Coming face to face up against gunfighters when traveling in a bus is not something we usually look forward to. However, in October 2024, everyone loved visiting Tombstone, the town of the O.K. Corral, where the famous gunfight occurred.  It pitted lawmen against members of a loosely organized group of cattle rustlers and horse thieves called the Cowboys on October 26, 1881.

The weather in Southeastern Arizona has improved after a year of unseasonably warm temperatures. Still, the lingering heat didn’t stop the folks of BCRT (Bus Conversion Road Travelers) from having a great time during the 2^nd Annual 2024 St. David/Tombstone Arizona rally in October. 

In all, 14 buses showed up at The Lakes at St. David RV Resort, making it the largest rally of 2024 after the Quartzsite rally in January. Not to brag, but dadgum, we had a great time, and a great location like The Lakes makes it easy to enjoy the surrounding area. It is a beautiful RV resort, and we parked on the lake. 

It’s not unusual to hear someone make the comment that they had no real idea there were so many things to see and do in southeastern Arizona. It is not just the well-known town of Tombstone and its famous shootouts, boardwalk shops, old stagecoaches, cowboys roaming the streets, and eateries, but the area also has a mining history that offers guided tours of some noteworthy mines. 

Cochise Last Stand Monument is on the way to Chiricahua National Monument Park, which offers sightseeing and some of the best hiking Arizona has to offer. Let’s not forget that Arizona produces great pistachios. We got an operational peek, and almost everyone purchased fresh pistachios at Summit Nut Company to enjoy back at the campground.

Some of us traveled a few extra miles back toward Tucson to visit the Air and Space Museum, which received stellar reviews. Breakout groups also had countless other excursions that were enjoyed by all.

Movie nights among the coaches were a hit, and you can’t have movie night near Tombstone without viewing the movie Tombstone outdoors while enjoying hot buttered popcorn. 

Of course, we fed ourselves well while here! From the traditional “Potluck” dinners to morning sourdough waffles, Pat Wilson offered up; of course, many of the group lent a hand to feed 30 people. We also snuck in fresh fruit Parfaits one morning, sponsored by Judy McDaniel. 

Auntie Judy and Unca Chuck McDaniel also invited the whole group to their place nearby to enjoy Baked Potatoes right from the smoker, along with a vast variety of “Fixins.” Afterward, a surprise treat was had: fresh home-made Ice cream with peaches grown here on the McDaniel “Farm.”

If this report doesn’t make you feel like you missed out, I don’t know what else to say except that BCRT is a great group of friendly Bus Nuts and we look forward to having you join us at one of our upcoming rallies. Please come visit us at one of our upcoming rallies, and you won’t miss out.

Our next rally is in Quartzsite, Arizona, in January 2025. For more information about this annual rally, visit the BCM Events page here.