Bisbee Side Trip: San Pedro River, a Winery and Tombstone

 From February 2022

One day, we explored to the west of Bisbee and checked things out.  First, we hiked some of the trails in San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area.

 

The landscapes here provide a stark contrast to the green of Wisconsin. We continued on to Sierra Vista, which didn't seem to have a defined downtown area.  We know people who have retired here, but decided that it wasn't our vibe.

After putting up with all of my brewery stops, it was only fair that I visit a winery for Julia.  Arizona has a bunch in the Elgin area.  We stopped at Flying Leap Vineyard.  Our early adult experience with vineyards was in northern California, where the wineries, tasting rooms and grapes were all in the same location.  That's not so around Elgin.  The tasting room employees told us that the grapes were mostly grown several hours away and that land was very difficult to buy for grapes in the Elgin area.  The fields that we did see were more like representations of their fields near Wilcox.  It was still a pleasant stop.  

 

In the afternoon, we drove east on Hwy 82 until we ran into Hwy 80 south.  We couldn't resist checking out Tombstone, although we knew it would be a tourist trap, which it was. 

Don't shoot; I'm not armed

 

Bisbee: Hiking Juniper Flats

Just outside of Bisbee, my hike up to the top of Juniper Flats started at the intersection of Old Divide Road and North Juniper Flats Road.  This isn't a trail.  It's a steep, winding gravel road up to the cell phone antennas on top of the mountain.  It's driveable, but it doesn't see much traffic.  

Looking down on Old Divide Road

 

Juniper Flats Road flattens out on top of the mountain.  And it's here that free camping is available to vans, truck campers, and a few brave drivers with Class C's or travel trailers. The gravel road is very, very steep. This is BLM land.  The views on top are incredible.  Most people camp at the fire rings between where the road flattens out and the first antenna tower.  It can get extremely windy up here.  I talked to a shaken older couple who spent a windy night in their truck camper.  One night was enough, they said.  

There is also some partying that happens up here from time to time by locals.  In researching the area, I found that someone had been murdered  only two months before my hike.

For the truly brave and/or stupid, a deeply rutted dirt road continues on for many miles.  There is evidence of jeep or ATV camps in the first mile beyond that I hiked.  Normally, however, I kept going up to the next steep ascent leading to the second  antenna tower, where there are views all the way to Mexico.  This was a go-to hike for me on half a dozen occasions.  

Bisbee: Queen Mine Tour

 From February 2022

Julia went on the Queen Mine Tour in Bisbee, while I hiked up the mountain (next post) on the gravel road behind Darlene's place.  

 

I've been on enough mine and cave tours for the duration of my lifetime, but Julia is a daughter of a geologist/rock guy.  She is always fascinated.

I finished my hike and drove down to Bisbee, meeting at the Old Bisbee Brewing Company.  Due to the pandemic, I usually take advantage of the outdoor spaces of brewpubs and restaurants.  However, I couldn't resist taking a picture of the tasting room here.  The tasting room and the brewing room are the same place.  Very unusual, but it's an old building without a lot of space.

The Sky Carp

 

Yesterday, we took Justin to see a Class A minor league baseball game featuring the Beloit Sky Carp vs. the Cedar Rapids Kernels.  

 

Our original tickets were postponed due to the team having a Covid outbreak.  Our makeup game was then postponed due to the Julia and I having a Covid outbreak.  Last night, we got to see baseball.

 

I think the highlight of the game for Justin was his wild game sausage basket, which supposedly had bison, wild boar and kobe beef.  He thought it was good but tasted a lot like pork, which would have been considerably less expensive but it was a splurge spend night.

 Most people have heard of Corn Kernels, which kinda makes sense with the team from Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  But what the heck is a Sky Carp?  Well, it turns out that a sky carp is a goose that doesn't fly south for the winter.  Wut?  Yeah, that's what they say.  The team's mascot runs around doing the stadium  performing pelvic thrust dance moves, like a bad Elvis imitation.  Bad Goose!

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.