Don't Stay at Darlene's Place

 From February 2022

Darlene is an older woman who rents out her deceased mother's home as an Airbnb outside of Bisbee AZ.  Darlene lives in one of the structures on the grounds.  There's also a converted Airstream and a tiny house with renters.  Several large dogs roam on part of the property.

Pay no attention to the next several photos.

Living Room

Callie in the family room

Water is an issue in that part of the world, so "navy showers" and limited flushing of the toilet is necessary.  Also, the electricity sometimes goes out.  One night, we were forced to light candles and sip wine for several hours until the power came back on.  Drinking water from the tap is not potable.  We were forced to use water jugs of filtered water for cooking and drinking.  Darlene made sure we had ample drinking water each day. There was a full gourmet kitchen.

The worst part of the Airbnb was the outdoor space, where sometimes it was a bit chilly.  The grounds and views were simply stunning.  One day, it even snowed.

 

So if you're looking for a place to stay in the Bisbee area, keep looking.  

I would buy this place in a heartbeat if it was for sale and I could afford it.  Otherwise, I plan on coming back here as often as possible.  It's mine, all mine!

Bisbee: Walking Around and Old Bisbee Brewing Company

 From February 2022

On our first day in Bisbee, we did a lot of walking around the historic part of town and just relaxing.  Bisbee is a different type of tourist town from Hatch.  It definitely has an old hippie vibe.  

There's a downtown park where people congregate.  Sometimes, a street musician will set out a tip jar, singing for supper or beer money. 

Speaking of beer money, there are two brewpubs in the area.  Our favorite was Old Bisbee Brewing Company.   We went often.  Even though the weather was cool, due to Bisbee's 5500' elevation, afternoons were usually warm enough to sit outside and have a beer on the patio.

On the Road: Las Cruces to Bisbee

 From February 2022

Our time was up in the Las Cruces area, and it was time hit the road west.

 We stopped for a late lunch break in Douglas, Arizona. There was a delightful taco truck parked at 10th Street Park.

Bisbee was a big mining town and still has the scars to prove it.

Our airbnb just outside of Bisbee was the best we have ever stayed in and deserves its own post.  This is the view from the front door at sunset after check-in.

Much more to come...

Hatch: Eclectic

 From February, 2022.

One day, we took a drive from Las Cruces north to Hatch, New Mexico.

Hatch is a bit of a tourist trap. We walked up and down the main two streets with Callie.  The small town is the self-proclaimed chile capital of the world.

 

 

Then we went to Sparky's for a chili cheeseburger and chili fries.  I also had a chili chocolate malt.

 

 

Weirdest malt ever

 

Other sights that make a fellow go hmm.

 

 

Hatch falls into that category of places where I'm glad I visited but probably won't feel compelled to return anytime soon. 

Las Cruces: Pine Tree Loop Trail at Aguire Springs

 From February 2022

When I camped at Aguire Springs in 2018, I saw the loop trail that went up behind the campground.  Due to the warm weather, I didn't feel like I could leave Elvis,the old service dog, behind in the Scamp and also didn't think he was up for the rigorous hike.

This time, with Julia and Callie, the same concerns were not present.  At much higher elevations than our other hikes in the Las Cruces area, the challenge turned out to be intermittent snow and ice. 

 

Pine Tree Loop is about a five mile hike.  It took us over two hours with a total ascent of 1247 feet, finishing at 6778 feet.

This is a beautiful hike, and our favorite in the Las Cruces area.

Alligator Juniper

 

The air smelled so clean and fresh.  I leave some trails, thinking "done this, don't have to come back."  As we left that day, I was thinking,  "I want to hike this again and again."

Madison: Art Fair on the Square

Today, Julia and I got up early and went to the Madison Farmers' Market, which was temporarily moved to Breese Stevens Field today.  This market is usually held on the capital square every Saturday morning from spring to fall.  

However, today, the 64th Annual Art Fair on the Square was taking place  and that was our second stop.  The streets around the square were closed off for pedestrian use, and artists from around the country show off their stuff for sale.  I like looking at art, but there were hordes of people, and they were all moving so slow.  Claustrophobia definitely set in.  I couldn't breathe in the crowd.

Julia took mercy on me, bought me a beer, and sat me down next to a Colombian band.  There was an audience, but it was well-spaced.

 

I can breathe again.  Julia enjoyed talking to her fellow weavers at the Madison Weavers Guild booth.