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| Postcard perfect – the Catelina Mountains |
Tucson Arizona – a beautiful southern state
Tucson is nestled in the shadow of the beautiful Catelina mountains. Once the site of gold, silver and copper mining in the 1850’s, it is now a protected area. It is also a destination for outdoor activities including hiking and even skiing in the winter time.
The Santa Catelina mountains (named after St Catherine) are on the northern perimeter of Tucson. The highest point is Mount Lemmon at 9,157 feet above sea level. I got to admire them from the lovely Rancho Merlita.
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| Cary Grant has stepped out for a moment |
The Rancho Merlita
The ranch was originally the desert getaway of cosmetic queen Merle Norman. It’s decor from the 1950’s and 60’s hasn’t changed a bit. The huge living room with its leather sofas and cool retro look, has a majestic rock fireplace. It is constructed from locally mined rhyolite, which is the volcanic equivalent of granite.
The whole dining room looks just like something from the set of Hitchcock’s film North by North West. I kept expecting Cary Grant to sweep suavely into the room in an impeccable suit and say something dry and witty.
The ranch has a pretty, saltwater pool and the grounds are landscaped with sculptural cacti. There are lots of interesting design features and some gorgeous decorative touches.
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| Choices, choices |
Tuscon – next door to Mexico
We are close to the border with Mexico here and much of the artwork and furniture in Tucson’s up market accommodation reflects this this. I LOVE Mexican art and design, from the furniture to the ceramics to the tin ornaments to the beautiful recycled glass.
In downtown Tucson there is a block in the warehouse district south of Broadway called the Barrio Historico. It is a collection of spacious shops selling authentic Southwest/Mexican decor and furnishings. The rustic furniture is beautiful but rather large. The ornaments and ceramics have the advantage of being easier to take home.
The Day of the Dead
It was the Day of the Dead when I was there (November 1st after Halloween) The day of the Dead or ‘Dia de los Muertos’ – is a big deal in these parts.
More than 500 years ago, the Spanish Conquistadors landed in what is now central Mexico. They encountered natives practising a ritual that seemed to mock death.
It was a ritual the indigenous people had been practising for at least 3,000 years. Although the ritual merged with Catholic theology, it still maintains the basic principles of the original Aztec version, such as the use of skulls. You will see lots of decorated skulls and jaunty skeletons engaged in social activities. Death as a part of life is central to this ancient celebration.
Tucson – special shopping
Another shopping treat close to the Rancho Merlita is a fabulous wholesaler of marvellous Mexican items called Borderlands and I was also very excited at their not inconsiderable range of Mexican furniture, rustic home furnishing and Mexican pottery.
All gorgeous stuff. You may not need a huge jewel and silver encrusted tin cross or a beautiful Talevera tiled mirror but you really really want one after a visit there. I had to make do with a few bits and pieces I could fit into my rucksack hand luggage.
You can buy things on line, but once you’ve paid carriage and duty it’s not such a cheap option anymore, so if you do go to Tucson from the UK, make sure you have a lot of space in your case. If you’re from the US you don’t have so much to worry about, as free shipping is common.
Sunny stays and fantastic shopping in Tucson Arizona
There’s an surprising amount to do in this laidback sunny part of the southern United States. From cowboys and rodeos, to stargazing, shopping and native American culture. This is a top notch vacation destination.
Quite a few Americans have moved here from chillier and much more northerly states. It does get very hot here in the summer but most residents do not want to return to the cold. Long days of guaranteed sunshine are always a big attraction in themselves. Arizona is the Spanish interpretation of “arizuma.” This is an Aztec Indian word that means “silver-bearing. It’s great state to explore.
History of Tucson Arizona
The second-biggest city in the State of Arizona, Tucson is one of the most fascinating destinations in the US.
Tucson is known for the breathtaking Sonoran Desert and its amazing Southwestern cuisine. It also has some of the cleanest air of any major city worldwide.The State of Arizona spent a few centuries as a Spanish, and later as a Mexican subject before joining the union.
During its early American period, from 1854 until well into the 1910s, Tucson in particular was a major flashpoint in the part-national fairy tale, part-dark chapter of history that we like to call the Old West.
Many famous swashbuckling gunslingers like Wyatt Earp were very familiar with Tucson environs.
In fact, Tucson is the closest major city to the location of the infamous gunfight at the O.K. Corral. For this reason many classic Westerns, from the Golden Age of Hollywood all the way to Revisionist Westerns from the 90s, were filmed in the area.
Tucson’s Native American connections
Tucson was founded on the territory of the Yaqui, Pima, Apache, and other Native American tribes. In fact, the name of the place derives from an O’Odham word. Settlement on this land stretches back millenia, possibly further back than any other region on the continent north of Mexico City.
Today, centuries after disenfranchisement and genocide at the hands of the Spanish, many Native tribal members still live in the area, forming a vital part of the local community.
Arguably Tucson’s most widely exported and famous souvenir, a style of turquoise jewelry, comes from Native traditions.
