Finding Christmas in Arizona

 December 5 - 17, 2025

Tombstone, Arizona

Getting out and about with my gal pals is the best. During our last adventure we made plans for a special day of holiday cheer and live theater. We have perfect weather, and both the vintage market and Moulin Rouge are wonderful!!

Gathering continues to be the most wonderful holiday-feast-for-the-eyes, including a book tree this year.

This year I want a large piece for the open wall that won't have the grands' felt tree, and three winter sprigs for the wall vases - score!!

Although construction eliminates several parking spots at the market, we find an easy space nearby. At the parking garage near the theater there are a handful of cars ahead of us, but we find a perfect spot on the third floor. It's a short walk past eateries and shops aimed at the university community that wraps around the theater and pretty park. At the theater our tickets are quickly scanned, no line, no wait to get to seats, easy peezy. Afterwards the exiting patrons move quickly, and when we arrive at the Italian restaurant we had picked out we're seated immediately. Even the food arrives quickly. It really adds to the perfection of a wonderful day when everything is this easy. 

Vicki, me and Rebecca. The production is incredible including gorgeous sets and lighting. The cast had us all cheering throughout.

Other than that great day, it hasn't seemed much like Christmas this year. Not just the differences for us, but in most places I've been. 

Rebecca and I make our annual trip to the little border town of Tubac the second week of December, expecting the usual holiday festiveness, even though it is in the high 70's. Not only no Christmas music, but almost no decorations yet. Some stores have bare trees out front with a string or two of lights, but ornaments still in boxes. Inside, there's minimal signs of the holiday. Weird. 

Even at our favorite, beautiful and delicious, Elvira's, they have one corner with decorations, and the little shop has one table with holiday gift items. So weird. 

What little there is - is exquisite.

We both have the Frida Kahlo stuffed poblano - divine!

A couple trips to meander Tombstone shops and still no Christmasness. The little tree is decorated on the street, and some windows are painted, but that's about it. 

In Sierra Vista there's even less :-(

It takes longer than it should to get the brake assist removal scheduled for the Jeep, but it does get done, and the trade-in and purchase finally happen. There are things I will miss no longer having a Jeep, but I'm very happy with this little truck.

I haven't named her yet, gotta spend more time driving around.

The dash screen is crazy, one never feels alone when no one else is in the cab!

Attending the Tombstone Light Parade finally feels like Christmas has arrived. Join Vicky and her husband for early dinner then enjoy the parade from our camp chairs set up where we were last year. The amount of work put into these little, local floats and vehicles is impressive, and appreciated by the good size crowd that has turned out. 

There are several horses, this is our favorite.

Their sign on the back said "Have a MARVELous holiday!" :-)))

Jeeps and ATVs were decked out.

She moves so fast!

Watching this giant navigate through the poles at the intersection is tense!

The motorcycle pulling the boat is very popular :-)

On the way home I'm happy to see many homes with holiday lights, and a great fireworks show is a fun surprise! 

Jeff heads out on the 15th for Grand Rapids, MI. He picks up a friend in Denver, and they continue on to meet several other friends for the holiday. I know he'll have a great time.

We had the fireworks and then the next evening the sky was on fire. Wow!

Bill has been hearing the owl at night, and I finally see him as the sun rises one morning.

We usually do our own thing, but one craft day Rebecca treats us to a lesson on alcohol paint ornaments. We're all fans now!

When we reach a "certain age" time is not always our friend. However, when grieving, that passage can be helpful and healing. More good days than bad, more happy from memories than sad. 

The joy of green grass in Thermopolis, WY, 2017.

Christmas is about the kiddos.

Elliott waits for to give Santa his letter.

"See Dad, he's taking the letters!"

It's Gonna Take Some Time

 November 17 - December 4, 2025

Tombstone, Arizona

I wasn't fooling myself. I knew it would be so, so hard. But whew, this has been a very rough few weeks. Tessa is everywhere, and that is slowly becoming comforting rather than gut-wrenching.

Many thanks for the heart-felt comments on our girl's passing. 

The very best fluffy girl (thanks Jim B for this great pic).

There are a few reasons I've been thinking about trading in the Jeep. While I have to admit the absence of my fluffy pal riding along is a factor, there are more practical and long-term reasons it was time for a change.

When I pick up the new Maverick, we'll be a two-Ford home :-) It's the first new vehicle we've had as a couple, other than the Thor coach we lived in for several years. The little truck is a very comfy ride, all-wheel drive, and a hybrid!

It's nice to have gal-pals Rebecca and Vicky back for the winter. Also getting back to the crafts group every Tuesday has been fun. Nice to have new folks joining us.

A mild, cloudy day is perfect for exploring the large art and crafts show at the Tucson Art Museum (these are not Rebecca and Vicky).

The area has a lot of historic, colorful buildings, but on this day I'm drawn to the uncluttered simplicity of a quiet corner.

We do our part to support local artists, and give our feet a rest at favorite eatery, Cafe a la Carte.

I'm very glad to have the heat behind us for a few months. This is my favorite time of year in the desert. It's the season we always came to visit, when we put this area "on the list". 

Some changes jump out, others are more subtle. 

Cottonwoods line the San Pedro River and signal the seasons with the cycle of their leaves.

We didn't see the massive amount of rain they had to the north this Fall, but Tombstone did get a couple days of heavy wet.

A rare ribbon of white fog to the south.

Eventually it surrounds us before dissolving as the day warms.

The following morning it returns to the north as a large gray wall. It feels very Stephen King around here for a couple days!

Our skies continue to enchant.

Drama through the window.

A sliver moon at sunset.

The tall green grass of summer morphs into stalks of spun gold.

Very little changes in a small historic town, folks don't come here to see "new stuff". However, the community does strive to make upgrades, improvements and a few additions that the locals most appreciate. The little diner has reopened, a food truck is tucked behind the brewery, a mechanic has opened a shop on the main highway, much-needed paint is showing up on the exteriors of vintage buildings. 

Most welcome is the new Cowboy Coffee in a beautifully restored historic building across from the mine tour. Good ol' boys serving good coffee and fresh-baked pastries is a fine addition!

We hear them yipping at night, but a sighting is rare at the water trough. What a beauty.

Bill is doing fine. He had minor surgery that hasn't slowed him down thankfully. He continues to drive into Sierra Vista for clinic three days a week. Of course football season is the very best :-))

We'll have a small and quiet Christmas this year with the kiddos staying in SoCal and Jeff headed east to holiday with friends. I've decorated but held off on the tree so far. Sometimes memories take time to be cathartic. I'll get there.

There continue to be opportunities to smile:

It happens enough to have an official sign?

Elliott is rewarded for important things.

Cousins Mason, Oliver and Maximus are ready for the holidays!

Virginia family cuteness - Reese, Penelope and Magnolia share smiles with their folks.

Henry and his biggest fan.

No Words

 

Tessa Bella Gravel
December 1, 2010 - November 12, 2025

                                                                                 

                                                          

No Monuments and Hurrying Home

 October 26 - 31, 2025

Albuquerque - Hatch, New Mexico; Tombstone, Arizona

I'm happy to find that I 40 is in much better condition than expected. It's a nice drive to ABQ, and to another familiar park. Enchanted Trails is directly off the Interstate, and still reasonably priced. Unfortunately there is no reliable WiFi, including from my Hotspot that has always worked elsewhere. I also wouldn't want to be crammed in here when the park is full - there are inches between some neighbors' slides. I probably look at other options in the future.

Several nods to Route 66 throughout the park, including this fun hubcap tree.

There are several options to see here in ABQ, but none that don't require more walking than Tessa is up to. As a result I've cut the length of my stay here to just two nights. Getting her back to her familiar world is the priority now. So we take a drive up Hwy 14, Turquoise Trail, to the village of Madrid. Hoping to get some fabulous chocolate from Sugarman's I'm delighted to score a parking spot right in front! It's also exciting to learn we can now order from them online. So dangerous!

White with ginger and hybiscus, dark with orange flakes, white with strawberries, dark with cashews and Thai chili, and white with honey toffee. Unique and delish as always!

Brunch across the road (a short walk) at Refinery 14 is a tasty and peaceful break before making our way back to PJ. There's more Fall color on this back road, but no place to pull over and enjoy it. It's also very dry with the wind making the air crackle. They need rain soon.

A refreshing poke bowl hits the spot.

A quick pop of color along the way.

With some wind break and warm sunshine we hang outside with a good book and a doggie bed for the afternoon. Can't leave New Mexico without a stuffed sopapilla so I try Los Compadres which doesn't disappoint! 

Dinner tonight and lunch tomorrow. 

Back at PJ I pull up just right and connect the Jeep for tomorrow's departure. Love it when that happens! 

Unfortunately the next morning I'm wishing I hadn't hooked up. Tessa can't stand on her own, doesn't recognize me, it's very scary. I get her in the Jeep and unhook quickly. After traffic, missing two turns, and more misdirection, I finally carry her into a veterinary office. It's very stressful. They don't have anyone who can see her for another hour. Great.

But it turns out to be just fine - back in the Jeep Tessa is just fine. Standing, moving around, wagging tail, knows me. So I drive back to the park, walk her around to confirm the crisis has passed, and hook up. This time it takes five tries to get lined up. Of course. I dump and break down camp. We're on the road by 10:00. I'm glad she's bounced back, but I'm going to get home with one more stop instead of two. 

On the way I make a reservation for Hatch RV Park in the little chili-famous town. It's a nice drive with one stop for fuel, and I'm pulling in around 1:00. Another end, pull-through, site in a tiny, quiet and clean park. The morning's drama has caught up with me and I'm grateful for the time to get a nap.

Yep, more gravel. 

My drive days have been about 150 miles this route (180 miles yesterday), but I'm ready for this 240 miles to get us home. We pull out at dawn. Tessa is still fine.

Getting home before 11:00 is great. So good to see Bill and Jeff. Best of all is Tessa's reaction. Running around and bouncing, clearly happy to be back where she knows where everything is! My shoulders relax.

Overall it has been a wonderful adventure, seeing so many beautiful places. PJ took good care of us. Even with the failed furnace, everything was easy. Planning a route around national monuments, or parks, etc., is highly recommended. I also recommend more stay time at each stop if you have the option. 

Henry and Cassidy hamming up Halloween with the parents.

Oliver is too cute with Zero on his shoulder.

Elliott and Ezra (it's really him) take Mom trick-or-treating.

Mason embracing his inner-Slytherin (love the hair!)

His mom assures me this is really our sweet Maximus.

The cutest skeleton ever, Miss Magnolia.

Big sisters Reese and Penelope with a pile of Halloween pals.