We liked what Voyager Encore RV Resort had to offer when we came for 2 nights back in November, but the weather wasn’t conducive to much time outside. Nor were activities in full swing yet–especially pickleball! Therefore, we decided to stop by for two more nights on our return trip to the San Diego area. What a difference!
We arrived about 11:20 on Monday. As we drove to our site I thought I could see people playing pickleball. After we parked and got set up, I went directly to the pickleball courts. Barry wondered what took me so long! LOL. I was afraid they might be about done playing for the day, so I better get over to the courts quickly. There were a few still there, and I was able to play a couple quick games with them. They told me I should play with the 3.5 level that starts up at 12:45. What?? There is more play happening!! I walked over to sign in. Today’s format was t0 sign up as partners, and play a round robin of 6 games against 6 different sets of partners. John said he’d be my partner. Sweet! There were 44 people who formed 22 partner teams. We used 11 courts! It was so much fun!
As the 3.5 level group finished, 3.0 level players arrived for two hours of the type of round robin format. Karen needed a partner. I said I would be her partner so she could play, but if someone else showed up, that that person should take my place. No one showed up, so I played the entire round robin with this group. I was exhausted that night!
Tuesday, I went out about 9:30 and saw the 3.5’s were playing an “open style”. I played till about 11-ish. After grabbing some lunch and getting dinner started on “slow cook”, I went back to play with the 3.5 ladies at 12:30 in a regular Round Robin. When that was over about 2 PM, I went over to courts 1-4 where the 3.5-4.0+ play. You are to be officially rated to play on these courts, but since they needed one more, I got to play. I held my own. I had so much fun!! I had to put my blinders on to get home without playing any more. I am so used to playing till there is no one left to play with -even “skinny singles”. WOW–NOT here! You could easily play ALL DAY LONG!! People have been so nice. Sorry we won’t be here any longer. I was too busy playing pickleball both days, and didn’t think to take any pictures!
While relaxin’ in the large jacuzzi, Barry and I shared our thoughts with each other about Voyager and how it compares to Viewpoint RV & Golf Resort in Mesa, AZ (VP). We LOVED being at VP last winter for Feb-Mar-April. I do miss all the friends I made there. But these 16 dedicated pickleball courts here are spectacular, and the level of play is great! VP has 9 courts, but is expected to increase to 13 by winter 2021. I would love to come back to Voyager for a 3 or 4-month winter stay like we did at VP in 2019 to really compare. That would also give us a chance to get a feel for the entire park and the surrounding Tucson area.
There is a pretty cool bike path called The Loop that we want to check out. It is about 60 total miles around the outer edge of Tucson, and an interconnected network of more than 130 miles of paved, car-free paths! How cool is that!?! I know there are supposedly a lot of paved bike paths in the Mesa-Scottsdale, etc areas, but we only experienced the desert mountain bike trails a few miles away from VP. I had fun one day, on the desert trails, but when we went back and the ground was drier, loose and rocky. No bueno!
A Sprouts Farmers Market and a Trader Joe’s are only about 8.6 miles from Voyager. Easy, quick access to groceries with healthier food options is important to me. Haven’t had time to check them out or anything else.