I've started a new blog highlighting things to do in Tucson and Southern AZ. Snowbird seasonis upon us and there fun things to do all winter-I'll try to keep up with them.
Judy,
My wife would like to attend the big Gem Fest (specifically for her bead jewelry supplies) in Tucson. We will be limited to a weekend trip. Which weekend would you suggest and which site(s) would give her the largest variety to choose from ?
Also, best place to stay in the RV for the show.
Thank you,
Judy the Other said
10:35 AM Nov 25, 2008
Hey Bear,
The Gem Show, "my hands are shaky and my knees are weak" just at the mention. There is so much at that show it's unbelievable. Gems, fossils, jewelry of all kinds, rugs, furniture, jewelry findings, art. If you haven't been before here's a brief rundown. There is a Main Show at the Tucson Convention Center. Here you will find the best of the best and some amazing rocks nad jewelry. It's worth seeing for the wow factor but a bit rich for my blood. The best shows are all around the central to west side of Tucson (I-10 Corridor which is under construction) where dealers set-up in the hotels both inside and outside. If you have a business you can get a dealers tag and go to the pre-show sales and the dealer tag will get you into wholesale only shows.
If you're not a business, never fear, there is plenty to see, do and buy. I always go to the shows around Tucson Electric Park and always spend money. If beads are your thing, it appears that the bead shows (yes plural) will all be around the first weekend in Feb. Here's a pretty good calendar: Tucson Gem Shows
Where to stay? It will be interesting to see how the economy affects the show. People come from around the globe to buy and sell and they ship tons of wares. Usually places fill early and Feb is high season. In an RV I would suggest, in no particular order: Catalina State Park, Justin's Diamond J, Rincon Country or Desert Trails. Further east, but very accessible to I-10, is Voyager RV Resort. This would not be far from the shows that are more central to east (Tucson Electric Park and the surrounding shows). A little farther east but still with decent I-10 access is Cactus Country. This list gives you a variety of choices in amenities and prices. I would stay in any of them. Beaudry RV has a Resort but he just filed Chapter 11 so don't know what the case will be in Feb.
Good luck and save those pennies for all those pretty, shiny things!
Ed. to add: When to go? I usually like to go the last weekend because the vendors tend to mark things down to save packing and shipping-however that's large stuff and some vendors are gone by the last weekend. I
Judy
-- Edited by Judy the Other at 10:54, 2008-11-25
-- Edited by Judy the Other at 10:57, 2008-11-25
Judy said
03:04 PM Nov 25, 2008
We went to the Gem Show at the Convention Center when we stayed at Desert Trails two yrs ago. I must say that if you have never been to a BIG gem show it is a must to see at least once in your lifetime. We never realized it is much more than looking at rocks!! They even had a big piece of gold there with guards! southwestjudy
subra1228 said
02:24 PM Nov 26, 2008
Thanks for sharing, Judy!
We'll be in southern Arizona this January & February, so I apprecaite the information.
Hubby and I are travelling to Tucson today from New Mexico. We're planning on spending the winter there and was wondering if anyone could recommend an RV park. Hubby and I are both younger than 55 so looks like that eliminates a lot of options. We prefer a swimming pool, hot tub, and close to hiking trails. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving.
Colleen
Luvglass said
02:51 PM Nov 30, 2008
We've stayed at Western Way, Catalina State Park, Voyager RV Resort and Justin's Diamond J RV Park. All are nice, but different. I would suggest you do a search on RV Park Reviews
http://www.rvparkreviews.com/ and see what others think.
There are many more parks in the area and you have a lot to choose from. Choices vary from remote parks in the desert to huge parks with all kinds of activities. There's something for eveyrone's taste.
Enjoy, it's a great area.
Judy the Other said
08:02 PM Dec 1, 2008
Voyager certainly has a those amenities and more. They did have an age rule but it was one person in a couple had to be a certain age but the other did not. I looked on the website and couldn;t find anything definitive. Call them and see.
Whoops, looks like you're already here. Hope you found something good.
Tucson Snowbird
Judy
-- Edited by Judy the Other at 15:22, 2008-11-24
The Gem Show, "my hands are shaky and my knees are weak" just at the mention. There is so much at that show it's unbelievable. Gems, fossils, jewelry of all kinds, rugs, furniture, jewelry findings, art. If you haven't been before here's a brief rundown. There is a Main Show at the Tucson Convention Center. Here you will find the best of the best and some amazing rocks nad jewelry. It's worth seeing for the wow factor but a bit rich for my blood. The best shows are all around the central to west side of Tucson (I-10 Corridor which is under construction) where dealers set-up in the hotels both inside and outside. If you have a business you can get a dealers tag and go to the pre-show sales and the dealer tag will get you into wholesale only shows.
If you're not a business, never fear, there is plenty to see, do and buy. I always go to the shows around Tucson Electric Park and always spend money. If beads are your thing, it appears that the bead shows (yes plural) will all be around the first weekend in Feb. Here's a pretty good calendar: Tucson Gem Shows
Where to stay? It will be interesting to see how the economy affects the show. People come from around the globe to buy and sell and they ship tons of wares. Usually places fill early and Feb is high season. In an RV I would suggest, in no particular order: Catalina State Park, Justin's Diamond J, Rincon Country or Desert Trails. Further east, but very accessible to I-10, is Voyager RV Resort. This would not be far from the shows that are more central to east (Tucson Electric Park and the surrounding shows). A little farther east but still with decent I-10 access is Cactus Country. This list gives you a variety of choices in amenities and prices. I would stay in any of them. Beaudry RV has a Resort but he just filed Chapter 11 so don't know what the case will be in Feb.
Good luck and save those pennies for all those pretty, shiny things!
Ed. to add: When to go? I usually like to go the last weekend because the vendors tend to mark things down to save packing and shipping-however that's large stuff and some vendors are gone by the last weekend. I
Judy
-- Edited by Judy the Other at 10:54, 2008-11-25
-- Edited by Judy the Other at 10:57, 2008-11-25
southwestjudy
We'll be in southern Arizona this January & February, so I apprecaite the information.
Suzanne
campingandtravels.blogspot.com
Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving.
Colleen
Whoops, looks like you're already here. Hope you found something good.
Judy
Judy