Friday May 24th, 6:30 AM.LuAnne and I agreed to meet at the trailhead to the Murray Springs hike. As the PR gal for Cochise County, she knows a lot about the San Pedro River Valley in general and birding in these parts in particular. We hiked the 0.3 mile loop at the Clovis archeological site and checked out the half dozen interpretive signs that explain what this place was like and what people were doing here 13,000 years ago. It’s one heck of a story.
7:30 AM. Then we drove a few miles to the San Pedro House, which serves as the visitor center for this riparian area. From there we followed the trail perhaps a quarter mile down to the San Pedro River. We could hear many different bird songs, chirps, and other vocalizations, but the critters making all these sounds were high up in the cottonwoods where we couldn’t see them.
Along the way I told her that I need to add some recommended lodging in this area to my Southern Arizona Guide. And perhaps some recommended Things To Do as well. As usual, she’s a fountain of good information. She suggested several B&B’s that specialize in attracting the two hundred or more bird species that either live here or migrate annually through the Valley. No surprise … these B&B’s also attract birdwatchers from all over the world.
9:30 AM. After our hike, I drove south and east to the first B&B on my list: Casa de San Pedro. As luck would have it, I arrived unannounced right a breakfast time. The owners, Karl & Patrick, welcomed me anyway and invited me to stay for breakfast. I accepted. (Yes, I know what you’re thinking: “opportunist”.)
A covey of birders was just coming in from a guided hike along the River. It appeared to me that they had worked up an appetite since they all sat down quickly at one of the two big tables in the dining area adjacent to the kitchen.
At this point I realized that this was indeed my lucky day. Sitting across from me was the lady who had been this group’s guide for their morning birding adventure: Sheri Williamson. If you’re a birder, you already know her. Sheri is a renowned expert on North American birds. More specifically, she literally wrote the book on hummers: Peterson Field Guide To North American Hummingbirds. Talking with Sheri over breakfast was a delight. Her knowledge and enthusiasm for birds and birdwatching seemed infinite.
Speaking of breakfast, Karl served up a beauty: cup of mixed, fresh fruits; orange juice, a hot-out-of-the-oven Danish. And that was just for starters. Carl then served us each a “Dutch Baby” accompanied by several sausage links. Delicious!
Patrick gave me a quick tour of the Casa: 10 well-appointed rooms surrounding a central courtyard with rose bushes and a large fountain. Casa has a public utility room with washer/dryer; refrigerators, microwave ovens, etc. And a very pleasant pool area. In the spacious backyard is a ramada with two BBQ’s. Inside the main residence is a large living room with lots of comfortable seating, and a music room with a keyboard that one of the guests was playing.
While I was taking some exterior photos, I met two ladies happily sipping their morning coffee at one of the many tables situated around the courtyard: Priscilla & Susan. They told me that they live in mid-town Tucson and come to the Casa twice a year. “This is our home-away-from-home,” Priscilla told me. “We love it here.” What’s not to love?
There is SO MUCH to see & do in Cochise County that I could happily spend a week or more down here using Casa de San Pedro as my home base. At over 4,000 feet elevation, it’s much cooler here than Tucson, particularly along the River. Great summer getaway for all you folks living in Tucson and Phoenix.
10:45 AM. I can wholeheartedly recommend Casa de San Pedro Bed & Breakfast whether you’re a birdwatcher or just want to hike in the cool shade of the River. Karl & Patrick are terrific hosts. The grounds are very pleasant. And it’s located within a stones throw of the last remaining free-flowing river in Southern Arizona.
Having enjoyed a fine breakfast with amicable and interesting dining companions, I said my good-byes and continued on my Southeastern Arizona adventure. Now if I could only find a “Bed & Lunch”.
For More about the San Pedro Riparian Conservation Area see our dedicated page.
