Kartchner Caverns State Park near Benson, AZ

We left Tucson's Davis Monthan Air Force Base this morning.

We didn’t go far, however:  just 50 miles southeast to Kartchner Caverns State Park, nine miles south of the small town of Benson, Arizona.  Even though it was a short trip, we left early because high winds were predicted for the afternoon, and wind + high profile vehicle = a slow, scary drive.  There was barely any wind on the road, but shortly after we arrived the wind kicked up and slammed our rig door on my arm.  Ouch.  As I write the wind is gusting at about 40 miles an hour and Jim is in charge of opening and closing the door.

Anyway.  The park features a cave that was discovered in 1974 by two cavers.  The cavers told the property owners; they all kept it a secret from the public for 14 years, when the landowners sold the property to the state.  The area is now an Arizona state park with cave tours, hiking, camping and a good visitors' center.

Unfortunately for us, we won't get to tour one of the few pristine caves in the country as the tours are sold out for the next few days.  But the park has a couple of good hikes, so we'll try them out.

Our spot at Kartchner Caverns State Park is on the edge of the campground, which we like as it gives us an open view.

 

I briefly parked our car in a nearby empty camping spot while we were hooking up our rig.  I'm glad we didn't get this spot, because our rig door would have opened up to this big prickly pear cactus.

This group of kids was singing at the visitors' center. It looked like they had toured the cave and sang as a "thank you."

 

 

 

Bev on a trail between the campground and the visitors' center.