Tubac, Arizona: The snow overnight was significant enough to cause a "snow day" for the local schools and was the main topic of conversation everywhere we went this afternoon. Though the elevation is around 3500 feet, snow isn't that common around Tubac.
Santa Rita Mountains - our view to the eastWe woke to clear skies and very cold temperatures. Dave had phone calls and conference calls schedule throughout the day, but we had a three hour window in the middle of the day, so headed out just before noon.
First stop, fuel at Wisdom's Cafe, one of the best restaurants we tried (twice) on our last visit to Tubac. Nothing fancy, but very good Mexican food and one of the best margarita in the area. The restaurant is a bit unusual because (even though they have a statue of a chicken with antlers in the parking lot) they have very little chicken on the menu. Instead they offer shredded poached turkey breast. One of the most popular dining spots in this area, the restaurant is always crowded and have drink and menu specials. Closed Sundays.
We ordered their famous Cheese Crisp, which is really just an open-faced quesadilla with green chilies. It is super delicious, but super huge (and super cheap - $6.50). It would be enough for lunch for two, but we wanted to try other things, so just had a sample.
DT ordered an ala carte chile rellano (which he said was a bit bready; the first item ordered here that wasn't first-rate), but he loved his green corn tamale... then he helped me with my massive Turkey Lila - basically a tostada salad for only $8.75.
Note my margarita in the canning jar. Note that Tuesday is Two-For-One Margarita Day and note I only had one margarita because one margarita is all anyone should ever have at Wisdom's Cafe. Strong!After lunch we drove a bit down the road to the Santa Cruz Chili & Spice Company. They make four of their own salsas (we like their Hot Picante Sauce) and a few chile pastes, but the rest of the shop consists of spices and other condiments from around the world. The gift shop has a reasonable collection of Mexican and Southwest cookbooks, books about the local area, history and people and a very good selection of desert-inspired books for children.
Our next stop was also in the area - the Tumacacori Mesquite Sawmill, a working mill that produces furniture, mantles, burl-top tables, lovely cutting boards and amazing turquoise-inlaid turned bowls from responsibly harvested mesquite trees. The owner gave us a quick tour and showed us a gorgeous custom dining table under construction.
The gem-inlaid bowls cost hundreds of dollars, but a gorgeous mesquite cutting board can be taken home for $30-$80.In the little time we had left between phone calls, we walked around the artistic little town of Tubac. If we stayed in the sunshine, we were quite warm (wearing jackets!) and it was an enjoyable stroll. So many pretty things in the Tubac galleries, but nothing came home with us today.
TubacAnother evening spent inside our cozy RV (State of the Union speech and the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show) with the radiant tile floor heaters on "high". I made a pot of my Hot Sour Soup - a nice spicy vegetarian meal - with dried shitake mushrooms.
The weather is supposed to return to the 60's tomorrow and be in the 70's by Friday. Good news, as we have several tee-times scheduled.Until my next update, I remain, your fully-clothed correspondent.
RV PARK: De Anza RV Resort - 125 really big spaces, full hook-up pull-through and back-ins, free wifi, cable television, bathhouse, laundry, 38,000 square foot clubhouse with indoor heated saltwater swimming pool, restaurant, game rooms, bocce, croquet, water aerobics, rally facilities. Many activities, socials and parties. With the weekly rate, we are paying $35 per night.