Once and a while we stumble on a small business & just fall in love with it. Rocky Point Rodeo Drive has a of of shops that hold very similar tourist items. We weren’t expecting something different or new. Creating curios from shells has been a long standing tradition even when this road was simply sand and shacks. I had my own tradition of buying one particular older woman’s shell creations but when they upgraded the road a few years ago, her store disappeared. Now we have created a new tradition as once we met Salvador.
Way at the west end of the street on the north side we found a shop owned by a delightful couple. 
Salvador is showing the secure backing his wife uses on her designs.
Some of the shells are local, some are purchased, but all the work is hers.
He explained they live behind the shop and TODAY he was watching the shop and the kids while his wife was at a political luncheon for women.
Salvador’s pride in his wife’s work & her participation in the luncheon was delightful. We learned a lot about this couple in a short time from his story. They are part of the old traditions, and they are shaping in the future of their town. This is such a terrific mom and pop business. Please stop in the next time you are in Rocky Point. I know we always will.
Category: Around the Sonoran Desert
Organ Pipe National Park – A Desert Showcase
Okay so it’s in the middle of nowhere, UNLESS you are traveling to Rocky Point (Puerto Penasco, Sonora, Mexico). Every single time we pass it I say “I wish we could stop”, but the lure of the Mexican sand beach & fresh ceviche keeps us on course. We discover our friends felt the same way so we decided to stop on the way back! The Organ Pipe National Monument is a large stand of these unique type of cactus.
Similar to the saguaro this forest of organ pipes thrives in the South West corner of the Sonoran Desert. 
A stop at the Visitor’s Center to check in and then off to a 2 mile loop trail for an overview.
The views are incredible from the top of the loop.
From here you can see the border wall and into Mexico. You can’t miss it.
‘It’s easy to see where the cactus got it’s name.
Saguaro
Organ Pipe
I was surprised to see the difference in structure of the interior of the Saguaro versus the Organ Pipe.
Bonus, the Ironwood trees were in bloom creating pink patches of color.
Believe it or not this area was a large cattle ranch owned by the Gray family for a century. The last cattle taken off the land with the death of Robert Jr. Gray in 1976. 
It seems there is a lot left to discover so we will return, camp, and explore another day. For now we will just relish in the refreshing hike and head home.
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A Most Extraordinary Gift
Only 2 years apart, G grew up with his Uncle O with G’s older brother in between. Their mothers provided the three tiny children with a frying pan, some bacon & eggs, and watched as the very young boys climbed the side of the mountain behind their side by side houses. Soon there would be a small glimmer of a fire and the boys made their own breakfast. All day the boys would be immersed in their cowboy existence on that Phoenix mountain. 
By today’s standards the boys would be considered too young to be making a fire, climbing trails, staying on a mountain all day, shooting 22’s at an imaginary enemy. It is their experience to share and their memories together.
- G’s Bronzed Boots from those days.
This week O presented G with a most extraordinary handmade knife. Using an antler and a piece of steel, he forged and polished to such a sharp edge it slices through a piece of paper so easily, sharper than a razor.
When someone shares a piece of their artistic soul, their art, you just KNOW that you are holding a piece of their heart in your hand.
Thank you Uncle O for such a memorable gift.
- Wait up guys!
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Ancient Wonder Next Door
We often travel far to see an ancient site sometimes asking a local for a review only to find that they haven’t even heard of their local attraction. We were surprised until we realized we had done the SAME THING in our hometown. Since our revelation we are determined to explore more sites nearby In fact we had a lot of fun recently at the Signal Hill Petroglyphs located in the Saguaro National Park West just few miles away.
We took a picnic and enjoyed a few little animals and birds. Great place to enjoy a picnic lunch at the well kept covered tables.
Just to the east is an easy path leading to the petroglyphs. 
They are said to have been created by the Hohokam people. We stop to to imagine what the artist was trying to convey with these symbols.
Looking over the valley from this site I can see how it would have been chosen as a beacon for travelers.
I have to say it’s been fun discovering adventure right in our own back yard.
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Treasure Hunting At The Gem Show
Each February vendors come to Tucson, AZ to exhibit gems, minerals, fossils, boulders, and natural art at the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show.
The logistics of shipping the tremendous amount of heavy rock always amazes me. In just a few weeks tons of material arrive in Tucson. I picture an off-balance washing machine thumping away; except its the earth wobbling from the excess weight.
I have my favorite venues. The Co-Op on Oracle Rd always has a large petrified wood room with different tables on display every year. I highly recommend hugging petrified tree millions of years old whenever one gets a chance.
My favorite room at the Co-Op has Septarian geodes from Utah. I check their room first thing on the first day as they are very popular.
The Co-Op is handicap accessible and always has fossils to see.
We tried the new venue advertised as the “upscale” 22nd street show. Not my type of product but found some interesting art!
These bat coffins are quite interesting. However pants would have been a good idea. I was not prepared to see bat genitalia so early in the morning.
Also proof that someone whacked that Geico lizard. Perhaps now we can stop contemplating why a Gecko selling insurance in the US has a UK accent and has access to Navy aircraft carriers.
In the olden days (I’d say even 10 years ago) there were only a few different venues hosting exhibits. It was easy to see in a couple of days. The fame of the Tucson Gem Show spread and now there are venues all over town.
After the 4th or 5th venue it can feel like repetition, However, treasure may be right around the corner. 
I try to buy my supplies from returning vendors to show support to them for coming back each year. Half the fun of the treasure hunt is talking to the vendors and listen to their story. People come from all over the world. There are so many different paths that lead to the Gem Show!
One of the more artistic booths has unique gem inlaid pictures. Every year they exhibit and have a darkened room where the art is illuminated from behind. Impossible to capture the beauty in a photo.
When I tell the exhibitor that ‘this is always one of my favorite booths”, she animatedly responds “Oh do you posses one of our pieces?” I tell her “I wish” as I run my hand over the cool metal and stone.
One of the returning booths only sells Himalayan Salt Lamps. If you see one you want buy it because if you wait to “buy it on the way out so I can take it straight to the car” it the treasure will be gone.
There are miles and miles of beads,
Gems,
Fossils,
Art,
Collections,
Treasure hunters bring your walking shoes! There is no place like the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show.
Replenishing my supplies: Hopefully enough to get me through 2018. Until the next treasure hunt at least…
Ready to go! Excited to use some of the new product in the projects. Stay tuned to Desertwindsgallery.com
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I’itoi Cave
Since I was a young girl I heard about a mysterious sacred cave in the Baboquivari Mountains on the Tohono O’Odham Reservation southwest of Tucson, AZ. I have always been fascinated by the sharp contrast of the Baboquivari Mountain Range against the sky.
Rising high above the desert Babo Peak has been written about for centuries as a beacon for those who travel through the valleys. Unfamiliar with the permits required for hiking on the reservation, and not knowing the trails, I searched and found an archaeological tour group heading to I’itoi Cave. I was thrilled to finally climb that famous peak. 
The archaeologist and guide is Al Dart from Old Pueblo Archaeology . The tour was so well organized and we felt like we were hiking with friends. His knowledge and passion for sharing information exceeded our expectations. Highly recommended for a first look at any area one is interested in exploring! Traveling by SUV for12 miles on an un-maintained road, our group arrived at the Baboquivari Campground Area to find campers taking down a tee pee from the previous night’s birthday celebration. 
Al was quick to point out that the tee pee is not part of the Tohono O’Odham culture but had been used for this particular ceremony and overnight stay. He went on to describe the history of the area in great detail. Even at this early stage of the tour we could tell this would be a wonderful experience.
The campground area is beautiful and worth exploring. 
Above us and surrounding us like a giant hug stood Babo Peak. 
The hike to I’itoi Cave is a little over mile on a trail rated difficult. 
Fortunately our guide made frequent stops along the trek pointing out both man made and natural wonders along the way. 
He included reading excerpts of early European explorers during our rest stops.The views are spectacular and unspoiled from this vista. 
What a perfect day to hike.
The cave has a tiny triangular entrance behind an outcropping of rock. 
It’s a wonder anyone found it at all. It is said I’itoi still lives there as protector of the Tohono O’Odham people. Iitoi is sometimes referred to as “Older Brother”. Some traditions have him entering the cave through a labyrinth and others refer to him as the man in the maze.
We were met by the caretaker/shaman of the Baboquivari Wilderness Area who was waiting by the entrance. He is said to be over 60 and makes the climb three times a week.
He told us stories about I’itoi and Eagle Man who had been sent to earth by the creator. Both of them were tasked with making people so they each set out to make people of different colors. Eagle Man’s people did not survive but I’itoi’s purple people were strong and became the Tohono O’Odham.
When someone asks him the best way to enter/exit the cave, he laughed and said you can go in however you want, but “there’s only one way out, head first, like being born”.
We took turns, 6 at a time went in. G and I waited our turn and watched as each person came out of the cave differently… and yep, we all looked just like a birth. Everyone re-entered the world differently. Some needed assistance to which helpers joked about needing forceps. Other than the occasional awkward exit from the cave, it was quiet and peaceful, everyone speaking softly.
The shaman/caretaker was asked why he let non natives enter the cave. More specifically, why he would let Catholic or Christian symbols be placed as offerings. His answer was beautiful. He said he had thought about it many times, and had meditated about it for a long time here in the cave. He said he believes that there is one god, different to the different cultures, but still one. He said their story is similar to a Christian story. They share a flood story, and I’itoi died and rose again. As long as people are respectful, he wants to share this sacred cave with the anyone seeking it’s peace.
Finally our turn came. We aren’t allowed to take pictures inside the cave and I can see why. Whether or not one believes in I’itoi as a deity or not, there is a unique reverence entering the darkness. A shaft of light is just enough to see the uneven walls of the cave and shines deep toward the sloping back wall. What lies inside are the prayers, hopes and dreams of those who had come before. I noticed a faint scent of incense as I knelt down to add two little purple flowers that I had brought from home. I gave them my own meaning as I placed them in the fine dust on the floor so they would just catch the corner of the sunbeam. My own experience was energizing kneeling there on the soft dirt. Following the sun I exited out the triangle hole and slid back to the real world.
Refreshed we all headed down the mountain to the next stop….Petroglyphs.
There is an outcropping of rock on the valley floor peppered with petroglyphs
Protected by an overhang they have been here for centuries.
Some of the red pictographs are dated at over 5,000 years old. The whiter carved petroglyphs more modern, around 500 years and have Hohokam influence.
Some areas had holes used for grinding. A new tradition to toss coins into them as a prediction of future events.
As the sun faded to a glorious Arizona sunset it was time to say goodbye.
Renewed and tired we headed back to Tucson holding the Shaman’s words in our heart, we are all one people.
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Ajo, AZ who knew?
A few weeks ago we accidentally poorly timed driving across the Mexican border and ended up crossing during the busiest Sunday rush. Consequently we were delayed in line for over an hour.
- We had been in line for a while. Still a long way to go as I can’t yet see the Flags. Vendors walk along selling to captives of traffic.
We had given away our food that is illegal to bring back into the U.S. (which is pretty much everything we like) We gave it to our friend Rosa who sells her delicious tamales on the beach. Time meandered way past lunchtime and we were hungry. The few gas station stores along the route didn’t sound appealing. Well, mainly because the LAST time G purchased a “Tornado Dog” (mystery meat wrapped in corn meal-supposed to be chicken) which led to an uncomfortable evening. The Tornado part of the title lived up to the name. We decided to drive the 10 miles west out of our way to Ajo, AZ. Founded 1854 .
I told G “I can’t remember ever having been here before”. He tells me how he used to call on the Ajo when he was in sales in the 70″s. He held up his arm, pointed to his armpit, and says “here’s Ajo”. NOT true today! 
Expecting the worst, I was surprised at the cute renovations on the rows of old mining bungalows, restoration of Municipal buildings, and churches. 
Perhaps the most impressive is the tremendous amount of street art.
Not just art, each piece was meaningful and moving. Spent so much time here studying them, wondering about the artist, feeling the pain expressed through this beauty. Viewing them I felt overwhelming sadness, pain, anger, happiness, beauty. I touched the hot brick gently perhaps trying to connect with the artist to hug them and thank them for sharing their soul. A few examples below. 
Unfortunately there was not a fast food establishment and our tummies are protesting noisily. Perhaps lack of a modern drive thru fast food establishment is how it should be in this antique town. We stopped at the a local spot, Agave Grill, an asian fusion restaurant and enjoyed the fresh food and local atmosphere. Full and satisfied G turned the RV around and headed east toward home talking about how Ajo. AZ was such a pleasant surprise.
MORAL OF THE STORY; Don’t judge a town by the 70’s , OR- G’s armpit is more artistic and lovely than previously thought.
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Good Geode Hunting
The theme of this week’s hike was geode hunting. Following directions down an unmaintained forest road we found ourselves just north of the Mexican Border at an abandoned corral. 
The summer rains have filled the canyon with life.
Caterpillars and butterflies everywhere. 
There is a slight breeze gently whispers through the valley. We have our picnic in quiet reverence.
Time to find what we came for. The hike up the canyon is beautiful and we are looking for a 90 degree turn north where a geode collecting area is located. The suspense hunting for treasure is exciting. 
I turned & jumped when I saw this Chupacabra…
It’s just G holding up a COW PELVIS. Gross. Of course he wants to take it home. “You could make something from it!” No no no. Nope. No….Sigh.
So far the hike is the treasure. 
We aren’t sure what we are looking for. About 100 yards past the 90 degree turn in the canyon north, rocks peppered with small geodes are everywhere.
There are big holes in the cliff walls where large geodes were removed. It’s so hard to get them out. Someone had better tools than we are using.
It takes a really, really long time to chip out with a pick. Now we have a few little geodes to cut & polish…
…and beautiful memories.
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Nogales Sonora Mexico Has My Heart
As long as I can remember I loved trips to Nogales, Sonora, Mexico. We lived a mere 70 miles north of the Mexican border and the ever-changing City of Nogales. We had traveled through on our way to Guaymas many times when I was a child but only stopped long enough to obtain a visa and move on. It seemed as soon as we crossed the border, life immediately changed.
We often crossed at night so I had to strain to see the city as dimly lit buildings flashed past the open truck window. Delicious smoke from open fire grills and outdoor stoves made me want to stop and stay with the families. Later my older sister would be allowed to take a high school trip with her friends and returned with colorful stories and fancy souvenirs.
It would be years until I would be old enough for my parents to let me go on my own. Nogales offered just what I needed as a teen in the 70’s. Leather shops, blankets hanging in the sidewalks, colorful wood carvings and ceramics everywhere. Now mixed with the delicious smell of Mexican food and firewood was leather, wood and hot blankets in the sun.
Since then we have made several friends, visited houses on the cliffs, stayed too long, not long enough…Nogales. I love the smells of this city. We found a Cantina on a back road with chicken cooking on a grill outside and the smell was AMAZing! There were many locals waiting in line for their order. 
A friendly man saw me taking pictures and came out to tell us that yesterday the streets were flooded with 5 or 6 meters of rain. He showed us the pictures of the arches across the street barely above the waterline. I didn’t get his pictures but below is the picture of the approaching storm. We are all hoping it would not flood like yesterday. Shops were ready with sandbags and everyone was optimistic. 
It seems Nogales has grown up right along with me. Medical tourism is now a large source of income. Pharmacies and dental offices line the streets where blankets once hung over sidewalks. Medication may cost less than half here. My favorite dentist is here. We like to wander before and after appointments. Of course one MUST stop at La Roca to eat.
- La Roca Entrance to the courtyard.
The plaza is cool and inviting. 
Bright Colors and art adorn the sidewalks.
Walking back over the bridge we are above the lines of cars crossing the border from Mexico into the USA.
There are still some tourist shops. These young men played dominoes to pass the time during the slow summer season. The intense one on the right is winning. 
Curios still line the streets as traffic leaves Mexico to enter the US.
Old meets new. 
There is a feeling when I cross the border through the turnstyle, walking on slick tile, then the bricks, past the chatter of the taxi drivers, toward the main street of Obregon. Although the city changes with the needs of the tourists, the people and the city we love stays the same. Nogales, Sonora, Mexico.
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Hey! There’s A Bobcat In The Yard!
In the Southern Arizona heat the little ones find shade and water near the house
We love watching the rabbits and quail every evening 
Sometimes someone stops by and scares our little friends away.
Scary Falcon.
Tonight we came home, looked out the window to check on our little friends and saw this guy.
This cat just watching the backyard perhaps looking for our little friends or enjoying the soft grass.
We said hey, he says hey back.
Pretty soon it’s time to move on.
Such a beautiful animal!
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