Picacho, AZ

~ Stormy Sunset at Picacho Peak ~

I'll bet you didn't know (until you stumbled across this little blog) that Tucson in 1862 was the western capital of the Confederate Arizona Territory. It was. Google it.

This peak, about 40 minutes northwest of Tucson (along Interstate 10) marks the site of the westerlymost battle of the Civil War. It's called Picacho Peak, and I've stood on the very top of that granite outcropping you see there, snapping photos for you, and just enjoying the view.

Here's some of what you'll see on your way to the top:

Can't you imagine the real life drama that unfolded down there, as the Confederate pickets defeated the Union Cavalry? This was the era when Cochise led the Apaches. It really was the Wild West!

_____________________

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

NMLS #223495

SUNSTREET MORTGAGE llc ~ Correspondent Mortgage Bank
Offices (AZ) Mesa, Tucson, Nogales, and Albuquerque, NM.

(I don't copyright my photos anymore.
I use them mostly for blogging
and creating greeting cards for friends and clients.)

Right click on an image, copy and use it!

Click the Send Out Cards logo below.
Send a real card to someone you love.
(Card and postage are free ~ on me. Thanks for reading my blog.)

~ Serendipity Saguaro Sunrise ~

Tuesday sunrise found me driving on I-10 between Tucson and Phoenix in the tiny town of Picacho, and I saw these clouds in my rear view mirror. Pulling off the highway, I started snapping photos of the spectacular color. It wasn't until I downloaded the photos to my computer that I saw the Giant Saguaros (out of the photo to your left) perfectly mirrored on the side of the big rig on the right.

Never miss an opportunity to snap a photo. You're making memories!

___________________

(I don't copyright my photos anymore.
I use them mostly for blogging
and creating greeting cards for friends.)

Right click on an image, copy and use it!

Click the Send Out Cards logo below.
Send a real card to someone you love.
(Card and postage are free ~ on me. Thanks for reading my blog.)

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

NMLS #223495

SUNSTREET MORTGAGE llc ~ Correspondent Mortgage Bank
Offices (AZ) Mesa, Tucson, Nogales, and Albuquerque, NM.

"Cheep"! Things to Do near NW Tucson and Marana

Recession - depression: Activity - recovery!

Don't sit in front of your television - go on a mission -- For Fun! For Family! For You!

Want some fun things to do with the family, on a date, or just because, without emptying the pocketbook? I hope to visit this topic every so often, focusing generally on the NW side of Tucson, Marana, and some Oro Valley areas, strictly because they are in close proximity to my home in Gladden Farms, Marana, AZ. On occasion, I'll also add in some day trips, like this fun trip to Wilcox, AZ! And, if you're into wellness, check out this great activity on Wednesday evenings in Marana!

Over Christmas, my family all came home for the holidays and we took a drive north 20 minutes!

WHO: Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Ranch near Picacho, AZ

WHAT: The Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Ranch is family owned and operated business, covering 600 acres and over a thousand black hen roosters. In fact, they boast the Largest flock of Pure South African Blacks anywhere in the world outside of Outshone, South Africa. But the best news is, their business is our fun!

WHERE: Official address, 17599 E Peak Lane
Driving directions, take exit 219 at Picacho Peak, follow the frontage road on the west side of the freeway for one mile south

WHEN: May through September, hours of operation are 9-5:30 p.m. Friday through Monday
October through April open Thursday through Tuesday
Admission is $5 a person, including feed and nectar
Refills - $2 each
For an added bonus, Monster Truck tours are also available at $10 each

WHY: There are several things you can do at Rooster Cogburn's.

1. First on the list of course, experiencing the Ostrich. There are several ways to feed them!
   a. put a handful of feed in the chutes provided and it goes through the fence to the ostriches
   b. put the feed in the pans on top of the fence and take photos with Picacho peak in the background
   c. thrill seekers can hold the food flat in the center of your hands. Of course, my children had to try putting the feed on their arm...

NOTE: Ostriches do not have teeth but they can peck.
Yes, it does hurt. Yes, my son did have a slightly bloody arm.

2. On a tamer note, visit the deer...even babies can join in

3. Feed the donkeys...also very tame

4. And then there's the goats...let the photos speak for themselves.

5. Last of all, step into the Lorikeet forest. This is a special place, 5,000 sq. feet especially created for their habitat. These gorgeous birds come to you and eat nectar right out of your cup.

a. yes, they land everywhere - hats are great

So, to review, why should you go?

1. Do you know how much conversation is stimulated when interacting with all these animals?
2. Kodak moments. Taking a camera or video cam gets all the best shots up close.
2. Educational - did you know ostriches weigh up to 400 lbs, eight to nine feet tall? Better yet, they can run up to 40 mph? Did you know an Ostrich will live to be 50 - 75 years old?
Cooks out there - did you know an ostrich egg is the equivalent in volume to two dozen chicken eggs? To hard boil an egg would take 1 1/2 hours.
3. Something for everyone - animal lovers, scholars - babies to grandparents. Finish up your visit with SHOPPING - you can pick up a feather duster for $10!

These old stone ruins surely have a story to tell, but they're not talking. I was exploring west of the Santa Cruz River yesterday afternoon when I came upon them.

Standing all alone in the desert southwest of Picacho Peak, they are built of the volcanic rock that was the areas most abundant building resource a century ago. Most of the lintels are gone, but a few remain. The walls of the interior were plastered white, and the home must have been something to see in it's heyday.

The cresote bushes in the front yard may be as old as a thousand years, but that's another story. (Google creosote bushes if you're interested.)

That's Picacho Peak in the midground of the photo. It's the site of the most westerly battle of the Civil War. I wish you could have come along for the hike. Maybe next time. Call me.

___________________

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

SUNSTREET MORTGAGE
Call me if I can help you or someone you know
with a purchase or refi mortgage.
(520) 349-9090

photo copyright Mike in Tucson 2009

Greg (one of our tribe of five) and I had driven from Tucson to Picacho to climb Picacho Peak last Saturday. Greg's a commercial fisherman from Barnegat Light, NJ.

Picacho Peak looks as if it would take a mountain climber to scale the height, but looks are deceiving. In the 1940s, there was a beacon on top to warn aircraft at night.

We reached the top a little after noon, and joined a troop of Boy Scouts on the summit.

The southerly peak (3,370') is the highest point, and after an arduous climb, most hikers turn right around and go back down.

Greg and I were looking at the crystalline formations that run through the rock, and we hiked to the north end of the summit.

That's where I found this little bleached white snail shell. It's the size of a dime. The only thing I can figure is that a bird found it on the relatively cool north side of the formation and carried it up there for lunch.

I placed the shell on top of a young saguaro cactus to stage the photo. If you climb Picacho Peak, it's likely still there. That northern peak doesn't get much foot traffic.

The snail, the cactus, and the surrounding desert give it surrealistic feel. I made a greeting card with the photo for my Send Out Cards business. If you would like the greeting card with the photo, contact me through Active Rain with your mailing address, and I'll send it to you! (I appreciate my readers. Thanks for subscribing to my blog. Remember: Snail Mail Address! LOL)

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

photo copyright Mike in Tucson (all rights reserved)