Day trip to Verrado (Buckeye)
Approximately 30 minutes southwest of Surprise is a beautiful housing community known as Verrado (and Victory - a new community within the district).
A gorgeous community in the base of the White Tank Mountain Range. A very elegant and different community with unique buildings and trees and parks everywhere.
Marc had an invitation to play pickleball at the Verrado Club so we checked it out and then had lunch in the club house overlooking the valley.
Looks like a technical golf course!
Before lunch and while the pickleball was happening (not my level of play),
I admired the flowering desert.
California poppies
A reuben sandwich and a appy-sized lettuce wrap ...... the corned beef was incredible.
Off to Bisbee to pick up our favorite beans
from Bisbee Roasters.
Been ordering beans for years from the Bisbee Roasters but only while in the U.S. An order of 2 lbs or more and free shipping (usually over night).
Bisbee, founded in 1880 as a copper, gold, and silver mining town. Named in honor of Judge DeWitt Bisbee, one of the financial backers of the adjacent Copper Queen Mine.
Theatre - "Bisbee Royale"
1950-1960 saw a sharp decline in population (nearly 160 %) when open-pit mining was undertaken.
Today, "Old Bisbee" is the city known as home to a thriving downtown cultural scene. The Victorian-style housing and arts have made Bisbee popular again.
The Bisbee 1000 Stair Climb is a 5 km run through the city that traverses 1,034 stairs. The Climb includes runners being serenaded by musicians at various locations among the stairs.
There is an "Ice Man" race - designed to honor the history of men delivering blocks of ice by hand before the advent of refrigeration. In the competition, entrants race up 155 steps carrying a ten-pound block of ice with antique ice tongs.
And some colorful streets.
Original hotels . . .
The Copper Queen is one of the oldest, continually, running hotels in Bisbee (constructed from 1898 to 1902). This Hotel is known to be haunted and has been featured on at least two television paranormal investigative shows. From hearing a female voice in their ear, to seeing her dancing provocatively at the foot of the stairs - guests and staff have experienced the ghost of a woman that apparently was a prostitute who eventually took her own life in the hotel.
TUCSON
University Boulevard at University of Arizona.
Finally found parking and met up with Prem (our Pickleball Guru - teacher we first met in Oceanside, California).
Tonight, things were hopping as the UofA "Wild Cats" (basketball) were playing St. Marys - and UofA won!
The "Frog & Firkin" pub was being interviewed by local news.
BACK AT THE RANCH (west end of Tucson, backing onto the Saguaro Nat'l Forest)
(Diamond "J")
We are parked for two weeks (April 1st) out in the desert - our RV park is right beside Desert Trails - another RV park).
Have previously stayed at Desert Trails - - - this is a new addition.
Fabulous sculptures and kudos to Marty and Bill (sorry we missed you) have built a very fun mt bike obstacle course.
Love the box with the rocks - that is totally what it is like out there in places. Also the teeter and the only thing I will say - you need to add some cholla cactus' in the midst!
Food trucks now come to Desert Trails .... WOWZER!
Managed to get in on the fennel sausage pizza and pesto fries!!!!!
Have previously stayed at Desert Trails - - - this is a new addition.
Fabulous sculptures and kudos to Marty and Bill (sorry we missed you) have built a very fun mt bike obstacle course.
Love the box with the rocks - that is totally what it is like out there in places. Also the teeter and the only thing I will say - you need to add some cholla cactus' in the midst!
Food trucks now come to Desert Trails .... WOWZER!
Managed to get in on the fennel sausage pizza and pesto fries!!!!!
MISSION SAN XAVIER del BAC
En route to pickleball in Saguarhito and Green Valley - we see this off in the distance. One day we decide to go check it out.
A historic Spanish Catholic mission located about 10 miles south of Tucson.
Oldest European structure in Arizona - built between 1783-1797. (Established in 1692 - the Mission was a pilgrimage site with thousands visiting each year on foot and horseback).
Today, San Xavier is actively run by Franciscans, and continues to serve the Native community by which it was built.
I did take a photo of the Cemetery . . . ..
this scared ground was intriguing to me as it was so incredibly colorful and very unlike our cemeteries (and went for miles).
There are signs posted everywhere saying no photos, BUT, people have posted that were 'accosted by mean, unfriendly, Indian security guards asking for ID and threatening with arrest.
We think that may be because they actually walked on to the property.
The cactus in bloom are amazing this year (and early).
Back to the Saguaro National Forest and the gorgeous sunsets.
Off Valencia (Tazz and I walked)
Not usually in this park in the evening B U T . . . . sometimes, things happen. This is at the outdoor theatre around 8 pm
And this us, during the day and climbing up to get the view of the outdoor theatre field. It is so quiet and I actually bumped into a Vet who remembered my dogs (he thought it was last year but it has been at least three now since we have been in this area) and have seen him several times. He does a dozen laps (walking) around the entire field, several times a week.
Tucson Market
- happens twice a year. It is the largest we have ever seen and fabulous. Quality and food vendors galore! Great place for lunch! (Although, be prepared to bring some home).
There you have it . ... 'everyone' needs a Marshmallow Blaster!
Tattoo mania!
Food galore!!!!!!
This "Grill" gets towed down the road ---- largest grill on the road!
OMG!!!!! Cholesterol Attack.
Diamond J RV Park
Night is dark out here in the desert . It is fabulous to see the stars!
[
Monsters out there!!!!
Fortunate to capture this bird - very windy day and I say "bad hair day!" A Phainopepla. These birds apparently can imitate the calls of twelve other species. They also have a specialized mechanism in their gizzard that shucks berry skins off the fruit and packs the skins separately from the rest of the fruit into the intestines for more efficient digestion. So far - the only bird known to be able to do this.
It has been a very quick two weeks in Tucson. Have one more day here, then back to Happy Trails to our new spot for week.
It has been a very quick two weeks in Tucson. Have one more day here, then back to Happy Trails to our new spot for week.
1 comment:
Such great photos Bev! Wish I could see the desert in bloom:)
fingers crossed that the fix with the car is simple.
Good Luck!
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