Oct 2022
Valley Vista RV Resort - Benson AZ

I began my exploration of Cochise County by booking 14 nights in Benson AZ at an Encore resort which is an extension of my Thousand Trails membership. Valley Vista RV Resort doesn't have endless amenities that may or may not be properly maintained or campers that haven't moved in years but rather a perfectly sized incredibly well maintained piece of property with a very friendly staff. The resort is age qualified (55+) with 145 sites. I'm in a pull through site near the front that is shallow yet wide enough to park the truck along side the trailer. This is perfect for my 26' trailer and I really like this setup which allows for convenient loading of the truck and Barron for day trips. Cable TV here is fantastic and there are WiFi plans available which I did not use. There is a small pool and hot tub deck, showers in the main building, clubhouse with some amenities, and a Coin Operated Laundry Room. Love That!

There is a hiking trail loop adjacent to the property own by the electric company next door, Thouchstone Energy. This is maintained as an area for employees to exercise but the visitors at Valley Vista RV are welcome to use the area. I'm guessing it's about one half mile around so take a lap or as many as you wish. Dogs are welcome with the reminder to clean up after your pets. I kept Barron on a short lease and wore high top hiking boots each time because it's a guarantee that there are rattle snakes here. The resort is less than a mile from the main intersection in Benson. There are restaurants and fast food joints all along the main drag in Benson and the Walmart super center is less than 3 miles from Valley Vista. I will definitely return to Valley Vista RV Resort.

Valley Vista RV Resort - Site Map

Product of the Week
Aqua-Tainer 7 Gallon Rigid Water Container

I travel with 21 gallons of drinking water which usually last from 18 to 21 days. This is possible for me by carrying three 7 Gallon Aqua-Tainers by Reliance Products which are available on my Amazon Store. This particular water refill station uses Reverse Osmosis to prepare the water. (Fancy) The cost of this refill is $1.25 per 5 Gallons and 30 cents per Gallon. The total for me to refill my 21 gallons was $5.55. Not a bad deal for 3 weeks of drinking water. The Aqua-Tainers will pay for themselves in no time!

Oct 2022
Benson Arizona

Benson was the perfect place for me to explore Cochise County. Located on Interstate 10 just 45 miles southeast of Tucson, It's only 25 miles to Tombstone, 35 to Wilcox, and 45 to Bisbee. At 3600 feet in altitude and me being here for most of October, it was mid 70s during the day and mid 50s at night. Perfect! There are endless hiking opportunities in the area including my personal favorite Kartchner Caverns State Park. The main street in Benson has several 19th century buildings still in operation. The city has provided a Walking Tour PDF (Click Here). The city was founded in 1880 as a rail terminal for the area, and the trains can be heard from anywhere in town.

Benson has many of the fast food joints found most places, a great Walmart Super Center, and three restaurants that I can recommend:

Normally after being somewhere for 3 weeks I'm itching to move on but I'm really going to miss Benson. Nothing spectacular just a friendly vibe and a pleasant pace. I will spend more time in this town in the future.

Oct 2022
Tombstone Arizona

Located just 22 miles south down Hwy 80 from Valley Vista RV Resort is the historic Wild West town of Tombstone known best by Hollywood and Wild West folklore for the Gunfight at the OK Corral in October of 1881. While only three of the five Earp brothers participated in the famous gunfight, all of them were there during the retribution period following the assassination of 30 year-old brother Morgan Earp months after the gunfight in March of 1882. The only Earp brother buried in Arizona is the youngest brother Warren Earp who was killed in Wilcox AZ in 1900 in a drunken bar fight. I did find and photograph the grave in Wilcox. There are a great many things to do in Tombstone mostly centered around the famous gunfight and the wild west including, Gunfight Show at Old Tombstone, Allen Street, Tour the actual OK Corral, The Bird Cage Theater, The Boothill Graveyard, The Gunfighter Hall Of Fame, and many more.

Oct 2022
Wilcox Arizona

I traveled to Wilcox primarily to photo Warren Earp's grave as he is the only Earp brother buried in Arizona. The youngest of the Earp brothers was killed in Wilcox in 1900 and buried in the Willcox Pioneer Cemetery off North 3rd Ave. If you would like to see the site, make sure you have your snake boots. The cemetery is heavily overgrown there there is a 100% chance of rattlesnakes here. Warren Earp's grave is in the back of the cemetery. Wilcox is a quaint place, not remarkable, but worth a trip for a couple of reasons. The area is stunning with the town surrounded by Arizona's most prominent mountain ranges, including the Pinaleno and Chiricahua Mountains. With the area located in a drainage basin including several seasonal lakes coupled with the high desert climate, the Wilcox area is perfect for wine vineyards, and there are many here. There is also quiet a bit of agriculture in the area with several U-Pick farms including Apples, Peaches, Pears, Pumpkins, and Sour Cherries.