[♪ THEME MUSIC ♪] >>> COMING UP NEXT ON "ARIZONA HORIZON," THE FDA GIVES PRELIMINARY APPROVAL FOR A NEW OPIOID, DESPITE THE ON-GOING OPIOID CRISIS.

AND WHAT DO ENVIRONMENTALISTS WANT TO SEE FROM THE UP-COMING LEGISLATIVE SESSION?

THOSE STORIES NEXT ON "ARIZONA HORIZON."

>>> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "ARIZONA HORIZON."

I'M TED SIMONS.

STATE-WIDE OFFICE HOLDERS WERE SWORN IN TODAY AT THE STATE CAPITOL.

THE INAUGURATION CEREMONIES INCLUDED GOVERNOR DOUG DUCEY AND FIVE OTHERS.

FOR THE GOVERNOR THIS WILL BE HIS SECOND TERM.

AMONG THE NEW FACES SWORN IN TODAY, KATIE HOBBS, AND MORE.

>> TODAY I RECOMMIT TO BE A GOVERNOR FOR ALL OF THE PEOPLE, CIVILITY AND COLLABORATION WILL CARRY US FORWARD.

THIS ISN'T WASHINGTON, D.C.

HERE WE KNOW EACH OTHER.

NAME-CALLING AND GAME-PLAYING DON'T WORK.

GOOD FAITH, AND GOODWILL DO.

>> IT IS A FRESH NEW YEAR, AND THE START OF A NEW TIME IN ARIZONA.

A TIME FOR US TO MOVE PAST PARTISAN POLITICS, AND GO BEYOND SCORES POLITICAL POINTS.

THIS DAY IS ABOUT OUR VERY HIGHEST AND PROUDEST RESPONSIBILITY, CREATING A TRANSPARENT GOVERNMENT THAT WORKS FOR ALL OF US.

>> I AM HONORED TO BECOME THE FIRST ASIAN AMERICAN ELECTED TO THIS GREAT OFFICE IN THIS GREAT STATE.

[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] >> AND I AM ALSO THE FIRST CHINESE AMERICAN REPUBLICAN WOMAN ELECTED TO STATE-WIDE OFFICE IN OUR ENTIRE COUNTRY'S HISTORY.

>> OUR NUMBER 1 PRIORITY IS TO RESTORE THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO BE AN AGENCY OF SERVICE, BECAUSE IT IS THE -- THE MAIN PRIORITY AND THE MAIN RESPONSIBILITY OF THE AGENCY TO BE PROVIDING GUIDANCE AND RESOURCES TO EDUCATORS AND FAMILIES.

>>> THE START OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND THE GOVERNOR'S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS ARE SET FOR NEXT MONDAY.

>>> THE FDA GAVE PRELIMINARY APPROVAL TO DSUVIA.

HERE WITH MORE ON THIS NEW DRUG AND THE CONCERNS IT BRINGS PEGGY CHASE, CEO OF TERROS HEALTH, A DRUG-ADDICTION RECOVERY AND HEALTH ORGANIZATION.

GOOD TO HAVE YOU BACK.

>> GOOD TO SEE YOU, AGAIN.

THANK YOU.

>> WHAT IS DEE -- DESOOUFIA.

>> IT'S IN THE FENTANYL FAMILY.

IT IS STRONGER THAN FENTANYL, AND IT HAS NEWLY BEEN RELEASED AND THE GOAL HAS BEEN TO UTILIZE IT WITH PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXTREME SEVERE PAIN, AND IT WAS CREATED FOR INDIVIDUALS COMING OFF OF THE BATTLEFIELD WITH SEVERE INJURIES.

>> SO THIS IS A THOUSAND TIMES MORE POWERFUL THAN MORPHINE, AND TEN TIMES MORE POWERFUL THAN FENTANYL, WHICH IS A PROBLEM IN AND OF ITSELF, CORRECT?

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> SO WHY IS THIS NECESSARY?

>> WELL, I DON'T REALLY KNOW THE ANSWER TO WHY IT'S NECESSARY.

I THINK WITH IT BEING APPROVED THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF RESTRICTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN PUT UPON IT, AND I KNOW THERE ARE CASES WITH -- LIKE SEVERE CANCER, WHERE THERE'S A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF PAIN, THIS MIGHT BE APPRECIATE, HOWEVER, THERE ARE CONCERNS IN INTRODUCING ANOTHER OPIOID INTO OUR ENVIRONMENT.

SO IT'S ACTUALLY A SUBLINGUAL -- HOW YOU TAKE IT, IT GOES UNDER THE TONGUE, AND THERE ARE RESTRICTIONS THAT SAYS IT CAN ONLY BE DONE IN A HOSPITAL, SINGLE DOSE, AND ONLY WITHIN 72 HOURS CAN IT BE REGIVEN.

>> AND DOES THAT NECESSARILY MEAN THAT IT IS THAT MUCH MORE ADDICTIVE?

>> I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT.

ON THE ADDICTION SIDE.

HOWEVER, WHAT WE KNOW IS WE GO UP IN POTENCY THAT THE RISK OF OVERDOSE DEFINITELY INCREASES.

>> BECAUSE PEOPLE AREN'T AWARE OF HOW MUCH THEY ARE TAKING.

>> CORRECT.

>> AGAIN, BATTLEFIELD SITUATIONS, EMERGENCY ROOM TRAUMA CENTERS, THE KIND OF PAIN THAT OTHER ANALGESICS JUST DON'T HANDLE, CORRECT?

>> CORRECT.

>> AND IT IS AVAILABLE NOW?

>> IT HAS BEEN APPROVED THROUGH THE FDA SUBCOMMITTEE.

SO IT STILL HAS TO GO THROUGH FULL APPROVAL.

BUT IT IS USED TODAY TO ANNESTSIZE PEOPLE.

>> OH, MY GOODNESS.

WOW.

AND AGAIN, THIS -- SOME OF THE RESTRICTIONS, CAN'T BE SOLD IN RETAIL PHARMACIES AND NOT AVAILABLE FOR RETAIL USE?

FENTANYL IS THE SAME WAY?

>> IT'S NOT.

>> IT'S NOT?

>> NO.

>> TALK TO US ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE?

>> FENTANYL IS MORE AVAILABLE.

I'M GOING TO GO TO THE NON-MEDICAL SIDE OF FENTANYL, BECAUSE IT IS HUGE ON THE BLACK MARKET, AND WITH THE BLACK MARKET, THEY ACTUALLY EMULATE THE PRODUCT AND HAVE SYNTHETIC PRODUCTS OF THAT.

AND A LOT OF WHAT HE TALK ABOUT THE STATISTICS FROM THE CURRENT OPIOID OVERDOZES MANY OF THOSE ARE DUE TO FENTANYL OR OXYCODONE THAT IS FENTANYL LACED.

>> SO IT'S PROBABLY A QUESTION OF WHEN AND NOT IF THIS STUFF GETS PUT ON THE BLACK MARKET AS WELL?

>> CORRECT.

YES.

>> SO, LET'S TALK ABOUT OTHER THINGS -- IT CAN'T BE USED FOR MORE THAN 72 HOURS.

THERE IS A RISK EVALUATION AND MITIGATION STRATEGY.

FROM WHERE YOU SIT AND FROM WHAT YOU DO, IS THAT ENOUGH TO KEEP THE PUBLIC AT LARGE PROTECTED FROM SOMETHING THAT SOUNDS LIKE IT IS JUST WAITING TO EXPLODE IN YOUR SYSTEM.

>> I THINK IT'S CONCERNING TO BE INTRODUCING ANOTHER OPIOID INTO OUR ENVIRONMENT.

I THINK THIS IS ONE TIME WHEN THE FDA HAS AT LEAST ATTEMPTED TO PUT A LOT OF RESTRICTIONS ON A MEDICATION.

I DON'T THINK WE HAVE SEEN THESE KIND OF RESTRICTIONS BEFORE AROUND THAT PARTICULAR PIECE, BUT WITH THE CRISIS WE CURRENTLY HAVE, IT'S DISCONCERTING.

>> AND SOME SAY THE FDA MAY HAVE ABDOE INDICATED ITS RESPONSIBILITY.

DO YOU AGREE WITH THAT?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

WHEN YOU THINK OF SOMEBODY WITH CANCER IN EXTREME PAIN, IT'S HEART-WRENCHING TO WATCH THAT, AND IF THIS WOULD HELP TO MITIGATE THAT, THAT'S A LITTLE HARD TO SAY WE SHOULDN'T DO THIS AT ALL.

BUT WE'RE SEEING OUR TEENS AND YOUNG PEOPLE THAT ARE DIEING FROM OVERDOSES FROM OPIOIDS, AND SPECIFICALLY FENTANYL, SO IF WE ADD SUFENTANYL TO THAT, THAT IS GOING TO INCREASE OUR OVERDOSE CHANCES.

>> IS IT A GROWING CRISIS, OR HAVE WE TURNED A CORNER DO YOU THINK?

>> WE'RE STARTING TO SEE THE NUMBERS ARE NOT GOING UP AT THE SAME RATE.

THE OVERDOSE DEATHS SEEM TO BE GOING UP, BUT IT HAS BEEN STABILIZING SOME.

SO WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS THAT OUR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS PUT QUITE A BIT OF FUNDING INTO TREATMENT AND TO HELP PEOPLE GET OFF OF OPIOIDS.

OUR STATE HAS TAKEN A VERY AGGRESSIVE AND PROACTIVE STANCE AROUND THAT, AND OUR GOVERNOR WAS THE FIRST, IN NOT ONE OF THE FIRST IN THE NATION FOR MEDICAID AND THE USE OF OPIOIDS WITH MEDICAID TO RESTRICT THE USED TO 7 DAYS.

AND THEN, OUR OWN DOCTOR WITH THE ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES, SHE -- SHE HAS JUST BEEN LAUNCHING -- JUST OVER THE HOLIDAYS A NEW CAMPAIGN FOR OUR YOUTH THAT IS GETTING IN IS EASIER THAN GETTING OUT, SO IT'S A CAMPAIGN WITH COMMERCIALS THAT THAT, THAT ARE HOPEFULLY TO HELP PREVENT OUR YOUTH FROM USING OPIOIDS.

>> WHEN SOMEONE IS ON THESE THINGS, THE PROBLEM IS, IT HAS GRABBED HOLD OF YOU.

YOU ARE STUCK.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR SOMEONE TO FINALLY BREAK FREE OF THIS.

>> WE CALL THAT RECOVERY, WHEN YOU -- WHEN YOU OVERCOME AN ADDICTION, AND IT'S A HARD ROAD.

IT'S A HARD PROCESS, AND A FEW THINGS AROUND IT -- I LOVE THIS QUESTION, SO THANK YOU.

TREATMENT DOES WORK, AND I KNOW FOR FAMILIES WITH LOVED ONES THAT ARE SUFFERING FROM OPIOID ADDICTIONS, IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE THAT AND WALK THROUGH THAT.

WE HAVE SEEN THE INDUCTION OF A MEDICATION, WHICH ACTUALLY HELPS PEOPLE GET OFF OF THE OPIOIDS, AND IT HELPS TO REDUCE THAT -- WHERE YOU DON'T HAVE AS MUCH OF THE EFFECTS OF GETTING OFF OF IT, AND SO WE'VE SEEN MANY PEOPLE LIVES HAVE BEEN SAVED AND THEY HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL AT GETTING OFF OF OPIOIDS THROUGH USING THESE DRUGS.

AND PEOPLE NEED TO BE GOING THROUGH TREATMENTS BECAUSE THIS HAS CHANGED THE CONNECTIONS IN THEIR BRAIN, AND THERE IS WORK THAT HAS TO BE DONE.

WE TALK ABOUT RELAPSE, AND THAT'S COMMON WHEN SOMEBODY IS TRYING TO KICK AN ADDICTION, AND TO FIND THEIR WAY INTO RECOVERY, AND WE'RE A COMPANY THAT SAYS COME BACK.

WE'LL HELP YOU.

WE'RE HERE FOR YOU, BECAUSE WE KNOW THE ROAD IS HARD TO REACH THAT RECOVERY.

>> LET'S HOPE THE ROAD DOESN'T GET ANY MORE DIFFICULT WITH THIS DRUG OUT THERE.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> COMING UP WHAT ENVIRONMENTALISTS WOULD LIKE TO SEE FROM THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

>>> WE HAVE RECENTLY BEEN SPEAKING WITH ADVOCATES OF CERTAIN ISSUES TO HEAR WHAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE FROM THE UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

TONIGHT WE FOCUS ON ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES, AND JOINING US IS SANDY BAHR, DIRECTOR OF THE SIERRA CLUB'S GRAND CANYON CHAPTER.

GOOD TO HAVE YOU BACK.

>> GREAT TO BE HERE.

>> IT'S A THAT TIME OF YEAR -- >> YES, IT IS.

>> -- WHEN I ASK FOR YOUR TOP PRIORITY FOR THE UPCOMING SESSION, KNOWING FULL WELL IT IS GOING TO BE HARD TO GET THAT EVEN HEARD.

>> YES, WELL, FIRST OF ALL, WE WOULD LIKE TO STOP BAD THINGS FROM HAPPENING, AND THAT HAS BEEN VERY CHALLENGING IN RECENT YEARS.

THERE'S BEEN AN EROSION OF IMPORTANT ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTIONS, AND SO WE WANT TO STOP THAT, AND WE THINK WE HAVE A BETTER SHOT AT DOING IT THIS YEAR.

THERE'S A VERY CLOSE MARGIN, 31-29 IN THE HOUSE, AND HOPING THAT THAT CAN HELP US KEEP IN CHECK THE LEGISLATURE AS FAR AS BAD THINGS HAPPENING, AND AS FAR AS GOOD THINGS, WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOMETHING POSITIVE ON WATER, AND THAT -- WELL, IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN.

THE DROUGHT CONTINGENCY PLAN IS GOING TO BE A BIG PART OF THE DISCUSSION AT THE LEGISLATURE.

OF COURSE THERE'S NO AGREEMENT -- OR NO PROPOSAL -- >> YEAH, THERE'S KIND OF LIKE AN AGREEMENT HERE WAITING FOR A HANDSHAKE, WAITING FOR A SIGNATURE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS AGREEMENT SO FAR?

>> WELL, I THINK THE AGREEMENT DOES EXACTLY WHAT THE GOVERNMENT SAID THEY DON'T WANT TO DO, AND THAT IS JUST KICK THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD.

THERE IS NO PLAN FOR WHAT HAPPENS AFTER 2026.

THEY ARE PROPOSING TO NOT ONLY NOT LIMIT GROUNDWATER PUMPING, BUT ACTUALLY FACILITATE IT BY HELPING TO BUILD INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE COUNTY FARMERS.

THE CAP -- ONE OF THE REASONS THE CENTRAL ARIZONA PROJECT WAS BUILT WAS -- WAS TO HELP LIMIT GROUNDWATER PUMPING, AND NOW THEY ARE GOING TO HELP WITH IT, AND SO -- AND ABOVE ALL, THERE'S REALLY NOTHING IN IT THAT HELPS THE RIVERS.

IT DOESN'T HELP THE COLORADO RIVER.

IT DOESN'T HELP OUR OTHER RIVERS, AND THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS LAST YEAR, AND THIS YEAR, AGAIN, WE ARE PROPOSING AN ECOLOGICAL WATER BILL, BASICALLY THAT WOULD ALLOW FOR KEEPING WATER IN OUR RIVERS, AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT IS DESPERATELY NEEDED IN ARIZONA.

>> I SAW THE ECOLOGICAL WATER IS SOMETHING THAT YOU GUYS ARE PUSHING FOR.

AND WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

>> WELL, BASICALLY IT WOULD DEFINE ECOLOGICAL WATER, AND -- AND ESTABLISH IT AS A BENEFICIAL USE.

SO RIGHT NOW PEOPLE HAVE TO USE ALL OF THEIR WATER OR IF THEY DON'T FOR FIVE YEARS, THEY LOSE THEIR WATER RIGHTS, AND IT JUST GOES TO THE NEXT PERSON IN LINE.

WITH ECOLOGICAL WATER, IF THEY DIDN'T NEED IT ALL, THEY COULD, BASICALLY, SEVER AND TRANSFER SOME OF IT TO STAY IN THE RIVER.

WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT WAKING AWAY ANYONE'S WATER.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TRYING TO PROVIDE A MECHANISM TO LEAVE MORE WATER IN OUR RIVERS.

THE RIVERS ARE DRYING UP WHEN THEY NEVER USED TO.

THERE ARE ALL KINDS OF ISSUES ON THE VERDE, SO WE THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THERE OUGHT TO BE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR.

>> WATER BANKING IN A WAY, THEN?

>> YEAH, BUT KEEPING IT IN THE RIVER, NOT PUTTING IT -- >> YEAH, YEAH.

BUT STILL HAVING RIGHTS TO IT.

STRENGTHENING ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SEE FROM THE LEGISLATURE -- WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SEE, AND WHAT DO YOU THINK IS REALISTIC THAT YOU WILL SEE REGARDING PROTECTING ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS?

>> WELL, I THINK THE LEGISLATURE OUGHT TO BE TAKING ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE.

WE HAVE HAD SO MANY REPORTS OUT AND -- YOU KNOW, IN 2018, THERE WAS THE NATIONAL CLIMATE ASSESSMENT.

AGAIN, THE PREDICTIONS AND WHAT WE'RE SEEING ALREADY, YOU KNOW, MORE HEAT WAVES, MORE INTENSE DROUGHT, MORE INTENSE FIRES, LESS WATER FLOWING IN THE RIVERS, LESS SNOW PACK, ALL OF THESE THINGS, WE NOT ONLY NEED TO DO A BETTER JOB OF PREPARING, BUT LET'S DO OUR PART TO MITIGATE IT AND REDUCE EMISSIONS.

AND THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE COULD VERY EASILY SAY, YOU KNOW WHAT, ARIZONA NEEDS A CLIMATE PLAN.

WE NEED A PLAN TO REDUCE EMISSIONS FROM POWER PLANTS, TO REDUCE EMISSION FROM CARS.

WE COULD ADOPT CLEAN CARS STANDARDS, AND THAT IS A BILL THAT WILL BE INTRODUCED AGAIN.

>> WASN'T THAT LAST SESSION?

WAS THAT INTRODUCED LAST SESSION AS WELL?

>> IT WAS.

>> WHAT HAPPENED TO THAT?

>> IT HAD A HEARING, BUT WAS NEVER VOTED ON.

THE NEW -- SOON TO BE NEW SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE DID NOT LET IT OUT OF COMMITTEE.

>> FOR ACADEMIC PURPOSES, CLEANER CARS IN WHAT WAY?

>> IT ESTABLISHES STANDARDS FOR GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS.

YOU HAVE MORE ZERO EMISSION VEHICLES.

IT ALSO HELPS WITH OUR OZONE PROBLEM.

WE DID HAVE A CLEAN CAR STANDARD IN PLACE WHEN JANET WAS GOVERNOR, AND WHEN JAN BREWER BECOME GOVERNOR IT WAS REPEALED.

SO NOW THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COULDN'T EVEN DO THAT, BECAUSE THE LEGISLATURE HAS RESTRICTED WHAT THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY CAN DO RELATIVE TO CLIMATE CHANGE.

>> YEAH.

ALL RIGHT.

AND I GUESS I WONDER HOW MUCH THIS LEGISLATURE IN ARIZONA CAN DO TO MITIGATE CLIMATE CHANGE?

>> WE CAN DO OUR PART.

AND THAT'S -- THAT'S IMPORTANT.

ALL -- RIGHT NOW, WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, WHERE IT'S AT, AND -- WITH THE PRESIDENT TRUMP, YOU KNOW, NOT ONLY DENYING BUT GETTING IN THE WAY OF ACTIONS ON CLIMATE CHANGE, IT'S IMPORTANT THAT STATES DO THEIR PART, AND USUALLY, IF YOU HAVE ENOUGH STATES ACTING, EVENTUALLY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL TAKE ACTION TOO.

BUT THE BIG THING IS FOR THE LEGISLATURE TO REMOVE SOME OF THESE BARRIERS.

LET ME DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY DO THINGS TO REDUCE EMISSIONS.

PUT IN PLACE THESE CLEANER CAR STANDARDS.

THAT WILL NOT ONLY HELP WITH CLIMATE CHANGE, BUT IT WILL HELP US WITH OZONE LEVELS, AND THAT'S A REAL PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE.

I WOULD ALSO ADD THAT CLIMATE CHANGE IS A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY, AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT THEY HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO ADDRESS.

WE HAVE TO LOOK AT WAYS TO LIMIT THE IMPACTS OF HEAT, FOR EXAMPLE.

EVERY YEAR PEOPLE DIE FROM HEAT EMERGENCIES.

WE'RE GOING TO SEE MORE OF THAT.

>> YOU MENTIONED IN THE BEGINNING THAT YOU ARE CONSTANTLY PLAYING DEFENSE AS OPPOSED TO MAKING SURE -- BAD STUFF DOESN'T HAPPEN AS OPPOSED TO PUSHING THE GOOD STUFF.

DO YOU SEE AS MUCH DEFENSE THIS GO AROUND AS IN PREVIOUS YEARS?

>> IT'S TOO SOON TO TELL, REALLY.

OF COURSE THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT HAVE ALREADY GONE THROUGH, SO THEY ARE NOT GOING TO GO AFTER THEM AGAIN.

BUT I THINK THAT THERE STILL WILL BE A FAIR AMOUNT, AND WE ALSO WORK ON THE DEMOCRACY ISSUES, INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM, AND EFFORTS TO MAKE LOADING MORE DIFFICULT.

WE'LL BE OPPOSING THOSE TYPES OF EFFORTS AS WELL, SO I -- I'M HOPEFUL -- I'M CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC THAT THERE WILL BE A LITTLE BIT LESS DEFENSE, AND THAT MAYBE A FEW OF THESE ISSUES WILL MOVE FORWARD, AND WE CAN AT LEAST HAVE SOME REASONABLE CONVERSATIONS, ABOUT NOT JUST RESPONDING TO WHATEVER THE CRISIS IS ON WATER, BUT REALLY PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE AND TALKING ABOUT, HEY, FLOWING RIVERS ARE IMPORTANT FROM AN ENVIRONMENTAL PERSPECTIVE, BUT THEY ARE IMPORTANT TO OUR ECONOMY AS WELL.

>> ALL RIGHT, SANDY BAHR, SIERRA CLUB.

GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

>>> FOR MANY SENIORS, TAKING A TRIP INCLUDES HOPPING INTO AN RV.

PRODUCER SHANA FISCHER, AND PHOTOGRAPHER, JUAN MAGANA FOUND OUT WHAT IS DRIVING ONE COUPLE'S ENJOYMENT OF THE RV LIFESTYLE.

>> HONEY, COME HERE.

I WANTED TO SHOW YOU THIS PLACE RIGHT HERE, ROCKLAND -- >> YEAH.

>> WE JUST GOT A RESERVATION HERE.

>> THEY ARE MAKING THE MOST OF THEIR RETIREMENT YEARS.

>> IT'S JUST LIKE BEING IN EUROPE, SO THEY SAY.

>> PLANNING A TRIP THAT WILL HAVE THEM ON THE ROAD FOR FOUR AND A HALF MONTHS IN AN RV.

THEIR ROAD-TRIPPING LIFESTYLE BEGAN A FEW WEEKS BACK.

PHILIP HAD A MULTI-DAY RACE IN IOWA, AND THE IDEA OF CAMPING ALONG THE WAY DIDN'T APPEAL TO HIM.

SO THEY RENTED AN RV AND LOVED IT.

>> TWO MONTHS LATER, WE BOUGHT AN RV SIGHT UNSEEN.

>> I THINK WE HAVE BEEN TO PROBABLY ABOUT 30 STATES SO FAR.

WE HAVE A STICKER MAP ON THE BACK OF OUR RV WHERE WE CAN PUT THE STATES THAT WE VISITED.

IT IS OUR GOAL TO GET ALL OF THE 48 CONTINUOUS STATES.

>> THEY ARE PART OF A GROWING TREND OF SENIORS WHO ARE OPTING TO TRAVEL BY ROAD.

>> I LIKE THE FREEDOM AND THE SEEING THE PARTS OF THE COUNTRY THAT YOU JUST WOULD NEVER SEE IF YOU FLEW INTO CHICAGO FOR TWO WEEKS, OR YOU FLEW INTO SAN FRANCISCO.

YOU JUST GET BACK INTO THE HEART OF THE COUNTRY, AND YOU SEE PLACES, NATIONAL PARKS, AND STATE PARKS, THAT GETTING TO FROM A RENT-A-CAR -- NOT THAT IT'S IMPOSSIBLE, BUT YOU JUST CAN'T IMMERSE YOURSELF INTO IT.

>> Reporter: SALES FOR RVS JUMPED NEARLY 60% IN 2017.

AND THESE AREN'T THE RVS OF YESTER-YEAR.

SMALLER ONES START OUT AT ABOUT 40 TO $60,000, AND LARGER ONES CAN REACH A STAGGERING $2 MILLION WHEN FULLY LOADED.

THE MILLER'S RV HAS A LIVING SPACE, KITCHEN, BEDROOM, AND BATHROOM, AND EVEN THREE TVS.

>> IT FEELS LIKE HOME, AND THAT'S REALLY WHY WE LOVE IT, BECAUSE YOU OUTFIT YOUR RV BASICALLY TO BE A SMALLER MIRROR OF WHAT YOU HAVE AT HOME, SO OUR MATTRESS IS THE SAME KIND WE HAVE AT HOME.

WE HAVE THE SAME COFFEE MAKER.

WE HAVE OUR COMFORTABLE RECLINERS TO RELAX IN, AND YOU TAKE ALL OF YOUR THINGS WITH YOU, BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT LIMITED TO ONE 50-POUND SUITCASE.

SO WE HAVE THE RV COMPLETELY OUTFITTED SO IT IS LITERALLY LIKE A ROLLING VERSION OF HOME.

>> BUT THE MAJOR REASON THEY PICKED IT?

THE DRIVABILITY.

>> YOU GET USED TO DRIVING ANYTHING.

OURS IS WHAT THEY CALL A LARGE CLASS C, BUT IF YOU HAVE DRIVEN A U-HAUL OR LARGE VAN, THEY ARE NOT THAT HARD TO DRIVE.

>> AN AVERAGE 5 TO 10-DAY TRIP CAN COST ANYWHERE FROM 70 TO $110 A DAY, AND THAT INCLUDES ALL OF YOUR PARK ENTRANCE FEES, AND WITH THE ADVENT OF ONLINE BANKING, WI-FI AND INCREASED CELLULAR SERVICE, IT'S EASIER THAN EVER BEFORE.

>> THEY NEED TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO GO WITH THE FLOW AND ADAPT ON THE FLY.

CERTAINLY YOU COULD RV IF YOU ARE AN UPTIGHT PERSONALITY, BUT YOU ARE NOT GOING TO ENJOY IT AS MUCH.

JUST TAKE IN WHAT COMES IS THE WAY TO GO.

>> IF YOU ARE CURIOUS ABOUT RVS, THE MILLERS HAVE A BLOG IT'S CALLED THE CHARMING ADVENTURES OF PHILIP AND TESSA.

TUESDAY ON "ARIZONA HORIZON," A NEW STATE SUPREME COURT TASK FORCE LOOKS TO IMPROVE DELIVERY OF LEGAL SERVICES AND HOW A GROUP OF LOCAL BIKERS IS HELPING PROTECT FAMILIES, CHILDREN OF CHILD ABUSE.

THAT'S TUESDAY ON "ARIZONA HORIZON."

THAT'S IT FOR NOW.

I'M TED SIMONS.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

♪♪