Arizona 2014: Desert life - A Chance of Rain and Probable Mist

Rain has always been a welcome change in the desert. We had so little of it growing up in Coolidge that we would run out to sit in our car to wait for the wall of dust and then the torrent of rain during the monsoon season. Too late for spring rains and too early for the summer monsoons, we got a few sprinkles the last week of May. According to the weather app on my phone, there was only 10% humidity...just enough to moisten the air over town. It was 92 degrees at 7:30am, but through the wonders of a "dry heat" it felt like 80 degrees. Luckily I was up early working in my mom's garden, or I might have missed the rain all together. Even caught a few sprinkles in the bird bath. The new mini-patio I built out of reclaimed bricks was the perfect spot to enjoy the brief rain.

In the afternoon we met up with my sister, Larena, and her loveable little Sawyer at the new outlet mall off of I-10 (one wrong turn and you end up at the Wild Horse Pass Casino on the Indian reservation.) The shear joy on her face when she sees her grandma is a site to behold. My sister-in-law, Summer, and niece, Annie, joined us for a misty walk around the outdoor mall. By this time, temps had reached 102 and the morning clouds had dissipated. The extra humidity from the overhead mist machines made my hair friz, but it was worth it to make the walk in the sun bearable.

After a couple of hours, Sawyer had reached her limit. Despite that, she was a sweety as we said our goodbyes and went our separate ways. 

I went home to have a dinner and a movie with my dad. A meaty chef salad from T & M Pizza for me and a tuna salad for my dad (mom would be happy) and a home viewing of "Gravity" to end the evening.

Arizona 2014: DeGrazia and San Xavier - Beautiful and Serene

Nestled in the foothills of the Catalina Mountains, the DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun is a wonder for the senses. It is filled with his paintings and sculptures of simple forms that evoke powerful emotions and gardens that inspire and rejuvenate. My mom has been a fan for as long as I can remember and I grew up appreciating his work. The gallery itself is located in his actual home, which he crafted from the land around him and his own imagination.

Our next stop was at the historic site of Fort Lowell. All that remains of this fort from the late 1800's are some of the weathered adobe walls of the hospital. The 500 year old Casa Grande Ruins are in a much better state than this old fort, but Dad loves his historical nuggets where ever he can get them.

The Mission of San Xavier del Bac stands like a brilliant mirage in the Arizona desert. I have been here several times in the past, but it still remains one of my favorite. One of the towers had been under re-construction for several years and had a glow about it... the other was patiently waiting its turn. Both this mission and the DeGrazia Gallery highlight the desert, beautiful and serene.

Arizona 2014: From Bisbee Blue to the Dusty Steets of Tombstone

 

The early morning hours invite the cool canyon breezes with a hit of jasmine in the air. I wandered up Main Street with my mom long before the shops opened to see what Bisbee had to offer willing tourists. It is nice to know the humble matryoshka has made it all the way to the antique stores of this old mining town.We saw the famed "Bisbee Blue" turquoise, but it wasn't my favorite.

 

 

Bikers seem to love Bisbee as much as the rest of us and they all appeared to gather at the Breakfast Club Café for what was reported to be the “best in town”. For this morning I traded in my normal fare of leftovers or yogurt/nuts/berries for the mouthwatering decadence of pancakes and eggs over easy. We even indulged in a serving of biscuits and gravy to share. Worth ever calorie filled bite! 

The café was located on Lowell Street, right next to the Lavender Pit copper mine. The tour was booked for the day, so we just took photos from above. With a Sprouse Ritz 5-10-25 cent store and countless motorcycle and car shops, this street was probably the place to be in its time. A few vintage cars still line the street and make for a good photo.

We checked out of our hotel and made it to Tombstone just as the Wyatt Earp Days were in full swing. It was a playground for that particular part of the population that enjoys dressing up and taking on a character for the day.There were some, however, that looked like they just stepped off the Wells Fargo Stagecoach in 1881 and were bewildered by all the commotion. Dad and I even got a history lesson at the O.K. Corral Gunfight Site.

 

We didnt have much of an appetite for dinner so we opted for the giant cobbler ala mode at the TTT truck stop cafe, Omar's. Mine was cherry and had enough ice cream swirled on top to feed an army! A sight and taste to behold!

We decided it was too early to head back to Coolidge, so we found a room at the Quality Inn & Suites, just off Oracle Rd. in Tucson. Of course, we made it just in time for Dad and I to make it to see the next installment of the X-Men movie in 3-D. It was quite a ride! Tomorrow...the De Grazia Studio and the mission at San Xavier del Bac.

 

Arizona 2014: Its All Relative

When flying between Provo and Mesa there is a very good chance you will end up sitting next to a crying baby, an old country farmer or a flirting college student. I got all three as I sat out the hour delay in the very full Allegiant Air waiting room. I do love the view of the Wasatch Front when flying out of Provo. I forget just how massive the mountains are!

View of the southern tip of Utah County

It was only 85 degrees when I arrived in Mesa. Just yesterday I was just thinking 80 degrees was rather hot. But today in Arizona, it is actually quite nice. At least it is not 100+ as it very well could be this time of year. Its all relative, I guess...especially when traveling with Jan and Steve :)

Picacho Peak

Once firmly back on Arizona soil, my parents and I headed straight down to the old mining town of Bisbee, only 8 miles north of the Mexico border. We drove past pecan orchards, Picacho Peak and the emu/ostrich farm. Dad was driving, so driver picked the songs. We started off with the 60's sounds of Simon and Garfunkel which were later taken over by Elvis's 70's hits. Dad sang along at the top of his lungs, just like I always remember him doing on road trips. Mom had packed up a cooler of sandwich fixings and leftovers and odd packets of ketchup and salsa. Old habits die hard. 

It took us just under 4 hours from Mesa to wind our way to the Copper Queen Hotel. Completed in 1902, this hotel has a lot of character. It comes complete with creaky floors (this hotel has several rooms that are rumored to be haunted), Victorian style wallpaper EVERYWHERE and a claw foot tub! It is 9:30pm and my parents have settled in for the night. With the time change, I will be up with the dawn. I hope to explore the town before the rest of the tourists ascend upon it!