Exploring the area sort of like a tourist! (Tucson, Benson: appointed, homes)

[sierraAZ]

I needed to clear my head off and spent all day out today exploring the surrounding area. Haven't done it for a long time. Put almost 300 miles on my car. The primary reason for the trip was to go find some wild flowers, but I wasn't very successful at that. Picacho Peak is usually a sure bet, but I read the flowers were past their peak and I decided to venture somewhere I haven't been before. The report about the first area was from only a few days ago, so I headed on I-10 East to Benson and took exit 306 North. Btw, Ken, said hello to your land! Finally saw some poppies, but nothing impressive and they were behind barbed-wire fence, so couldn't get close to them. At the end hit a dirt road past which most likely would've been beautiful, but it was too rough for my regular car. The area was also too isolated and I didn't feel like getting stuck there.

Then went back on I-10 and took 83 South to Sonoita. Saw the turn towards Sahuarita and decided to go this way since that's where I saw amazing carpets of poppies the last good year (2001 if I'm not mistaken). After going 10 miles on a dirt road was disappointed again. There were some, but nothing like before... Perhaps it's too late. Then I decided to do a little research for the benefit of our dear forum and went to check Rancho Sahuarita since I've never been there. Oh, I'm getting ahead of myself. In the meantime saw Corona de Tucson, Sycamore Canyon, etc. The area is beautiful. The builders have preserved the desert quite well and the homes are very nice on large lots. If you don't mind the distance, it's great.

Rancho Sahuarita is actually very pretty. There is a public lake. I believe there is another lake inside for the homeowners' use only. I don't know if I happened to hit some event or it's like this on regular weekends, but there was live music going. They have amazing facilities for kids. Very nice community, even though it has a bit of a Disneyland/Stepford Wives feel... perfect cute families with 2.5 kids. It could be perfect for retirees, people working from home, people working around the airport area, stay-at-home moms whose husbands don't mind the commute... It's really ideal for families. Saw their new shopping center. At this time there's only a very nice Fry's - one of the expanded ones, with a lot of home and garden items. As a matter of fact, that's the first one this big I've seen. The one on Rita Rd & Houghton has home stuff as well, but not nearly as much. Quite a few other stores are under construction in this shopping center. There is already a bank, too - Chase.

Got on I-19 intending to go back to town, but decided to get off and go to the mission. Haven't been there for a long time. Had wonderful fry bread with honey. A tip from me - since there's a choice of people to buy it from, pick the plumpest merchant! They know their food!

Took some pictures, but I'm not a digital person, so perhaps you'll see them some day... whenever that day may be...

[LordBalfor]

Yeah, you were out in my general neck of the woods. My land is by exit 297 (J-6 Ranch Road), then on the south side of the freeway and slightly back east (on South Maricopa Ave). Puts us just barely west of the county line.


Sounds like you had an interesting day.

Ken

[Mi_Mom]

Sounds like a wonderful day! I can't wait to use some 'tips' once we're settled!

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by Mi_Mom

Sounds like a wonderful day! I can't wait to use some 'tips' once we're settled!

Are you moving soon? Or you did already?

[Bummer]

Hey, Sierra . . . sounds like a fun trip . . . why was I not invited?

Did you "dress up funny" while driving in the Left Lane, Ten MPH below the speed limit with your Right Turn Signal FLASHING?

! ! ! !

[Mi_Mom]

Originally Posted by sierraAZ

Are you moving soon? Or you did already?

We leave for the big 'drive' on Tuesday. We're hoping we arrive on Friday.

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by Bummer

Hey, Sierra . . . sounds like a fun trip . . . why was I not invited?

You can be invited on future trips if you're interested, Bummer. I used to love roaming around. When I first moved here was just driving aimlessly to get to know town. Then things changed... but may get back to normal. However, you know I smoke... Let me know if you're OK with it.

Did you "dress up funny" while driving in the Left Lane, Ten MPH below the speed limit with your Right Turn Signal FLASHING?

! ! ! !

Why would I do THAT? Unfortunately, I'm not close to retirement to practice for it. Ha, when I arrived at picture-perfect Rancho Sahuarita and was buying a cup of coffee I was told there was cactus stuck on my shoe. Looked down and sure enough the cactus was there on top of my shoes being absolutely dusty. Didn't think of it after venturing into the desert. Who cares... wasn't on a mission to impress anybody. I haven't been on such a mission for a long time anyway.

Gee, what's with your coloring, peeps...?! You feel more important or something?! Am I here to yap on a forum or to code fake HTML...

[Bummer]

Originally Posted by Mi_Mom

We leave for the big 'drive' on Tuesday. We're hoping we arrive on Friday.

Don't forget to leave the BUGS and BAD WEATHER behind when you head South!

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by Mi_Mom

We leave for the big 'drive' on Tuesday. We're hoping we arrive on Friday.

Wow, that's soon enough! Good luck!

[Mi_Mom]

Originally Posted by sierraAZ

You can be invited on future trips if you're interested, Bummer. I used to love roaming around. When I first moved here was just driving aimlessly to get to know town. Then things changed... but may get back to normal. However, you know I smoke... Let me know if you're OK with it.



Why would I do THAT? Unfortunately, I'm not close to retirement to practice for it. Ha, when I arrived at picture-perfect Rancho Sahuarita and was buying a cup of coffee I was told there was cactus stuck on my shoe. Looked down and sure enough the cactus was there on top of my shoes being absolutely dusty. Didn't think of it after venturing into the desert. Who cares... wasn't on a mission to impress anybody. I haven't been on such a mission for a long time anyway.

Gee, what's with your coloring, peeps...?! You feel more important or something?! Am I here to yap on a forum or to code fake HTML...

I vote the former.