I did not realize that Arizona had a wine region but they do! At about an elevation of 5000 feet (for reference Tucson is at about 2500 feet) the vineyards are plentiful in this beautiful area of grasslands, rolling hills, Santa Rita Mountains and ranches (both cattle and horses). I stopped at Sonoita Vineyards and the Elgin Winery and Distillery. I tasted a few wines and bought a bottle. The wines were very good (to my unsophisticated palate).
The drive took about an hour each way and was beautiful. Cactus gave way to yucca plants and grassland was plentiful. The vineyards often couldn’t be seen from the road but once I drove up the dusty driveways, the rolling hills with vineyards emerged.
Tumacacori and Tubac are an easy 25 minute drive from where I am staying so I ventured south. I visited Tumacacori Mission first, which consisted of a church and planned community near the Santa Cruz River. There was a church, convent, cemetery, plaza, orchard and large garden area. It was peaceful and interesting. The grounds were lush and the remaining buildings were well-preserved. I really love the adobe structures.
Three miles north is Tubac. Tubac is historical and artsy in the cutest way. I started at the Tubac Presidio State Historic Park and Museum but didn’t spend too much time there. I then walked the streets of Tubac starting with the Tubac Center of the Arts. A juried competition was showing and the art was impressive. I then meandered the three streets filled with art, jewelry and other things you didn’t know you needed! The village boasts being founded in 1752 and the arts and crafts were impressive. I especially loved all the garden art.
I stayed truly in the middle of nowhere last night (Ridgecrest, CA) but it is the only place to stay to enter the park from the west side. It still was an hour and a half drive to get to Death Valley this morning. I drove through Trona, which was a wasteland of mining mounds and smokestacks. I found it interesting that there was a sign posted that if you litter there is a $1000 fine, yet the desecration of the land seems to be just fine. I also drove through Lost Hills yesterday. There were hundreds of oil drilling machines in the large oil fields. I’ve never seen anything like it. I am not in beautiful San Francisco any more!
Fortunately, Death Valley trumps Trona and Lost Hills by a thousand fold. Death Valley was amazingly beautiful and varied. On one side of the road there were smooth, colored, layered mountains and on the opposite side of the road jagged peaks like one would expect. I visited:
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes. Sand dunes in the middle of this park were amazing to see.
Badwater Basin. The lowest point in North America at 282 feet below sea level. The salt looks like snow. Because of the recent storms, the flats were actually covered with water and looked like a lake. The storms also prompted some road closures.
Artists Drive. The colorful hills with layered rock formations were mesmerizing.
Zabriskie Point. The golden colored badlands were my favorite thing in the park. It was nice that Pete was able to see them, too.
After I left the park I drove four plus hours to Needles, CA. It’s another very small town in the middle of nowhere. But tomorrow will only be a five hour drive and we will be in Tucson!
I walked the Embarcadero yesterday and learned of a new Port Art Loop being created on the waterfront. The goal is to bring up to 100 large-scale sculptures to San Francisco which creates a 34 miles walkable and bikeable trail. Public spaces=open-air art gallery. Looks like I better get walking!
Today was a day of random experiences. It started with Twin Peaks. The view is unmatched (and so is the lack of parking). I will definitely visit again and try to find parking and hike to the top.
I then visited Buena Vista Park. This park has elevation, lots of tall trees and impressive views.
And finally I was on Grove Street in The Haight for Halloween. Yes, I walked Haight Ashbury and saw all the shops but more impressive were the beautiful Victorian homes. I then met up with a friend of a friend to hand out Halloween candy. But this was no ordinary event! The streets were shut off to cars, there was a band, lights and hundreds of pounds of candy. I was told that this is one of the primary areas kids come and trick or treat. And they showed up! Even Pete got into the action by licking any kid that got close enough while reaching into the candy bowl. The costumes were impressive and I loved seeing the sense of community.
This afternoon after my morning workout I decided to take a field trip to the Mission District. Of course, I had to visit the beautiful Mission Dolores Park. The day was sunny and clear which meant that the park was in full throttle with tennis players, sun worshipers, volleyball players, lunchtime goers and everything in between. It’s a beautiful park with the city in the background.
I then wandered to the Mission Dolores Basilica and Clarion Avenue to check out the murals with political action statements. This is a super interesting area with all kinds of markets, shops and restaurants owned by minorities and focused on a diverse offering.
This morning I decided to check out the Presidio Tunnel Tops Park. This park is between two stellar views: the Golden Gate Bridge and the Palace of Fine Arts. Again, I am just amazed at the spectacular parks in San Francisco. It was an easy (aka flat) walk about 5.25 miles roundtrip from where I am staying. It was well worth the walk!
It seems anything worth reaching in San Francisco requires an uphill climb and Coit Tower is in line with that requirement. But as in most places, I was rewarded with 360 degree views of the city and spectacular murals depicting California life during the Great Depression.
This four block park in the sky is absolutely amazing! It is 5.4 acres and boasts 13 ecosystems and 16,000 plants. It is free and while I was there a yoga class was happening in the amphitheater (with mats available to borrow) and live music was playing at the central lawn. Events happen at the park all the time and weekly, regular events were varied and available for kids, too. We took the escalator up and the gondola back down to the street.
Again, I am amazed at the public offerings in San Francisco. The financial district was an easy walk from North Beach and was amazingly clean. I saw so many restaurants and cafes I want to return and try. As usual, plenty of people out and about enjoying the beautiful day.
Today I hiked the Batteries to Bluffs Trail. The sweeping ocean views and bonus of walking on the beach coupled with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background made this hike a stellar one. The weather was perfect; I should have worn sunscreen! I even managed to find a mussel shell for my friend who makes art from the shells. I never really noticed mussel shells until I saw her work. Now, I think they are beautiful and am always looking for shells to send to her.
Since I was so close to the Golden Gate Bridge I decided to explore it. There are a lot of great displays about this engineering feat and of course, the views were stunning. I walked the bridge to Marin (1.7 miles each way) and then back to the visitor center. I highly recommend earplugs if you ever do this walk. There were throngs of tourists but the walk over the bridge was not that crowded with walkers but there were plenty of bicyclists.
seniyegroff 