Southeast Arizona Wanderings

I've spent the past few days in southeastern Arizona, one of my favorite areas.  It's diverse, both naturally and culturally.  Here's a saguaro studded hillside in Saguaro West NP.  I visited both sides of the park, but the day I went to the eastern sector I forgot my camera...it was very pretty there and I will correct that error next time I visit...possibly as soon as March.

 

Some cool mountains near Sonoita, SE of Tucson.  Suzanne served as my personal tour guide here...she grew up in the area.

 

This pic is in Lowell, a little area of the city of Bisbee.  Lowell is a 1940s-50s time warp.  Built to serve the adjacent copper mine, it seems unchanged since the mine shut down 40 years ago.  Vintage buildings, businesses, vehicles.  It only encompasses a couple of blocks but it is very cool.  Blow the pic up and see the old Gulf sign and gas pumps, the old Pepsi logo, etc.

 

An old Texaco station in Lowell.

 

The Lavender Pit mine, between Lowell and Bisbee proper.  With the rise in copper prices, there have been rumblings that the mining operations may resume, about forty years after the mine shut down.

 

On the excursion between Tucson and Bisbee, Suz and I stopped in both directions along the San Pedro River.  There are historical buildings, lots of birds, hiking trails, and fine trees...especially this huge cottonwood.  The base of the trunk is a good ten feet across.  Though the tree looks ancient, it is only about 100-120 years old.

 

Last night I stayed at the Arizona Inn, a superb hostelry in the center of Tucson.  Open since 1930, it's a museum piece of vintage luxury furnishings.  This is the library.  It's the kind of place where upon walking through the door, you immediately feel totally comfortable and at ease.  There are many guest amenities.  One I had never seen...a full bucket of fresh ice in the room upon my arrival!  Greatly appreciated.

 

The grounds are beautifully landscaped.  The accomodations are spotless casitas from the 1930s.  Mine had a wraparound patio with chaise lounges and a sunny table with chairs...perfect for morning coffee.  The restaurant and bar were excellent.

 

The inn added this pool in 1937.  It has seen many celebrities over the years and continues to be one of the finest hotels in Arizona.

 

It was a bit crisp in Tucson this morning.  These pool chaises are not two tone...the lower sections are covered in frost!  But the pool is heated year round.

 

Cool touches abound at the Arizona Inn.  Here's a mosaic on an outside wall of a casita.  This place is wonderful...can't recommend it too highly!