites are scattered among boulders shaded by native oak trees and fancifully shaped rocks. One feels the presence of past inhabitants here.

Ten-X campground, in the Kaibab National Forest, is a perfect place to enjoy the Grand Canyon National Park - South Rim. An alternative to high density national park campgrounds, the campground has spacious campsites that are shaded, level, and will accommodate any size RV. Plus, it is convenient to several nearby businesses, diners, and motels.

Spacious campsite at Jacob Lake Campground
DeMotte and Jacob Lake campgrounds, also in the Kaibab National Forest, are on the the Grand Canyon National Park’s North Rim and well situated for exploring the area. At 1,000 feet above the campgrounds on the South Rim, temperatures are cooler. DeMotte, closest to the park and at the edge of a huge mountain meadow, is outstanding for wildlife viewing. Jacob Lake campground, farther from the park, is popular for daytrips to see the wonders of the North Rim. Off US Rt. 89 Alternative, and in the little community of Jacob Lake, this campground often fills with recreational vehicles.

Fool Hollow Lake campground in the Sitgeavers National Forest was developed in partnership with the Forest Service, Arizona State Parks, Game and Fish, and the city of Show Low. It offers full hook-ups, some sites with only water and electric, and others with no hook-ups. Resort-like, it is close enough to town for a cook’s night out. The campground sits on the banks of the 149-acre Fool Hollow Lake and has a 0.75-mile family-friendly paved hiking trail.

ForestCamping.com, the U.S. National Forest Campground Guide, is a complete and comprehensive guide to developed campgrounds in national forests and grasslands. Fred and Suzi Dow, its authors and publishers, have devoted 17 years to visiting, personally researching, and providing the public with free, detailed information about 175 national forests and grasslands and over 2,400 personally surveyed campgrounds.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Lake Havasu City bustling with winter events and mid-70s temps

Winterfest at Lake Havasu City
Lake Havasu City is bustling with snowbirds at this time of year. The campgrounds and RV resorts are full, non-RVing snowbirds have moved into their condos and houses for the winter, and events are in full swing.

One event to mark on your calendar is the 27th Annual Winterfest put on by the Lake Havasu Chamber of Commerce. This year over 40,000 are expected to attend Winterfest to enjoy the daytime temps of 70 to 75 degrees and to visit over 400 booths including more than 200 vendors from around the country.

Vendors display homemade clothing, arts and crafts, jewelry, and fine art from some of the top artists and craftspeople in the West. You will also find booths for Arizona State Parks, service agencies, games for kids, food booths of all kinds, and several musical groups provide continuous entertainment.

Cruisin' On Main, Lake Havasu City
Winterfest takes place on Lake Havasu's main street, McCulloch Boulevard North, the weekend of February 11 -12 from 10 AM to 5 PM. There is plenty of free parking and admission is free also.

Otherpopular February events in Lake Havasu include: Cruisin' on Main every Thursday when hot rods and classic cars turn out to cruise along McCulloch, a swap meet every Sunday in the London Bridge Shopping Center - South parking lot, the 11th Annual Spring Frenzy at the aquatic center presents a week of classes and lectures beginning Feb. 6th, the 23rd Annual Winter Blast Western Pyrotechnics fireworks show at Sara Park on Feb. 16th, and more. You can find out more about these events and see all the events for Lake Havasu on the GoLakeHavasu website.

Make your RV resort reservations now, or stay at the no-reservations Lake Havasu State Park - Windsor Beach. Boondocking is available north of town near the airport in the BLM's Craggy Wash dispersed camping area and south of town in Standard Wash.