Tombstone, Arizona
Rain takes us all the way to Tombstone on Tuesday morning. Clearly there has been a lot of it this year as the desert is covered in blooms. Although muted through the wet air, they're beautiful. I've never seen acres of Desert Mallow - my favorite!
 |
| Lots of orange on both sides of the highway. |
 |
| A hill in the distance looks like it has a water mark along the side - it's all flowers. |
 |
| Blooming Brittle Bush borders the lanes. |
With the exception of being at a body of water, it checks all our boxes so I have been looking at available properties. We're here for two weeks to see what might work for us! No plans to come off the road, there's still too much we haven't seen. But adding a winter base is something we're ready to look at.
The first several days are cold and wet - really cold! On our first nice day we meet up with a local realtor who like so many, many people, our friends have known for years. We laugh at the second choice until we really check it out.
Although we learn it was taken off the market, we're hoping to talk with the owner about an offer. With nice views, 3+ acres and all the utilities at the site, it's a perfect spot to put our own home once cleared of the current "residence".
 |
| Might be more fixer-upper than we're prepared for. |
 |
| We do like an open floor plan. |
 |
| A soaking tub is at the top of my must-haves! |
 |
| Lots of natural light. |
Although Anna is third generation Tombstone, and Donnie has been here thirty years, neither of them have been to nearby Kartchner Caverns. It's a fun day when we all head there for a couple hours. The tours are all full, but we enjoy the grounds and the video. The deep cavern was discovered by two local cavers in 1978, and the state park opened to visitors in 1999.
Although I don't do well in underground or tight spaces, and we've never visited any caves, I'm sure we'll be back to visit this one.
 |
| Tools are displayed as they were used to access the cavern. |
 |
| The grounds are lovely in their simplicity. |
 |
| Days after freezing temps, trees are flowering. |
Besides Tombstone, another area we really like is Sonoita, Arizona. I'm especially in love with the golden grass plains. The four of us check out some available lots that we really like. It is very peaceful here. But it's 30 miles from our friends and the little community that we also like. Also, ten acres is more than we need or can afford.
 |
| I would love to have this address :-) |
 |
| Magical views |
With two weeks to hang out, we get into a comfortable routine of March Madness, cribbage games, delicious home cooking, trips to Sierra Vista, exploring properties, and lots of laughs.
 |
| Her Fluffiness spends her time on her comfy couch... |
 |
| ...helping with laundry..... |
 |
| ....or ready to go! |
Not only has Anna been here her whole life, so have many cousins and other family members. It becomes a joke that one of every five houses we pass is a cousin!
The temps have been steadily climbing and our last day is in the 80's!
We're so grateful for these wonderful friends who always spoil us and make us feel very much at home here. And here being home is something we're looking forward to whenever it happens :-)
Next we head to Tucson for a week of getting things done before we head north.
All the spring flowers are gorgeous. Does look like your "second" choice needs a little roof repair. The views on the larger acreage is beyond breathtaking.
ReplyDeleteWe're keeping our fingers crossed on the demo site but if we win the lottery we'll jump on the bigger one!
DeleteI love traveling around the west in the spring with the brittle bush lining the roadways. Always makes travel such a delight. So glad you found an area that checks all the boxes for your one day new home. Sure hope things work out for the piece of property (minus that gorgeous double wide). Hope Bill is feeling better. Tessa certainly looks relaxed while in Tombstone:)
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how often the blooms are thickest along the road! We're still hopeful for the property.
DeleteBill is feeling much better thankfully. That Tessa loves hanging out there!
The desert flowers are beautiful this year. With 10 acres in Sonoita you could grow grapes :)
ReplyDeleteWe will hang up our RV keys at some point, I have a nice spot in San Diego, I know you'll find your perfect spot to call home.
There's certainly a lot of people planting vineyards in the area - a big one in Tombstone coming up!
DeleteAs much as we loved to travel, having the ranch to come home to in the winter and be with family was wonderful. I spent more time with my parents in the last five years than I did the previous 20. Good luck and I hope you snag just the right property for you! Hugs to Bill, hope you are both feeling well.
ReplyDeleteWe weren't sure we'd want a base before we came off the road, but we keep coming back here so figure it's probably smart to start thinking about a landing spot :-)
DeleteWish we could experience the desert bloom but so thankful friends are posting their pictures. AZ is one place we love too. I loved my folks address when they lived in the Dallas area, Miracle Ln in Flower Mound, so 60's.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great address!! The one in Tombstone is on Colt Rd which is just so "Tombstone" :-))))
DeleteLOL at your fixer-upper and your descriptions! How wonderful that you've found a town that calls to your heart. Good luck with the search! Hope you both are feeling much better now. :-)
ReplyDeleteWe thought they were nuts showing us that place and then it became our favorite!! We're both feeling good and hoping not to get it a third time.
DeleteWOW--who would think you guys would be our neighbors! Mike has said many times that our fixer upper should probably have been bulldozed--your fixer upper might need that solution too! :) :)
ReplyDeleteWouldn't that be fun!? We love the golden plains in your area as well so you never know :-))) If we had half the talent and motivation as you two we'd have more options. We're already getting prices for full demo!
DeleteGorgeous pictures! I can understand your drive to have a winter home. Sending positive energy that you get the one that talks to you. Hugs and love!
ReplyDeleteThanks Laura! We'll have plenty of guest space so you'll have to come visit when we make it happen :-)
DeleteRon and I really enjoyed our short visit to Tombstone a couple of years ago. When you finally find 'your spot' we'll have to make it a point to visit! Plus, it's close to one your other favorites, Bisbee :-)
ReplyDeleteIt's a great area and we'll have hookups for you to stay!
DeleteOne thing we're really enjoying about having a house again is having a bathtub! We don't use it too often, but when we do it feels like such a wonderful indulgence!
ReplyDeleteIt's really the only thing I've missed on the road and now I'm looking at floor plans that must have a big tub!! Like Prescott, the inventory is small so we may be awhile looking for our base.
DeleteOur property searches were very similar, we too were just looking for a home base the biggest exception being ours is north and yours is south. Great idea finding one with utilities already, we paid over $15,000 getting our to our building site. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteGlad yours was successful - fingers crossed we can find a spot with utilities already on site!
Delete