Tucson, we hardly knew ye.

After a whirlwind day and a half with Maureen’s friend Jana and her family, we left Phoenix for Tucson. A high wind warning made it a white-knuckle drive, but we arrived safely at the Lazydays KOA without being swallowed by a sandstorm or roadside arroyo.

The campground was easily the largest we’d ever stayed at, and looked more like an airport parking lot than a place to commune with nature. After lunch (and a quick trip to the fitness center to work it off) we visited with Maureen’s cousin Ryan and his family. His parents—Maureen’s Aunt Susan and Uncle Stretch—were hiding out in Arizona from the single-digit temps in Iowa, so we got to see them, too, before heading back to the KOA. Despite being smack in between the Tucson airport and Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, we passed a restful night before pulling up stakes this morning for our triumphant return to New Mexico. More on that soon.

This “a new day, a new destination” kind of travel is not our favorite. Heck, we got to know Pie Town better than either Phoenix or Tucson. But our main purpose of this trip was to see friends and family, not sightseeing. There will be plenty of that this spring and summer.

Until then, if the recap above leaves you wanting more, check out the video below.