Diamond in the desert, Tucson Arizona, Cactus Cove Bed and Breakfast, AZ

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Cactus Cove ^{L. L.C.}

Tucson Bed and Breakfast
800-466-0083

Tucson, a diamond in the desert Seven Days in Tucson by Ivan Gunderman

A diamond sparkles because it has many facets. Tucson is like a diamond. It also has many facets.

To see the Rockies in spring training is not the only reason to visit Tucson. There are other reasons.

There is the mild winter climate.
There are the golf courses (over 30 of them), many quit challenging and beautiful.

There are the desert flora and fauna.
The majestic Saguaro cactus is a very impressive plant. Surrounded by barrel cactus, ocotillo plants, palo verde and mes-quite trees, creosote, jojoba, and various sage bushes, the Saguaro becomes symbolic of the vibrant plant life that the desert possesses. Add to that the ever-present quail, rabbits, doves, and the occasional roadrunner, coyote, javelina, raven, hawk and eagle, and you no longer wonder why residents are so fond of Tucson.

Then there is the history.
Tucson is often referred to as the oldest continuously occupied metropolitan area in the country. There is evidence of Na-tive American occupation of the site as early as the time of Christ. Native American history and the presence of Native American culture is apparent everywhere.

In addition, there is a rich Hispanic history. In the 1750’s Tucson was selected by the Spanish government in Mexico as a site for a military presence to provide a more secure place for farmers and ranchers who were moving into the area. That Spanish presence has left an indelible mark.

Perhaps the history that occurs to most people when they think of Tucson is the history that is tied to the rugged west with its cowboys and mining. In many peoples’ minds Tucson is first and foremost a part of the lore of the American west.

Tucson is also a modern city. It has been the place for modern research and development.

There is Bio-sphere 2 which represents an attempt to built a self-contained environment.

There is Kitt Peak where the largest celestial telescope observatories in the world are located.

There is the Davis-Monthan Air Force base which contains the largest collection of air force planes, including the largest graveyard for obsolete planes, together with the Pima Air Museum where the history of the air plane as passenger carrier, as cargo hauler, and as fighter and bomber is recalled with over 200 planes in over 50 acres.

Planning a visit to Tucson depends on how many days you have to spend and on your priorities; but here is what I would do if I had from three to seven days to spend in Tucson. I would flex the schedule around the times when the Rockies play exhibition games, but the time could be organized around this kind of plan.

Day 1 - Begin by visiting the Sonoran Desert Museum (2021 N. Kinney Road, 520-883-2702; open 8:30am - 5:00pm Oct through Feb. and 7:30am - 6:00pm March through Sept) adjacent to the Saguaro National Park West. It is a “must see” for any visit to Tucson though the word “museum” can be misleading. It is actually a combination botanical garden and zoo. Take the 45 minute tour to become acquainted with the plants and animals that are native to the Tucson area and then spend up to another three hours wandering through the areas not covered by the tour. You’ll see most of the cacti native to the So-noran desert and many of its animals in settings that reflect their natural habitats. In addition, you can spend time in a hum-ming bird enclosure, a native bird aviary, a cave with an extensive and informative mineral/gem collection, a cactus garden, a desert garden, a mountain woodland, a desert grassland, a riparian corridor, just to mention a few of its attractions. There are grills, a cafeteria and an elegant restaurant on the premises should you chose to eat here. You might continue your day wandering around the Saguaro Nation Park West. Not only will you have opportunity to experience the rich plant and animal life that is a part of the Sonoran desert, you will also be able to stop and hike to several sights where ancient petroglyphs can be seen.

Or...

You might stop at Old Tucson (201 S. Kinney Rd.; 883-0100), which is close to the Sonoran Desert Museum. Old Tucson is a kind of theme park that was originally constructed as a movie/television set. It was used for the television series “High Chaparral” and for several movies, such as “Tombstone”. There is a tour that gives information about Old Tucson’s history as a set. In addition, you can become part of the many vignettes that occur throughout the day that recreate part of Old Tucson’s history including gun-fights, etc. There are train, old car, stagecoach and horse rides available. There are restaurants throughout the town so that you can also lunch here.
Day 2 - Concentrate on Tucson’s history. Begin at the Arizona Historical Society Museum (949 E. 2nd St.; 628-5774; admission free). You’ll begin to see the part that the early Native American, the Spanish and the American West played in the making of Tucson.
Then stop at the La Casa Cordova (175 N. Meyer, enter through the Museum of Art, admission free) one of the oldest dwelling which exists in Tucson) and the Sosa-Carillo-Fremont House (151 S. Granada; admission free) to catch the flavor of life in early Tucson. Stop at the Cathedral of St. Augustine (192 S. Stone) and the Pima County Court House (115 N. Church) for the Spanish architectural character. And then drive to San Xavier del Bac, (about 10 miles south of Tucson on Highway #19; 294-2624; admission free), to see one of the best restored and most beautiful Spanish missions in the south-west.
Day 3 - Take the tram ride up Sabino Canyon. It is about a four mile journey one way. You will hear a description of the plants and animals that occupy the desert as well as information about the hikes that you can take from the various stops that the tram makes. Then you can debark from the tram on the way down and do whatever hikes suit your fancy, picking up a later tram to the bottom (or to your next stop). If you want to make a day of it, you can hike up and back, disdaining the tram. Take a tour of Colossal Cave (16711 E. Colossl Cave Rd.; 647-7275). Tours begin about 8 a.m. and take about 45 min-utes. You’ll see stalactites, stalagmites and hear about the various occupants of the cave throughout history, from prehistoric people to the train robbers and outlaws who used it as a hideout in the old west.
Day 4 - This is the day to visit the “graveyard” and the Pima Air Museum. You should call (520-618-4806) to make a reservation on one of the tours that are scheduled through the Davis-Monthan Graveyard of obsolete air force planes. The tour takes about 45 minutes and leaves from the Pima Air Museum. Depending on the time of your tour, spend about two to three hours at the Pima Air Museum (16000 E. Valencia; 574-0462) before or after your tour. You’ll see the President’s (Kennedy-Johnson) Air Force One, examples of the fighters and bombers that were used in US wars, and examples of early passenger planes. There are also replicas of the first planes ever flown.
Day 5 - This is the day to visit another part of the Old West, the towns of Tombstone and Bisbee. Tombstone is about an hour’s drive southeast of Tucson (I-10 to Highway #80 south) and Bisbee is another half hour (Highway #80) south of Tomb-stone. Go to Bisbee first. Bisbee, a mining town, was at one time the largest city in Arizona. Though copper was the major min-eral taken from the ground, enough gold and silver was taken from the mines to pay for their operation. Take a tour of the Queen Ann Mine. It lasts about an hour or so and takes you into a mine that has over 143 miles of tunnels. You’ll see how mining was done up until quite recently. After the tour spend a couple of hours wandering around Bisbee, visiting the mining museum and the old buildings that dot the town. Though the shops today are filled with souvenirs, you still might capture some of the flavor of the town as it was when mining was everything. Then go back to Tombstone. You can take the short stage coach tour through town to catch the lay of the land. Then you can visit O.K. Corral, the Bird Cage and the Historama to become familiar with the people who made Tombstone the “town to tough to die”.
Day 6 - Visit Biosphere 2(Highway 77, 25 miles north of Tucson: 896-6200), the ambitious scientific project of Columbia University that created a contained ecological system, including rain forest, savanna, ocean and desert. Four men and four women occupied the biosphere without interruption for two years beginning in 1991 in an experiment that made international headlines. Now unoccupied, the complex is open to the public. Go to the Tea Room at Tohono Chul Park (7366 N. Paseo del Norte; 575-8468; $2 donations requested) for lunch and then spend the rest of the afternoon in the park. You’ll get information on the kind of plants that populate the Sonoran desert plus some idea of how landscaping is done in the southwest desert area.
Day 7 - Take the 50 plus mile road to the Organ Pipe National Park (Highway 86). There are two loops you can take through the park, depending upon how much time you’d like to spend there. In addition to the incomparable Organ Pipe Cactus, you’ll see the desert landscape up close. You can also hike one of the dozens of trails that exist in the park.

On the way back to Tucson, stop at Kitt Peak National Observatory (Highway 86). Kitt Peak has the greatest concentra-tion of telescopes for astronomical research any where in the world. Take the guided tour.

While in Tucson you can stay at three different kinds of accommodations. You can stay at a resort such as Loews Ventana Canyon Resort (7000 N. Resort Dr.: 800-234-5117) with its spa, tennis courts and two championship golf courses; you can stay at a hotel such as the Arizona Inn (2200 E. Elm St.; 800-933-1093) which is both historic and comfortable; or you can stay at one of the many Bed and Breakfast places that have sprung up in Tucson such as Cactus Cove (10066 E. Kleindale Rd.; 520-760-7730) which provides luxurious suites (each with large baths, whirlpool tubs, private courtyards with fountains and outdoor showers) in a secluded setting (with coyotes, roadrunners, etc.) not far from “restaurant row”.

You’ll also want to experience the variety of cuisine available in Tucson. Tucson is still blest with a wide range of family or individually owned restaurants that rank among the best in the west. For Mexican food you can’t miss at El Charro’s (311 N. Court Ave.; 520-622-1922), Mi Nidito’s (1813 S. 4th Ave; 622-5081; closed Mon. & Tues.) or Cafe Poca Cosa (88 E. Broadway; 622-6400; closed Sun.). For Italian, Gavi’s (7865 E. Broadway; 290-8380) is outstanding and Carusso’s (434 N. 4th Ave.; 624-5765) is a traditional favorite. For Southwest fare Fuego (6958 E. Tanque Verde Rd.; 886-1745) or Anthony’s (6440 N. Campbell; 299-1771) are perfect for that special occasion.

If you’re coming to Tucson for golf, to follow your favorite baseball team to spring training, or to enjoy the desert climate. You can count on finding it to be a “diamond in the rough”.

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Ivan Gunderman has resided in Colorado for 25 years, is the former editor of the Rocky Mountain Lutheran Newspaper, and has been a resident of Tucson for 2 years.

Photo #1 - A desert scene with a Saguaro cactus surrounded by various desert vegetation including Prickly Pear Cactus, Cholla Cactus and an Ocotilla.

Photo #2 - A street in Old Tucson, a movie and television set, where, over the years, numerous TV shows and movies have been staged.

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Cactus Cove Bed and Breakfast

A Bed & Breakfast Inn located in Tucson, Arizona

10066 E Kleindale Road - Tucson, Arizona (AZ) 85749
Telephone/Fax: 520-760-7730 - or - Toll Free: 800-466-0083
Email: cactuscove@cox.net
Websites: www.cactuscove.com and www.azcactuscove.com

Tucson Bed and Breakfast 800-466-0083

Tucson Bed and Breakfast
800-466-0083