Wednesday we visited Queen Creek Olive Mill but were really not whatwe were expecting. Oh there were lots of tourists, lot of their products were on display for purchase and their restaurant was busy but there wasn't an olive tree or vineyard in sight. Maybe we were thinking it would be more like the wineries we've been to in California where you really feel the experience of being in a vineyard.
We did pick up a few things though like a big bottle of roasted garlic extra virgin olive oil.
Sorry no photos from here.
On our way back we stopped at The Pork Shop which is only a few miles down the road. This turned out to be right up our ally.
From their website;
"The Pork Shop carries a complete line of fresh specialty pork cuts such as baby back ribs, Iowa cut chops, top rib chops, St. Louis cut spare ribs, boneless rolled loin roasts, as well as all the standard cuts such as center cut chops, pan fry chops, pork steaks, country ribs, loin end roasts, pork butts, and many others. We exclusively use select quality corn fed mid-western pork to bring you the freshest, tastiest, and best selection of pork in the valley.".
Had to pick up a few goodies including smoked bacon (delicious), smoked breakfast sausage links, home made smoked hot dogs (wieners), garlic bologna (more like thin sliced sausage) and some country ribs which are going into the slow cooker today...pics of those for sure!!
Cayward Farms, the cotton farm, we won't visit until after the owners return in early March from their place in El Centro, CA. The cotton is already picked so not sure what we'll get to see.
Today we drove about 20 miles East to visit the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument...very intersting, informative and another example of the great history in the Southwest United States.Borrowed the following from their website;"Do you know the difference between a National Monument and a National Park is the way they are created. National Parks require Congressional approval but National Monuments are established by Executive Order of the President. The establishment of Casa Grande Ruins was the first federal prehistoric and cultural reservation by President Benjamin Harrison in 1892.
This is the site that was an Ancient Sonoran Desert People's farming community and "Great House" which are preserved at Casa Grande Ruins. Whether the Casa Grande was a gathering place for the Desert People or simply a waypoint marker in an extensive system of canals and trading partners is but part of the mystique of the Ruins. Trying to find the right mix of old and new for coating the historic walls has been a never ending test. Current efforts use a slurry of caliche soil and a small amount of additive. An estimated six million pounds of caliche were used in the construction of the Casa Grande. Caliche is a naturally occurring soil consisting of clay, sand and calcium carbonate found in the deserts of the southwest.
Who were the ancient Sonoran Desert people? Archeological evidence suggests they may have descended from an earlier hunting and gathering “Archaic” culture that began in this area around 5,500 B.C.E. Over time, as the area grew hotter and drier, wild plants and animals became less abundant. Domesticated corn from Mesoamerica was introduced and appears to have influenced a gradual transition from hunting and gathering to a more settled farming existence. Adapting to the dry conditions of the desert, these early farmers learned to use water from mountain run-offs and rivers to irrigate their fields. By 300 C.E., these desert dwellers had formed a distinct culture, identified in part by their particular form of pottery called “red-on-buff.”Click here to view more of the intersting information on the The Casa Grande Ruins National Monument.Wednesday we are off again this time to Queen Creek Olive Mill one of the "10 delicious destinations in the Valley of the Sun". The Queen of Olive Oil: Locally grown olives pressed into rich extra virgin olive oil is the beauty behind Queen Creek Olive Mill, a family owned company that brings olive oil from their farm to your table. The olive oil may taste Italian, but this place is western to the core – you can even ride your horse in and park at a brand new hitching post with a watering trough while you tour and shop.Also on our short list is a visit to Cayward Farms where cotton is grown. Need a reservation to get into this place.
More updates coming...
We are finally over the virus (flu) that we picked up in Tucson....what a long drawn out experience. Turns out that this virus is not just in Tucson as there are many here in Casa Grande with the same thing.
Yes....we are back in Casa Grande, actually since Jan. 20th, and will be here until the first week in March. Obviously we like everything Casa Grande RV Resort and the area have to offer. Check out the Amenities offered. The photos on that page are recent and the reason we don't have more of our own. Next Update for sure. .
Betty has been doing dailey water aerobics (and Zumba) and a few other things and I'll be playing cribbage in the card room which they do twicw a week. Other than that just enjoying the warm weather.
Next leg in our journey? First part of May we go to Green Bay to visit family, friends and attend my 50th HS Class reunion. then it's traveling the Midwest...more on this as we go.
Friday Feb. 7th Quick Update; Because we like the area so much we've decided to stay here in Casa Grande until March 20th before heading back to Reno.
Sorry for the delay in updating but after a great stay in Amado (Tubac) area we headed to Tucson to get the pups , and me groomed, resupply and get the slide parts we've been carrying around since we left Reno finally installed. Then the virus bug got us!!!Checked into Camping World in Tucson on Thursday 16th and to our dismay found that half the work force was sick with a flu virus going around so our 1 day stay looked to be turning into a longer one. Sure enough and Friday we were told we would not be finished until Monday. We had stayed overnight on their lot plugged in to electric & water Thursday night but did not want to stay over the entire weekend with no one around so we opted for a hotel/motel that accepted pets. Good choice as I picked up the virus and pretty much stayed in bed all weekend.Monday they had us back on the road around 2pm and we made the 80 mile drive N.on I-10 back to Casa Grande RV Resort where we've decided to stay for a month.This virus is a real kick, Betty contracted a minor version, with slow recovery period. Went to an Urgent Care on Tuesday for some Meds and they are helping but stamina is slow to come back but a little better every day.Weather here is beautiful with temps in the 70's and 50's at night. We'll be soaking up the sun's rays to help with getting better.
Ater getting our new Sleep Number bed, oh and to answer Rob's question in our Guestbook our backs are feeling better after only one night, installed in Tucson Tuesday we made the short 40 mile drive down I-19 to Amado, about half way between Tucson and Nogales, Mexico, arriving at De Anza RV Resort around 6pm.
We were here last year around this time and obviously enjoyed as we are back.Temps are a lot warmer then last year with day time in lower 70's but cool nights in the 30's.
Beautiful country with views of the mountains. Located just south of Tucson and minutes from historic Tubac Village & Madera Canyon where there are hiking trails, ATV riding and world-class Birding.
The resort features a pet friendly environment that includes indoor heated salt-water pool/spa, exercise room, billiards room, TV/library, movies, card room, board games, shuffleboard courts, darts, bocce ball and horseshoe pit.
Betty plans on taking in a couple of Water Aerobics classes again this year which are held every day at the indoor pool.
Will have their fish fry in their on site restaurant Friday, Greyhound Room Restaurant & Patio.
Today, after a stop in Tubac, we drove down to Wisdom's Café in Tumacacori. "In 1944 Howard and Petra (Gomez) Wisdom opened the doors to Wisdom’s Café, alongside the old Nogales Highway, never imagining that their little café was destined to become a dining tradition three generations strong." We both had the Combination Plate with a couple of Margarita's. Just what we were looking for...great authentic Mexican cooking and some of the best Margarita's we've enjoyed on the road.
We were hoping to get the pups groomed here like last year but their first available is not until the 20th. With that we'll go back to Tucson next Wednesday and have an appontment at Pet Smart to get them really cleaned and trimmed. We did take advantage of the dog wash area, one of the many very nice amenities here at the RV Park, so at least their clean.
More updates soon...
Friday made the 3 hour trip from Yuma to Casa Grande, AZ and are now at the Casa Grande RV Resort. One of the nicer places we've stayed at with great ammenties. Weather gorgeous with temps in the 70's.
We leave Tuesday morning for Tucson where we will be getting a new mattress at Camping World...a Sleep Number bed where we will get better support for our backs.
Probably will be overnight at Lazy Days RV Resort with the plan now being to move South to the Amado/Tubac area.
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We had a great, but short, stay in San Diego especially enjoying the warm weather.Last full day was Thursday and we made a point of having lunch at one of our favorite places, The Fish Market next to the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Midway. Pictures added of a couple of favorites...Duckets Bucket and what's left of a plate of oysters on the half shell.Arrived in Yuma last Friday and are settled in for a week over New Years. Temps in the mid to high 70's and 50's at night. Expected more wind but good so far.We leave for Casa Grande, AZ this coming Friday where we will be for 4 nights. Happy New Year everyone.
