Green Valley, AZ

Can you believe this is a January landscape?

Mining is just another part of the landscape in Arizona, and it's one of the state's major employers. The terraces above are part of the Sierrita Mine, located just west of the town of Green Valley, AZ.

To the east of Green Valley is one of the most beautiful parts of the Coronado National Forest, the Santa Rita Mountain Range.

It includes my favorite hiking area, the Mount Wrightson Wilderness. I can get there in 35 minutes from my home.

Located less than 40 miles from Mexico, the Mt. Wrightson Wilderness attracts birders from around the world.

The reason? As spring approaches, many Central American species of birds migrate north through Mexico to Arizona, and they nest in the Madera Canyon / Mt. Wrightson Wilderness area.

The one in the photo below is called the Elegant Trogon. The dark cape around the head is emerald green, and the lighting in my photo doesn't do it justice.

Call to Action:

Come and visit! Bring your binoculars and your camera. And don't forget to let me know you're coming!

And one last thing ~ Thanks for subscribing to my blog!
Here's another post about Madera Canyon to wet your whistle. Click the link.

Unique Chalet Graces Madera Canyon Near Green Valley, Arizona

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I'm Mike in Tucson, your preferred Tucson Mortgage Lender.

NMLS #223495

SUNSTREET MORTGAGE llc ~ Mortgage Bankers, Not Brokers!
Offices in Scottsdale, Tucson, and Nogales, AZ, and Albuquerque, NM.

Call me on my Blackberry (520) 349-9090

photos copyright Mike in Tucson

Lovely 2 bedroom 2 bath home. Move in ready. All appliances convey. Wonderful landscaping in backyard - quiet age restricted community close to shopping, medical, golf courses. This is a must see and priced to sell. Close to golf courses, such as Desert Hills Golf Clube, shopping and restaurants. In the Continental School District with Continental Elementary, Continental Middle, and an optional high school.

For more details and CURRENT pricing call 520-885-9000.

You wouldn't think to find this cottage near Tucson.

It looks more like something you would find in the European Alps.

The city of Tucson has a program called "Tucson Will Surprise You!" It's true. There are hidden gems in and around this 1,000,000 plus population that you just wouldn't expect. But I digress...

I hiked in Madera Canyon yesterday afternoon, driving out from the trailhead at sunset. The cottage in the photo is halfway up the canyon toward the trailhead, and although it's usually open, this July 4th weekend must have been an owner's holiday.

There are more than twenty miles of trails up, over and around Mt. Wrightson (Old Baldy) and the surrounding peaks. South of Madera Canyon road, the setting sun painted Elephant Head in shades of blue, while the northerly part of the Santa Rita range featured the rising full moon.

It was a magical hike, one I'm sure you would enjoy. Call me for directions if you're planning a vacation in greater Tucson. The trailhead is at elevation 5,000, so it's a cool hike for summertime. If you go all the way to the top, you'll gain nearly another mile in elevation.

___________________

I'm Mike in Tucson, your preferred Tucson, AZ Mortgage lender.

Call me if I can help you with a purchase or refi mortgage;
(520) 349-9090

Photos copyright Mike in Tucson

PRICE REDUCTION OFFERED AT $300,000 SHORT SALE

5956 S Meadow Hills Loop Green Valley, Arizona.

2 Bedrooms and 2 Bath Great vacation or second retirement Home 2,130 sq. ft. in Green Valley, AZ. This is a Short Sale. Open Floorplan Tile Roof. You will love this property.

MLS#40990

For more details call 520-940-0614 or visit www.myrealestateofarizona.com/ to view all of our listings.

Thank you,

Ralph Schnelle
RE/Max-Valley Properties
Green Valley, AZ. 85614
520-940-0614- cell
520-300-5445- fax
www.my-real-estate-of-arizona.com/

The sign said OPEN RANGE. They weren't kidding.

There's an old cabin at about 6,000' elevation on Magee Ranch Road, west of Green Valley on a patent mine claim, land that's been in the Magee family for five generations. The only access to the road is on foot, unless you have a key to the gate. I don't.

I hiked in today because I've never written a real estate post about land that's been in the same family for five generations, and I knew you would enjoy reading about it.

The cemetery on the right hand side of the dirt road is the first thing you see. I unlatched the gate and spent half an hour reading the gravestones. (Epitaphs on gravestones are one of my favorite things.)

This particular gravestone is etched with the drawing of a cabin, and in front to the right is a circular structure with a vertical bar in the center. I knew what that was; I'd seen it up the mountain on a previous hike.

Latching the gate behind me, I continued up the road. The cemetery is at elevation 5,000. My destination, three miles or so in front of me, lay 1,000 feet higher.

I startled the bull every bit as much as he startled me. He had been taking a nap in a patch of Mexican Blue Oaks and juniper. Up came the camera. Thank goodness for autofocus. And as I clicked the shutter, it occured to me that this young bull hadn't had the pleasure of making my acquaintance.

I work cattle every April in Caddo, Oklahoma--this year will be my 14th year working the same herd. I'm comfortable around cattle. Usually.

When the head starts to come down, and the tail goes up, it's time to skedaddle. We weren't 20 feet apart. I fixed that real quick.

I found the cabin an hour later. This part of Magee Ranch is a patent mining claim established in the 1800s.

Do you know what that circular thing on the right (and on the tombstone) happens to be?

I'll tell you tomorrow.

___________________________________________________________

I'm Mike in Tucson, your preferred Tucson, AZ Mortgage lender.

Think of me as your Tucson mortgage expert.

Call me if I can help you with a purchase or refi mortgage;
(520) 349-9090

photos copyright Mike in Tucson (all rights reserved)