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Amado, Arivaca, Ruby
Ruby Arizona: Our Best Ghost Town
Ruby Arizona is about 12 miles from Arivaca. About half way there, the road goes from pavement to dirt. But it’s well-maintained and a standard sedan can easily travel on it (unless of course the area gets a hard rain). Again, do not rely on your GPS. ******************** Ruby was a mining […]
Read OnThe Girls by an Old West Saloon in Arivaca
These white cows are affectionately known as “The Girls” in Arivaca, Arizona. Headed down the main street they appear to be headed for La Gitana Cantina, bragged on as being the oldest continually run saloon in the state, circa 1880. This scene is typical of the view you may see while visiting Arivaca. Quaint and slightly off center. The natives are friendly. There is alwaysa game afoot. Enjoy the outdoor patio.
Read OnGet your Southern Arizona Audubon Fields Trips here!
As every birder probably knows local Audubon Society pages are a great resource and reference for Birding and ecology. Check out the following page for Birding Trips. Audubon Field Trips Other events and Educational courses sponsored by Audubon can be found here. Audubon Events
Read OnThe Village of Arivaca, The Ghost Town Of Ruby, & Sweet Peas Cafe’!
The road from Amado to Arivaca winds through rolling, mesquite-covered hills. It’s obviously very popular with cyclists, motor and otherwise.
Just before we arrived in town, we came to the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge where, by appointment, we met and interviewed Richard Conway, a local geologist and Mary Scott, a seasoned birdwatcher and wildlife photographer.
Amado Territory Inn – Near Tubac
The Amado Territory Inn has been through many incarnations. It is newly remodeled and currently a Bed & Breakfast, however there is a new upscale restaurant next door. We’ll have to check it out soon. Despite its proximity to the freeway, it is a quiet respite with pleasant grounds in the rear. We have also walked their pleasant grounds, and wandered into their artist studios. It looks like a fine place to overnight and dine in the I-19 corridor when you are visiting the missions and exploring Tubac Village, Titan Missile Museum, or Madera Canyon. It is also convenient to BANWR (Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge) and Arivaca. More info to come after I experience an overnight. For more Tubac Lodging see our Tubac Lodging page. For more lodging reviews see our Best Lodging listing page. Amado Territory Inn 3001 E. Frontage Road, Amado, AZ 85645
Read OnTubac and Tumacacori
Santa Cruz Chili & Spice Inc.
Add the Santa Cruz Chili & Spice, Inc.to your Christmas Shopping List either by mail order or drive down to Tumacacori just for the wonderful smell of it. The Santa Cruz Chili Company should be on everyone’s list. There is something for everyone’s list here, Chili’s, sauces, herbs and spices, jams, jellies and lots more. Family owned for more than 60 years, these Southwestern products is famous for its unique items.
Read OnThe National Park’s Junior Ranger program
The Junior Ranger program exists throughout the National Park Service. Last weekend we took Anna and Isabella to Tumacácori National Park. Isabella (7) enjoyed finding the different pictures along the way. She received a badge and a certificate at the end. There are other Junior Ranger programs at other National Parks, including Saguaro National Park. Visit the National Park Website for more information. This article has been KID APPROVED. For more interesting ideas of Things to do with kids, some of the not very expensive, please see our page, “Things to do in Tucson with KIDS”
Read OnElvira’s Restaurant – Tubac, AZ: A Review
Elvira’s is a restaurant name with which I am familiar. Since 1927, Elvira’s was located just across the border in Nogales, Sonora. And was justly famous for excellent Mexican cuisine and fine dining.
Read OnMission Tumacácori – Annual Events
Each October the park hosts a commemorative Mass inside the Tumacácori mission church in conjunction with Tubac Presidio State Historic Park’s annual Anza Day celebration.
Read OnTubac Deli & Coffee Company
One of the better places to eat lunch in Tubac is the Tubac Deli & Coffee Company near the entrance to the Village. Coffee & Danish in the AM. Good sandwiches and salads in the PM. Or just stop in for a cold drink on a hot day. Tubac Deli & Coffee Company 6 Plaza Road, Tubac, AZ 85646 For Dining reviews of the Best Dining in Southern Arizona by Cuisine visit us here. For an Alphabetical list of Dining reviews of the visit us here.
Read OnShelby’s Bistro
Shelby’s Bistro is a very good place to eat while visiting Tubac. It’s hidden away behind some shops and galleries and over a bridge on the south side of the Village, but once you’ve found it you’re in for a triple treat.
Read OnAmado Territory Inn – Near Tubac
The Amado Territory Inn has been through many incarnations. It is newly remodeled and currently a Bed & Breakfast, however there is a new upscale restaurant next door. We’ll have to check it out soon. Despite its proximity to the freeway, it is a quiet respite with pleasant grounds in the rear. We have also walked their pleasant grounds, and wandered into their artist studios. It looks like a fine place to overnight and dine in the I-19 corridor when you are visiting the missions and exploring Tubac Village, Titan Missile Museum, or Madera Canyon. It is also convenient to BANWR (Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge) and Arivaca. More info to come after I experience an overnight. For more Tubac Lodging see our Tubac Lodging page. For more lodging reviews see our Best Lodging listing page. Amado Territory Inn 3001 E. Frontage Road, Amado, AZ 85645
Read OnWisdom’s Cafe’
Located on the frontage road just north of Mission Tumacácori, Wisdom’s cafe has been a family affair since 1944. Wisdom’s is justly famous for its fine Mexican food and margaritas.
Read OnMadera Canyon
Madera Canyon is a recommended side trip when you are in the I-19 corridor visiting the Missions, the Titan Missile Museum, or Tubac Village.The elevation ranges from 5,000-5,500 feet. The area is a birdwatchers paradise with over 250 species identified. This is part of the Coronado National Forest. It’s about 25 miles south of Tucson and 11 miles east of Green Valley. There are campgrounds and picnic areas and the extensive Santa Rita Mountain trail system is easily accessed from here. Detailed trail information and maps are available at each of the trailheads. Pets must be on a leash. At the lower end of the Canyon is a handicap-accessible nature trail. At the top are much more difficult hiking trails leading to 9,453-foot Mt. Wrightson. There is no restaurant in Madera Canyon, so at least bring a picnic lunch and some snacks. Of the several picnic areas in the Canyon, the one at the end of the paved road seemed to us to be the most appealing, particularly in the warmer months. As one of the premier birding areas in the United States, you can, with time & patience, see fifteen species of hummingbirds, Elegant Trogon, Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher, Black-capped Gnatcatcher, … Read On
Tubac Presidio State Historic Park
Tubac is Arizona’s oldest European community. The 1885 furnished schoolhouse, Otero Hall, and Rojas House are all on the National Register of Historic Places. The Park features a small, but fine museum, an underground display of the Presidio ruins, Arizona’s first printing press, a picnic area, school house, church, and the Juan Bautista de Anza Trailhead.
Read OnWine Country – Elgin, Sonoita, Patagonia
A Day Trip to Arizona’s Patagonia Mountains
This article was first posted in June 2020. Updated July 2023. Most of the trip is still true but some changes are in the works. Of course, everything is open again. After a long three months of quarantine, Jim and I ventured out on a Saturday in Mid-June 2020. Although cases of Covid-19 were up all over Arizona, we set out to explore the Ghost Towns in the Patagonia Mountains southeast of Patagonia, Arizona. We had not been to Lochiel and Duquense and we needed to fill in the blanks. Our other goal was to see the effects that the new South32 Mining Operation was having on the landscape and the town of Patagonia, the quiet little hamlet in the Patagonia Mountains. Patagonia is known for an Arts and Crafts Festival in the fall, Paton’s Hummingbird Center, Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve, and Patagonia Lake State Park. Our plan was to grab takeout at the Velvet Elvis Pizza Company and head on out to Sonoita Creek Preserve for a picnic among the critters. Our drive took us straight through Sonoita, past a demonstration in support of the Police, then past Lightning Ridge Cellars and onto the dirt road at Canelo, where the … Read On
How Paton’s Birder Haven Became World-Famous
Like many “Big Deals”, this one started with a “Little Deal”. In this case, the little deal was a flying jewel about 10 cm long and weighed in at about 5 grams. It had feathers, of course. A white underbelly, red beak, and sported a violet crown. It was also an immigrant from Mexico. Not sure if it crossed our southern border with the proper documents. In the early 70’s, Marion and Wally, hardy New England stock, acquired a small, modest home in Patagonia with about an acre of land along Sonoita Creek in Southeastern Arizona. They planted gardens and hung bird feeders about, including hummingbird feeders that Marion filled regularly with sweet sugar water. The birds came. Then the birdwatchers. Marion and Wally could see the birders peering over their fence with their binoculars and spotting scopes. One Sunday, a fellow knocked on their door. When Wally answered, this fellow asked excitedly, “Do you know you’ve got a very rare hummingbird at your feeders out there?” Wally replied, “No, we know we’ve got hummingbirds and like to watch them and they’re pretty, but …” The fellow at the door couldn’t wait for Wally to finish his sentence. “Yeah, well … Read On
Copper Hop Ranch and Microbrewery: A Review
On a Sunday in late March 2022, Ms. Karen and I headed down the road past Sonoita to Elgin for a visit to Copper Hop Ranch and Microbrewery. We had considered going to the Renaissance Festival this year but decided against it. We had never been to either place, but Copper Hop seemed closer and was not likely to be as crowded. We arranged for a dog-sitter for our three-legged pooch, Dozer, and took off at 11 AM, because they don’t open until noon. Who drinks beer before noon anyway. The drive was pleasant enough, through rolling hills and cattle country past the Empire Ranch, one of our favorite historic places to enjoy the cowboy life and the great outdoors. We arrived shortly after they opened. The bartender was just opening up. Tom, the barkeep, was a friendly fellow who told us the hops field which was just getting started out front, was mostly for show. He buys his hops elsewhere but brews it right there. He also sells whiskey and other spirits. He buys the whiskey from Flying Leap Distillery & Vineyards down the road. The grounds had the appearance of more like a beer garden than a … Read On
Tucson Day Trip 3: Southern Arizona Wine Country
The dozen or so wineries in the little communities of Sonoita & Elgin are about an hour southeast of Tucson via scenic Hwy. 83. The terrain here is very different from Tucson. No saguaros, but miles of rolling hills, tall grass & cattle herds and if you look closely you may see pronghorn which have been reintroduced to this valley. Empire Ranch More than a century before this was wine country, it was cattle country. The biggest ranch was the 100,000 acre Empire Ranch. You can visit what remains of it on your way from Tucson to Sonoita. Volunteers are working to restore the principle residence & out buildings. Inside the main house are simple exhibits with old photographs of the ranch and its ranchers. Definitely worth an hour’s detour. The Empire Ranch is located in the heart of the 42,000-acre La Cienegas National Conservation Area. Flowing through this preserve is Cienega Creek, a natural riparian zone that shows us what much of this region was like before the White Eyes established “civilization”. Today, Arizona has lost more than 90% of its original perennially flowing rivers and adjacent riparian areas. So visiting here is definitely a look back in time … Read On
Tucson to Wine Country & Back Via Box Canyon – A Day Trip
This is a very pleasant day trip from Tucson to the Wine Country of Sonoita & Elgin. When touring, we try not to back track and the route I suggest here takes you back through Box Canyon to Madera Canyon for a picnic, before heading back to Tucson via I-19 north of Green Valley.
Read OnRemembering Harshaw: A Guest Post
Harshaw is a ghost town now. It stands in an old mining district of townships near Patagonia in Santa Cruz County. Recently new mining operations have begun in this area. Remnants of other ghost towns in this area include Duquesne, Mowry, Washington Camp, and Lochiel. Few remember them, but Clara Migoya found one such person. An aging cemetery rises on the hill above the sign for Harshaw. People still come to pay their respects. Thanks to Clara Migoya, author, and the Patagonia Regional Times in collaboration with the University of Arizona, for allowing the reprinting of this wonderful article. Enjoy! Antonio Tapia, 79, stands on the porch of his southside Tucson home, scanning a sepia drawing through thick, smoky glasses. His eyes move from a tall poplar tree, to the small adobe building, the tin-shed house, a horse grazing, the dirt street at the border of the wire fencing. On the top of the frame there is a rusty metal label that reads “Tapia Household.” The piece of art, drawn by a family friend and given to Tapia by one of his granddaughters for Christmas 2015, depicts the Tapia family home as it looked before it and the other buildings … Read On
A Day In Santa Cruz County
Santa Cruz County is still sparsely populated and remains an excellent destination for bird and wildlife photographers, hikers, ghost town hunters, kayakers, and other outdoor enthusiasts.
Read OnSouthern Arizona Guided Tour Schedule
Tucson History & Libation Walking Tour Schedule ALL OUR TOURS ARE CURRENTLY by PRIVATE CHARTER ONLY All Dates, Times, Routes, & Rates are Subject To Change. Learn more about our Wine Tasting Tour here. Learn more about our History & Libation Tour here. Currently our other tours, such as our Ruby Ghost Town Tour, and Wine Tours may be handled by Michael Foltz at Reisen Arizona. Other charter tours can be custom designed to meet individual group’s interests. If you wish to schedule a private tour, please contact Jim@southernarizonaguide.com or phone (520) 820-2710. October Sunday, October 20, 2019 Tucson History & Libation Walking Tour. 10:00 AM [lightframe shortname=”southernarizonaguide” fallback=”simple” flow=”4215″ view_item=”65483″ view_availability=”266225862″]Book our History & Libation Tour now![/lightframe] November Sunday, November 17, 2019 Tucson History & Libation Walking Tour. 10:00 AM [lightframe shortname=”southernarizonaguide” fallback=”simple” flow=”4215″ view_item=”65483″ view_availability=”266226271″]Book our History & Libation Tour now![/lightframe] December Sunday, December 22, 2019 Tucson History & Libation Walking Tour. 10:00 AM [lightframe shortname=”southernarizonaguide” fallback=”simple” flow=”4215″ view_item=”65483″ view_availability=”266226864″]Book our History & Libation Tour now![/lightframe] January Sunday, January 19, 2020 Tucson History & Libation Walking Tour. 10:00 AM [lightframe shortname=”southernarizonaguide” fallback=”simple” flow=”4215″ view_item=”65483″ view_availability=”266226865″]Book our History & Libation Tour now![/lightframe] FEBRUARY Sunday, February 16, 2020 Tucson History … Read On
Boat Tours at Patagonia Lake State Park
When the weather warms you will appreciate the Boat Tours at Patagonia Lake State Park. Avian Boat Tours of Patagonia Lake are every Saturday and Sunday at 9:00 and 10:15 AM Lake Discovery Tours of Patagonia Lake are every Saturday and Sunday at 11:30 AM Twilight Tours every Saturday evenings. Reservations Required. All Boat Tours: Call Visitor Center 520-287-2791 to reserve and to find out time of departure for Twilight Tour. Cost: $5 per person per tour. Visit Patagonia Lake State Park
Read OnPatagonia: Gateway to the Arizona Trail
Patagonia is an important gateway community to the Arizona Trail. The trail goes right through the town! In this video at 1m 45s you will meet Sirena Default, Gateway Community liaison and Carolyn Shafer, Patagonia community activist who talks about the importance of Gateway communities to the Arizona Trail project. Take a hike, visit Patagonia. Stay a while. For our recommendations for dining, lodging, what to see and do in or near Patagonia, visit Things to do in Patagonia. CLICK HERE for a map of the Arizona Trail. Here are two other good resources. PatagoniaAZ.com Patagonia Area Resource Alliance
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