We begin our Arizona stay in Tucson, which is a little trickier to get into with our timeshare. Although two years ago we stayed in a pretty nice hotel downtown using our timeshare points, this time we set our sights on a place where we could feel more at home. We found an Airbnb out in the desert which was close – and yet so far from the madness of the city.

Click on the first photo in each group and scroll to see the square photos at full size.
To start at the beginning of this series, visit Return to the Red Rocks 2024.

Our Home Away from Home

While searching our options for another stay in Tucson, we found this beautiful spot in the desert. Although the owners lived in the larger portion of the house, our private guest suite had two bedrooms, a spacious bathroom and a small kitchenette – just big enough for simple breakfasts, snacks, or leftovers.

When we arrived, our fridge was stocked with a few beverages and snacks, and there was plenty of coffee for our stay, Our very friendly and helpful hosts offered suggestions for nearby restaurants, and we learned how they ended up in Tucson from their hometown in upstate New York. They even replaced our dirty dishes while we were out and about, but our favorite aspect of this place was its beautiful patio, with an endless supply of birds. Yes, we are just that old!

On our first day we got settled in, had a selection of charcuterie with fresh fruit for dinner, and only ventured as far as the high ground of the pergola for a gorgeous sunset. Wow, did we hit the jackpot with this reservation!

Saguaro National Park

Saguaros are only found in the Sonoran Desert and are protected at Saguaro National Park. The park is divided into two sections which are separated by Tucson’s one-million residents. Both sections are definitely worth seeing, so I’d recommend spending a fair amount of time in Tucson. If time is short and you can only see one, this website may help you decide which side to save for next time.

On our last visit to Tucson two years ago, we spent a day at each of the two sections of the park, so rather than reinvent the wheel, click the link and you can read more about each section there.

Today we revisited the Rincon Mountain District (the eastern side), since the entrance was only six minutes from home. Although the scenic loop is only eight miles long, it takes a while at 25-mph with lots of stops for views and a trail or two. We walked the Desert Ecology Trail and thoroughly enjoyed the Visitor Center which we didn’t see last time. We learned more about the cacti and the critters that inhabit this prickly place.

Ewww!

An exhibit about the Regal Horned Lizard was quite fascinating. The fourth photo below shows two of the handsome crowned creatures created for this exhibit. Click on the link for a great video that shows two defense mechanisms utilized when the lizard (or its eggs) are in danger. A third line of defense is shown in this video. Yes, it squirts blood from its eyes into the mouth of its predator! The nasty taste will usually scare it off. Ewww is right!

After our park visit, the Saguaro Corners Restaurant offered a great place for an early dinner (and a beer). We also wanted to check it out for Packer-game-watching possibilities since it was so close to home! Although we would definitely return for both the food and the beer, it probably wasn’t the place for the game. Now back to our patio!

Coffee and Birdwatching

Every morning started with a trip to the patio. The mornings were cool, but we could move our chairs into the sun to solve that problem. Winter was upon our family back home, so I was just happy to be chilly in my robe and slippers in the sunshine. Not much variety in the birds this morning, but the cardinals were beautiful. There were two hummingbird feeders on the overhangs, so occasionally I’d experience a fly-by that was pretty close. They didn’t stick around long even though I stayed as still as possible.

This is a wonderful setting to listen to the music of nature. One morning my Merlin app identified seven birds, including this Gambel’s Quail who was just sitting on the fence enjoying the morning sun – like me. Sometimes he brought his buddies and they walked in a straight line along the top, rounded edge of the adobe gate to the left.

A Packer Win against the Cowboys!

When we googled Packer bars, several came up but Hops Sports Grill sounded the most promising. When we walked in the door, the Packer jerseys outnumbered the Cowboys, so we took two stools at the bar. We had an appetizer before and after the game started and another later on, along with a couple of Moose Drool Brown Ales and Kilt Lifters (brewed in Tempe). All in all it was great fun and we felt like we were home again! Even better was the commanding performance that our almost all-rookie Packers gave!  J❤️10!!

Next up: All Around Tucson

Happy trails,
Barb