Mesa to Gold Canyon – 3 January 2023
Canyon Vista RV Resort, a Cal-Am over 55+ resort, was only 35 minutes from Mesa but what a difference in terms of location. We had a spectacular view of the Superstition mountains from our site in the overflow section just above the Wash. The resort was amazing and seemed more like an all-inclusive resort. Filled with RVs and several really nice small homes, there seemed to be as many Canadians as Americans.
As soon as had the fifth wheel set up, we all went for lunch at the onsite restaurant. It was in an area where there was a large pool and hot tub, several Pickleball courts, a bocce bowling green and an area with a stage, tables and chairs, firepits, a dance floor and a stage. We later discovered more Pickleball courts, fitness centre, hobby rooms, massage rooms, baseball courts, lapidary, a second pool and hot tub and several dog parks. This was going to be a great two weeks.
Lucy stayed with us a couple more days before reluctantly leaving for Victoria. Before she went we went on a nice hike called Treasure loop in the Lost Dutchman State Park. We also visited Goldfield Ghost Town and did some shopping as well as visited the onsite reptile park where we saw several snakes, spiders and scorpions.
After Lucy left we did several more hikes in the area. One was on a trail in the Silly Mountain Park, one was on the Hieroglypic Canyon trail in Gold Canyon and finally a real tough hike to Praying Hands from alongside Lost Dutchman Park. The scenery in the parks was spectacular with the landscape dotted with Saguaro, Cholla and other species of cacti.
We made good use of the pool, hot tub and restaurant drink service around the pool and Jax was able to socialize with lots of dogs in the dog park. It seemed the best way to meet people was to go to the hot tub where you had no choice but to look at each other and strike up a conversation. There was a very active, social, younger community with live music at least 3 times a week and several other organized activity. We signed up for Rib night and had a lovely supper followed by dancing. The weather was fairly warm when we arrived but we did experience a few days of continuous rain and later on a cold snap.
On the Saturday before we left, we drove to Tortilla Flats which is the last stagecoach post on the Apache Trail. The scenic drive to Torilla Flats was amazing. Tortilla Flats was buzzing with tourists. It was a tiny little western tourist town with a couple of general stores, a museum and a restaurant that had live music. We looked around a bit and then bought a prickly pear gelato from the store. Was quite refreshing. Both the store walls and the passage leading to the washrooms were plastered with signed dollar bills. The washroom stalls were gaily painted with can-can girls. We felt very spoilt staying at Canyon Vista and sad to leave. We can understand why people would buy a house or travel here in their RV and say for the full winter. There is so much to do both inside and outside of the resort. Everything is close including a supermarket, restaurants, medical centre, coffee shop, ice cream etc. Maybe in a few years when we are tired of travelling we might consider doing the same, but then again there might be many resorts that we come across like this one as we continue our travels.
