Friday Feb 4th: Left phx around 11:00 a.m.. Tucson is a 2.5 hr trip from phx, on the highway.
Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Farm-- Also has donkeys, goats, deer, and
lorikeets. You get feed for all animals for 5 dollars per person,
refills for 2 or 3 dollars. You also get lorikeet nectar in small
cups. Beware of going too near the ostrich. They pecked at my handbag,
while i was posing for photos. Then pecked my left fore finger, while
i was feeding other ostrich with my right hand. This made me drop the
cup with all the feed, and I spent much of my later time picking up
feed from the ground n putting it back into feeder tray. Also saw a
couple of ostriches have a food fight, where one raised his wings
angrily, and hissed the other one off.
Deer were amazing...the gentlest animals to take feed from your hand
directly, as were the donkeys. However, one or two donkeys got too
rambunctious and started whining, and braying, signaling me to come
their side and put feed into their trays. I obliged.I had not expected
the goats and donkeys to have such soft tongues. They licked my hand
as they took the food. That’s how I know. Goats were straining their
chains, trying to get through the little windows, so to speak. They
bleated, snorted,and one or two strained and managed to get their
hooves out, aiming for your feed cup, to grab it right out of your
hand. One funny thing in the ostrich area. Madhu was behind a wooden
fence, near the goat area, and one ostrich walked by. So he stopped
and turned to the ostrich. Madhu put food in his hand, and reached
out. The ostrich couldn't figure out how to get to the food. In the
previous chain link fence area, they reached their necks over and
down, to take food out of his hands. Now faced with the same height
wooden fence, this ostrich had no idea what to do. So Madhu moved to
his right a little bit, where the chain fence was. Then the ostrich
came and ate. Isn't that funny???The ostrich farm also offers Monster
Truck Tours on Saturdays and Sundays. This takes you more into the
farm. What we saw was just the feeding area.Souvenirs are available up
front, near parking area.
Sonoran Glass Art Academy Flame Off--- Annual glass sculpture
competition. Artists who work with glass, came to compete in this
competition. The pieces they make are up for silent auction, and
winner gets to take home the glass art he or she won. The SGAA gets
the money. Its their way of raising funds to keep the Academy going,
since federal and state funding is being increasingly cut for such
arts. Artists basically donate their time, skills, and materials(
glass). We watched the two hour solo competition. The MC introduced
all competitors, asked them what they were making,and periodically
announced their progress. The glass which all competitors were using
was called Boro Silicate. Many of us would remember Borosil cookware
that was introduced in India in the 1990's. This is the same glass.
Viewers were cordoned off behind yellow tape lines, but bleachers were
available to sit and watch. A couple of fast food vans, beer and
coffee booths were available in case you got hungry. The fire is
intense, so viewers were also warned not to stare at any one flame for
more than a few seconds, with the naked eye. The competitors had their
own little stations, with gas burners. The gas they use is a mixture
of propane and oxygen. Behind each table they had huge kilns, with
temperatures at 1400 degrees F. The artists put in their pieces, as
they were done, in order for the glass to solidify. These pieces would
then bake for a whole day, and be up for sale on Sunday.
There was a half an hour break after the solo competition. Everyone
was asked to vacate the building, so that they could prepare the area
for the duo competition. Once out in the freezing cold, we were able
to enjoy a fire- dance show, performed by a local troupe called
Elemental Artistry. A group of girls,and one boy were there to perform
at the Flame Off. Basically blew us away. Girls danced with long
sticks with fire on both ends, hula hoops, and fan like flaming
apparatus. The boy did his bit with two long flaming ropes. One of the
girls swirled a long stick around her neck and shoulders, without
holding it. Their dexterity and skill is to be applauded. Also is the
fact that in India, we may have seen such street performances, or
circus acts. They do it for their livelihood. Here the impression was
more of a fun thing, for art as a passion, than as a means of
survival.
Dining: Friday we arrived quite late in the afternoon. Our first meal
in Tucson was at a Chinese restaurant. Reputed to be listed among the
Top 100 restaurants in USA. Fare is excellent, prices are quite
reasonable.We had the following dishes: veg fried rice, with Schezuan
tofu, and pepper chicken. Their hot and sour soup was just what we
needed after a long drive from Phoenix. I highly recommend this
restaurant for people coming to Tucson for first time. If you are
really hungry, you will finish your plate clean, like we did. :)
Saturday, light breakfast in hotel itself as we were getting ready.
Muffins, bananas.
Kartchner Caverns--- A “not to be missed” visit for any tourist to
Tucson. A little bit of a drive into another town called Benson. This
was the highlight of our trip. The experience is exhilarating, awe
inspiring. What Mother nature did underground, with help of water and
limestone, is stupendous. And here we are, pillaging and destroying
all that is on the surface and in oceans. Believe it or not, Arizona
had seas around 300 million years ago. That is how the limestone is
found in a desert landscape like Arizona. The water washed away and
left behind limestone in little hilly areas. These used to be the
base,the sediments. We were told that it would be humid, and a
constant 72*F inside the caverns. Both Madhu and I had a little
hesitation believing it. How is that possible, when Tucson weather
outside is like 35/ 40* F?? Once we entered through the airtight
doors, we knew what they meant. It was humid, warm,and you could
immediately sense it in the air you breathed. They sure knew what they
were talking about.!!! An amazing tour( we took the Rotunda tour),
left us with expressions like 'Ooh's and Aah s, Beautiful". Everyone
should make time for it and go. Just so you know:- No flashlights,
purses, cameras, food or drink allowed. Lockers are provided to keep
your things, if you do end up carrying car keys, or purses. There are
two different tours provided. Rotunda is most popular with first time
visitors.
Saturday lunch was at a little local pizzeria at Benson, called R&R
pizza. We went for their buffet. Thanks to the iPhone, we were able to
find that place, get reviews, everything. Our review--value for money
meal. For 6 dollars per person for buffet, you can eat unlimited
pieces of pizza hot out of the oven every 6 minutes, freshly baked
bread sticks, salads with all choices of dressing, toppings, spaghetti
and sauce, even chicken wings in hot sauce. Being Saturday, we went
for veggie and cheese pizzas, spaghetti, bread sticks and salad. The
cheese pizza was Tooo good. Loved the melt -in -your- mouth cheese
pizza. The concept is a railroad crossing, with walls being painted
with trains, and seating in the type of train compartments. You can
also see the railway track running above your head, all over the
restaurant, with lanterns, R& R signs everywhere. It could be better
maintained but hey, floors were clean and food is good. They also have
a little game arcade.
San Xavier Mission Del Bac. In English:--St Francis Xavier Mission at
the Wa:k village. Its a little village outside Tucson city limits. The
church/ mission was founded by Father Kino, of Mexico. At one point in
history, Tucson, Nogales and some other southern Arizona cities were a
part of Spain. Then they became part of Mexico, then USA. So most
people speak Spanish, road signs say Kilometers, instead of 'miles'.
Also called the White Dove of the Desert, this church was established
in the 1700's. Went through a massive renovation project in 1995-1997.
This is the same St.Francis Xavier whose church and remains are in
Goa, India. He is the patron saint of Healing. Painting on walls,
ceilings, beautiful art work, baroque. Shopping: Museum attached to
the church is good for souvenirs. The Grotto hill museum is not
attached to the main church, but is fun to look around. Thanks to our
friend Raji, for suggesting a visit here.
Sunday Feb 6th
Breakfast at top of Mt. Lemmon at Iron door Restaurant. Built when Mt.
Lemmon was just becoming a ski destination, as a warming hut for
skiers. The legend is that the Native Americans hid their gold and
treasures in the depths of the mountains, in a cave. They marked it
with an Iron Door. However, it still remains a legend. The food was
very tasty. Our server was an elderly gentleman who had come to Mt.
Lemmon in the 1970's as a young man, to ski. He came back to Tucson in
1990's, and started work in the warming hut, now converted into a
restaurant. He had a quaint way of speech, saying things like, " I
will go now to do your bidding." Food may seem a little pricey, but
thats what you pay for eating at the top of a mountain. 9,157 ft above
sea level.!!!
Our journey up took almost an hour of driving. Imagine all employees
living in Tucson, and traveling all the way up to work every day. The
restaurant had a fireplace that immediately warmed us. I was happy to
see my spiced apple cider arrive. A warm glass of apple cider, with a
taste of cinnamon, and lemon slices. Mmmmm!!! I thank our server for
persuading me to try it. Even my french toast had a cinnamon flavor.
Recommendation: Good (and probably only) place to have a hearty meal
after a long drive.
Mt.Lemmon:-- There is no spelling mistake. It is spelled with two "m"s. Named in honor of Sarah Lemmon, who was the first one to climb to the top in 1881.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Lemmon
We were only able to ride on the ski lift. Up to the top
and back. A short ride up and down. The tickets we bought highlighted
the following: 30 miles up, 30 degrees cooler. It seemed steeper than
Snow Bowl in Flagstaff. Mt. Lemmon is 9,157 ft above sea level. If
going in Feb, as we did, be prepared for wind chill, bundle up with
earmuffs, scarves, gloves, and thick coats. The seats have cushions,
thank God!! Not cold metal.
As they say, you can see a visible difference in the flora and fauna,
as you go up Mt. Lemmon. Iwe didn't see much fauna to speak of, but
flora changes we saw. Cacti give way to coniferous trees, evergreens,
pine trees.
Drive down and then drive home.!!!! Tucson trip was FUN!!!!
HANDY TIP:- Buy the Tucson Savings Passport ( $15.00) at any visitor
center, and plan to visit most of the places listed there, you will
get good deals. Many are 2-for1 ticket prices, some have discounts.
Having a GPS navigator is handy when travelling in Tucson, esp if your
hotel is at one end of the city, like ours was.
What we did not see:
Pima air and space museum.. Saw the one on the way to Grand Canyon, so
didn’t want to see another plane museum. However, this definitely has
bigger planes on exhibit.
Colossal Caves: Mountain Park-- Situated on the way to Kartchner
Caverns. They are called as "dead caves" unlike Kartchner, which are
still alive, regenerating and changing every year.Both have limestone
formations inside.
Picacho Peak State Park:: Situated near Ostrich farm, people often get
misled to going in to the state park, than the ostrich farm. This is
probably good for campers. I don’t know what else we have there.
Tucson Downtown: House of miniatures, Fourth Ave shopping area, other
museums and botanical gardens in Tucson downtown.
TUCSON requires much more than a 2 night stay to see all the city has to offer tourists.
