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Published: March 20th 2014
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Kubo B&B
Ron is on the porch with his bincos We are loving Arizona's blue skies and warm temperatures. The polar vortexes that swept across Texas regularly were getting a bit old and to know we were only a state away made it seem colder than it was.
We started our Arizona camping at Patagonia State Park where we saw the Elegant Trogan last year. ( New blog readers can find that entry under 'Patagonia State Park and Lost Dutchman, published March 17, 2013) While staying at Patagonia we took another B&B vacation to Madera Canyon in Green Valley. This area is rated the third best birding destination in the U.S. We drove up and into the Santa Rita Mountains which is where Madera Canyon is located. The change is dramatic since the drive begins on the desert floor and ends in the mountain top. The vegetation goes from prickly pear cactus at the bottom to Douglas Fir and Quaking Aspen at the summit.
We stayed at Madera Kubo B&B which uses 3 of the cutest little cottages for its B&B. Check out the pictures and see for yourself. The breakfast part of this B&B was NOTHING like the one in Fredericksburg, TX. Here breakfast consisted of raisin bran
interior view
the bedroom is in the loft or cheerios, but that isn't why we came, so it was fine. The area around the cottages was full of bird feeders of every kind and also full of birders calling out names of every new bird that came into view. B&B residents also got to see the turkey parade every evening and morning. We added 6 new birds to our life list: Arizona Woodpecker, Magnificent and Violet Crowned Hummingbirds, Scott's Oriole, Hepatic Tanager and the Lazuli Bunting.
New birds are getting harder and harder to come by. We also learned the difference between a Birder and a Birdwatcher - a birdwatcher still has some control over their life. We are promising each other that we will stay birdwatchers.
While we were at Patagonia Cindy and Rich Adams made the drive from their condo in Florence, AZ, to pay us a visit. It was terrific to see folks from home and we visited with them a second time when we went to Boyce Thompson Arboretum in Superior, AZ, where they volunteer. Cindy gave us our own personal tour.
Picacho Peak State Park was also a great stop. If you are traveling
B&B
the spiral stairs - is that cool or what??? However, after more then few days it would get old. I -10 in southern AZ, you can't miss seeing the 1,500 foot peak. The unusual saddle shape of this peak has been a landmark since prehistoric times and is mentioned in written records in the 1700's. We hiked Hunter Trail during our stay there. The trail is listed as difficult - steep and twisting with steel cables to assist in climbing. This trail would have taken us to the peak but after climbing 2 areas that had cable assists the fear of steep edges finally won out and we headed back down .
At Lost Dutchman State Park we were lucky again to have the best site in the whole campground #30. When you look at the picture of our view I know you will all agree. We did the Siphon Draw Trail , like last year. On the way up we met Irv, a hiker and photographer who writes about Arizona hiking trails and he put us on his web site - www.irvferguson.com.
Today we arrived at Dead Horse Ranch State Park in Cottonwood and are looking forward to a visit with Mark Milostan. The last time we traveled with him
was in the state of Washington in 2009. We'll visit some new places and some old favorites while he is with us.
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Doreen
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Wow!
Such great adventures!