Our new year (2012) began with fantastic weather here in Southern Arizona. We are able to sit out on our back patio, having coffee and reading in the bright sun... nice temps too. We are able to eat our meals outdoors on the patio, and in the evenings, we are having some dramatic and colorful sunsets that are wonderful to experience. We have an expression here locally, when the mountains turn pink (sunset), it's time for a drink. A great way to complete an afternoon of golf.
We like living in Southern Arizona and its daily life, but we also enjoy traveling the world and meeting new people. Our family had a good year in 2011. We traveled quite a bit and made many new friends. Our children are doing fine, cheerful and healthy and with decent jobs, given this economy. We realize we are very fortunate.
Our travel plans for 2012 include Northern CA, Chicago, and in Canada, Vancouver and Victoria. We made many good friends through our home exchanges and intend to continue traveling. We are grateful that we are able to do most of the things we want to in our retirement years. We have signed up for more adult education classes for this spring term. We'll have some more wine, and learn about the geology of Arizona, some physics and technology, and the structure and workings of the human brain.
One of our new year resolutions is to continue our pleasant and exciting home exchanges and meeting new people. Everyone we have met in these exchanges has been so helpful and friendly. We have established some long-lasting relationships.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Thursday, August 18, 2011
WE ARE HOME
We did quite a bit of traveling this year. We were at the Palm Springs Film Festival in CA, went to Chicago, had a fantastic trip to South France (Provence) and Switzerland. Now we are back in sunny Arizona in time for the spectacular monsoon season. Pretty soon we will be planning for our next trip with our friends from New Zealand. Southern Arizona is still our home but we do love to travel to see new places and meet new people.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!
Boy, it has been awhile since I posted a blog. My husband and I had been busy traveling. First to Belgium, then to Australia and New Zealand. Now we are back, and Southern Arizona is just as beautiful as ever. We don't have the snowstorms that the East Coast and Europe have to contend with. Even in winter, we can still go hiking during the day, enjoy the beautiful sunsets, and meet relatives and friends for lunch and dinner at the various terrific restaurants in the area. In our opinion, life is good in Southern Arizona.
We are going to be hosting a girl from South France in February, and we are going to show her the best of Tucson and Southern Arizona. It is a perfect time of year for her to come, as many events are in town each February: the Accenture Match Play Golf Tournament will be played at Dove Mountain in Marana, the Mineral and Gem Show will be in Tucson, and the world famous Rodeo will also take place. Lots of fun things to show Juliette.
Likewise, there are also many exciting (and in some cases, tasty) events in January in the Tucson area, so come and enjoy what Southern Arizona has to offer. A very Happy New Year to you all, and enjoy your travels!
We are going to be hosting a girl from South France in February, and we are going to show her the best of Tucson and Southern Arizona. It is a perfect time of year for her to come, as many events are in town each February: the Accenture Match Play Golf Tournament will be played at Dove Mountain in Marana, the Mineral and Gem Show will be in Tucson, and the world famous Rodeo will also take place. Lots of fun things to show Juliette.
Likewise, there are also many exciting (and in some cases, tasty) events in January in the Tucson area, so come and enjoy what Southern Arizona has to offer. A very Happy New Year to you all, and enjoy your travels!
Monday, July 26, 2010
Home Exchange
We were away on a trip to Europe for awhile and it was a lot of fun but now we are happy to be home. The monsoon season has finally arrived in the Tucson area. For the last couple of years, the monsoon has not been as spectacular as in previous years. There is not as much rainfall either. Maybe this is another sign of global warming.
We were in Belgium on a home exchange for a few weeks at end of May and in June, and really enjoyed the trip. For us, a home exchange is really a good way to travel. You get to see how the natives live in real daily life, with shopping and cooking, and also usually get to know the town and the neighbors very well in a longer stay. A house is much more comfortable than a hotel room, and is very convenient, especially for a casual breakfast before heading out on the day’s adventures. My husband and I have been exchanging for about four years now and we really recommend it. We haven’t had a bad experience and typically the homes are even nicer than their writeups describe. And the visitors are careful about your home too because they understand the situation. Last week a couple of Swiss women came to stay at our house. We are hoping to visit them next summer. They promise us a great time and already have an agenda made up for us. Nearer term, we have arranged to visit Australia and New Zealand (four cities and four home exchanges!) towards the end of this year. We are finding that sunny Arizona attracts people who want a mild winter, and we have had many offers from various parts of Canada. This interests us and we have to make the time to visit the Great White North.
The summer months in Southern Arizona doesn’t bother us. We simply schedule our activities to avoid being outside mid-afternoon. Most of our visitors come to our Tucson area in the winter or spring. So we were really surprised when the Swiss women emailed us for an exchange in July. We warned them about the heat, and they said they could handle it because they had been to Thailand several times, and it is very hot and humid there. Well they did handle it very well and said it is nowhere near as humid as Thailand was. One advantage for them visiting in July is that there are numerous restaurant and museum discounts in the summer because of the relative lack of tourists. So they had a very nice trip here, and really liked seeing the town and meeting us. We liked them too and took them around for several of their days here.
We were glad that they did not mind the temperature when they were here, and they spent a lot of time sunbathing by our community pool. They said the Swiss crave the sun. Now, the Swiss have gone home, our son is back at college, our daughter has a new job and is on her own. So we are back to our normal routine, doing things early in the morning, staying indoors during the heat of the day, enjoying our occasional siesta, and arranging to do things with our friends in the evening when it is much cooler, maybe even 30 degrees cooler. There is no lack of special events and social life in the Tucson area in the summer time. So don’t stay away from our city just because it is summer. There are still plenty to do; your simply need to adjust your daily schedule.
We were in Belgium on a home exchange for a few weeks at end of May and in June, and really enjoyed the trip. For us, a home exchange is really a good way to travel. You get to see how the natives live in real daily life, with shopping and cooking, and also usually get to know the town and the neighbors very well in a longer stay. A house is much more comfortable than a hotel room, and is very convenient, especially for a casual breakfast before heading out on the day’s adventures. My husband and I have been exchanging for about four years now and we really recommend it. We haven’t had a bad experience and typically the homes are even nicer than their writeups describe. And the visitors are careful about your home too because they understand the situation. Last week a couple of Swiss women came to stay at our house. We are hoping to visit them next summer. They promise us a great time and already have an agenda made up for us. Nearer term, we have arranged to visit Australia and New Zealand (four cities and four home exchanges!) towards the end of this year. We are finding that sunny Arizona attracts people who want a mild winter, and we have had many offers from various parts of Canada. This interests us and we have to make the time to visit the Great White North.
The summer months in Southern Arizona doesn’t bother us. We simply schedule our activities to avoid being outside mid-afternoon. Most of our visitors come to our Tucson area in the winter or spring. So we were really surprised when the Swiss women emailed us for an exchange in July. We warned them about the heat, and they said they could handle it because they had been to Thailand several times, and it is very hot and humid there. Well they did handle it very well and said it is nowhere near as humid as Thailand was. One advantage for them visiting in July is that there are numerous restaurant and museum discounts in the summer because of the relative lack of tourists. So they had a very nice trip here, and really liked seeing the town and meeting us. We liked them too and took them around for several of their days here.
We were glad that they did not mind the temperature when they were here, and they spent a lot of time sunbathing by our community pool. They said the Swiss crave the sun. Now, the Swiss have gone home, our son is back at college, our daughter has a new job and is on her own. So we are back to our normal routine, doing things early in the morning, staying indoors during the heat of the day, enjoying our occasional siesta, and arranging to do things with our friends in the evening when it is much cooler, maybe even 30 degrees cooler. There is no lack of special events and social life in the Tucson area in the summer time. So don’t stay away from our city just because it is summer. There are still plenty to do; your simply need to adjust your daily schedule.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Desert in Bloom
This past couple of weeks have been fantastic for us. We had a relatively wet winter and now the desert is truly blooming, spring is here. We see wildflowers everywhere we go (even in the street median islands in town). The cacti are blooming in a variety of brilliant colors. And the weather is great; sunny during the day, a breeze most of the time, and cool in the evenings. This is the best time of year to go hiking to enjoy the desert wildflowers, and the local critters too... rabbits, tortoises, and javelinas. My husband especially loves the smell of the acacia tree right in front of our home.
We enjoyed the Open Studio Tour on April 3rd & 4th in Tubac. This is the second year the Santa Cruz Valley arranged for a Hidden Treasures Open Studios Tour. This event offered us an opportunity to see and experience the true creative process, in the studios of working artists throughout the Santa Cruz Valley. We picked up a brochure at the Tubac Center of the Arts and followed its map, and spent both Saturday and Sunday visiting most of the studios. My husband and I, and some good friends who came along, now really appreciate the hard work, time, and talent that go into the paintings, bronzes, clay and wooden sculptures, and blown glass pieces. During the Studio Tour we also very much enjoyed the live performance of Native American Classical Guitarist Gabriel Ayala.
Southern Arizona is well-known for its charitable fund raising events. The Rotary Club is one of the many organizations that raises money for good causes through a variety of ways in several venues. Last Saturday (April 3rd), The Tubac Rotary Club organized the Taste of Tubac at the Tubac Golf Resort. Most of the Tubac restaurants had booths with representative samples of their foods. It was a great event and enjoyed by all who attended. Yesterday (April 11th) The Rincon Rotary Club organized The Taste of Chocolate at the Double Tree Hotel at Reid Park in Tucson. About 25 different chocolate specialty stores and restaurants participated... lots of chocolates of all sorts (even chocolate chicken - Chicken Mole) for people to sample. We tasted for about two and a half hours. I think my blood got thicker and browner with all the chocolates I had!
The 32nd Annual Blessing of the Vine Festival is going to be on April 24th at Sonoita. Ministers and priests bless the grape vines to foster a bountiful crop at harvest time, free wine glass and samples, live music, dancing, $10, horseback riding is also available throughout the day, from 11 am - 4 pm. For more information call 520-455-5893 or http://www.sonoitavineyards.com
We'll see you there.
We enjoyed the Open Studio Tour on April 3rd & 4th in Tubac. This is the second year the Santa Cruz Valley arranged for a Hidden Treasures Open Studios Tour. This event offered us an opportunity to see and experience the true creative process, in the studios of working artists throughout the Santa Cruz Valley. We picked up a brochure at the Tubac Center of the Arts and followed its map, and spent both Saturday and Sunday visiting most of the studios. My husband and I, and some good friends who came along, now really appreciate the hard work, time, and talent that go into the paintings, bronzes, clay and wooden sculptures, and blown glass pieces. During the Studio Tour we also very much enjoyed the live performance of Native American Classical Guitarist Gabriel Ayala.
Southern Arizona is well-known for its charitable fund raising events. The Rotary Club is one of the many organizations that raises money for good causes through a variety of ways in several venues. Last Saturday (April 3rd), The Tubac Rotary Club organized the Taste of Tubac at the Tubac Golf Resort. Most of the Tubac restaurants had booths with representative samples of their foods. It was a great event and enjoyed by all who attended. Yesterday (April 11th) The Rincon Rotary Club organized The Taste of Chocolate at the Double Tree Hotel at Reid Park in Tucson. About 25 different chocolate specialty stores and restaurants participated... lots of chocolates of all sorts (even chocolate chicken - Chicken Mole) for people to sample. We tasted for about two and a half hours. I think my blood got thicker and browner with all the chocolates I had!
The 32nd Annual Blessing of the Vine Festival is going to be on April 24th at Sonoita. Ministers and priests bless the grape vines to foster a bountiful crop at harvest time, free wine glass and samples, live music, dancing, $10, horseback riding is also available throughout the day, from 11 am - 4 pm. For more information call 520-455-5893 or http://www.sonoitavineyards.com
We'll see you there.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Things to do this weekend
The weather is fantastic again here in Southern Arizona, and there are many interesting events taking place in both Tucson and Tubac. So many things are going on that I do not know where to go first this weekend. The 4th Avenue Street Fair near the University of Arizona runs from this Friday through Sunday. The Pima County Air Show at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base is on Saturday and Sunday. The Mata Ortiz (Mexican)pottery exhibit and demonstration featuring Goyin Silveira and Celia Veloz takes place on Friday (tomorrow) and Saturday at the always lovely Tucson Botanical Gardens. You can watch the pottery being made from scratch and the firing begins at 11:30am on both days.
Lots of things are happening in Tubac too. On Saturday 3/20, there is the St. Patrick's Day Parade at 10:00am, the Cowgirl Ugly Fashion Show at 2:00pm, Chuck Wagon & the Wheels are performing at the Old Tubac Inn at 6:00pm. From 1:00pm to 3:00 PM there is a book signing with Philip Cavuto at TJ's Tortuga Books & Coffee Beans. At 7:30pm Cool Breeze (Latin American Rhythms) is performing at The Tubac Center of the Arts.
From 10:00am to 3:00pm, on Saturday 3/20 also, the Agua Linda Farm (an all-natural farm)in Amado (just north of Tubac) is having its Farm Day. Look at their website for directions. http://www.agualindafarm.net/
There are so many fun things to do and enjoy in Southern Arizona. Take advantage of the gorgeous weather, and try to attend at least some of these events. Good Weekend!! Have Fun!!
Lots of things are happening in Tubac too. On Saturday 3/20, there is the St. Patrick's Day Parade at 10:00am, the Cowgirl Ugly Fashion Show at 2:00pm, Chuck Wagon & the Wheels are performing at the Old Tubac Inn at 6:00pm. From 1:00pm to 3:00 PM there is a book signing with Philip Cavuto at TJ's Tortuga Books & Coffee Beans. At 7:30pm Cool Breeze (Latin American Rhythms) is performing at The Tubac Center of the Arts.
From 10:00am to 3:00pm, on Saturday 3/20 also, the Agua Linda Farm (an all-natural farm)in Amado (just north of Tubac) is having its Farm Day. Look at their website for directions. http://www.agualindafarm.net/
There are so many fun things to do and enjoy in Southern Arizona. Take advantage of the gorgeous weather, and try to attend at least some of these events. Good Weekend!! Have Fun!!
Monday, March 8, 2010
Visitors in Tubac
I like being in Tubac through all the seasons the year. The summer heat does not bother me. My husband and I enjoy the fantastic lightning storms which occur in the afternoons and evenings during monsoon season, which is the latter part of the summer. So for us, we have a mini-vacation in Tubac whenever we have the opportunity, and we do not need to go away in the summer to escape the heat.
Most visitors, however, feel the best time to be in Tubac, and in Southern Arizona in general, is from September to April/May. Our area is the destination of choice for these people who are fleeing the hard winters in their hometown. During these months, Tubac hosts many tourists and snowbirds from Canada, the US East Coast, the North, and the Midwest. Some people we've met come from even further away: Europe and Australia. We have been fortunate to meet many nice people who come here to enjoy the weather and the cozy, safe small town atmosphere of Tubac. Everyone seems happy and very friendly, and we meet many visitors simply walking around the town, in the art center, in the library, and in restaurants. They enjoy everything that Southern Arizona has to offer. They go hiking, swimming, golfing, biking, horseback riding, eating out, and reuniting with old friends. They enjoy the Thursday lunch for seniors (this is really a social event in the town; not something targeted for people in difficult economic straits), they attend the breakfast forum every other Thursday (with knowledgeable speakers discussing a wide variety of topics), they search (successfully!) for unique finds and old artifacts using their metal detectors, investigate ghost towns and old abandoned mines, visit the Titan Missile Museum (a scary reminder of the Cold War), and many, many more fun things.
For North America, Tubac is a very old town. I recently came across the following website detailing the history of Tubac through four centuries. http://parentseyes.arizona.edu/tubac/toc.htm It offers some very interesting reading. If you have a chance, come visit Tubac. I quite sure you won't regret it.
Most visitors, however, feel the best time to be in Tubac, and in Southern Arizona in general, is from September to April/May. Our area is the destination of choice for these people who are fleeing the hard winters in their hometown. During these months, Tubac hosts many tourists and snowbirds from Canada, the US East Coast, the North, and the Midwest. Some people we've met come from even further away: Europe and Australia. We have been fortunate to meet many nice people who come here to enjoy the weather and the cozy, safe small town atmosphere of Tubac. Everyone seems happy and very friendly, and we meet many visitors simply walking around the town, in the art center, in the library, and in restaurants. They enjoy everything that Southern Arizona has to offer. They go hiking, swimming, golfing, biking, horseback riding, eating out, and reuniting with old friends. They enjoy the Thursday lunch for seniors (this is really a social event in the town; not something targeted for people in difficult economic straits), they attend the breakfast forum every other Thursday (with knowledgeable speakers discussing a wide variety of topics), they search (successfully!) for unique finds and old artifacts using their metal detectors, investigate ghost towns and old abandoned mines, visit the Titan Missile Museum (a scary reminder of the Cold War), and many, many more fun things.
For North America, Tubac is a very old town. I recently came across the following website detailing the history of Tubac through four centuries. http://parentseyes.arizona.edu/tubac/toc.htm It offers some very interesting reading. If you have a chance, come visit Tubac. I quite sure you won't regret it.
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