Southwest Garden Fun

We stepped back into this courtyard in Tubac and couldn't believe all the cool ideas. Now I need to get busy at home using some of the antique garden 'stuff' that's been hiding in the garage since we moved.

Cowboy just hangin' out on a bench.

This Indian's leg is a little twisted. Ouch!

Love this fountain and the bike planter!

A gigantic mosaic skull.

Cool garden art!

Cool chair!

Foolproof desert flowers!

Wish I had one of these old shopping carts!

Hee-haw!

Some more metal garden art.

Lots of inspiration! And that 'stuff' in the garage is just waiting to make its debut.

Trek to Tubac!

There aren't any beaches in Arizona, but it's still a great place to explore! One Saturday morning last November, we got up early and headed to Tubac, Arizona. It's a two hour trip south from our house. Tubac's located just north of the Mexican border, and was founded in 1752 as a Spanish presidio (fort). It was the first Spanish garrison in what is now the state of Arizona and one of the stops on the Camino Real that led from Mexico to Spanish settlements in California. Today, galleries, other shops, and restaurants occupy many of the old homes and buildings. It's a fun place to look at Mexican folkart, buy pots, have lunch, and explore the historic sites. Since the town is situated in a high desert area surrounded by mountains, the temps are cooler here in the summer and winter. I always LOVE a chance to put on some fleece!

This is not my video, but one I found on YouTube. It gives a more complete view of the village than my pictures. (There's a slight political slant, but it'll give you a good overall feel for the town.)

Here are some of my photos from the trip!

The Old Presidio Tubac

Small Chapel/Shrine

Really cool pots! Notice the pig shaped barbecue!

Cool Gallery Door!

Presidio Window

Saguaro

These benches out in front of this house look like sofas!

Another Cool Door!

Prickly Pear Cactus

This shop, La Cucaracha Tubac, is one of my favorites. In addition to the cool pots, fountains, and ironwork they display outside, they also have a huge selection of beautiful hand-carved furniture, hardward trimmings for the house, Mexican folklore including Day of the Dead artwork, etc... It's pretty amazing.

This shop towards the back of the old town area also carries a large selection of pots, chimineas, fountains, etc... Here are some of my Tubac purchases.

There are also several old missions in the area that we didn't have time to explore, so I'm planning my return tour! Someday soon!