Chiracahuas - September 2011

We decided to get away from the Tucson heat and visit the southeast corner of Arizona where the Chiricahua mountains reside. This part of Arizona is at a much higher elevation than Tucson and temperatures during the day are about 20 degrees cooler than what you would normally find in Tucson. The original purpose of the trip was to go do a wine tasting at the Lawrence Dunham vineyard but everything was so lush and green that we decided to return the following weekend and stayed at the Sunglow Ranch, a guest ranch and mountain retreat. The ranch and the surrounding countryside was spectacular and we got a lot of hiking done. We came back to Tucson truly refreshed.
Chiracahuas.
Can you see the bee in the flower?
Chiracahuas.
I love taking photos of flowers. I don't know why but I just do.
Chiracahuas.
Texas Canyon.
Chiracahuas.
Texas Canyon. The rock formations all over southeastern Arizona are the result of super heated ash particles melting together when the Turkey Creek Volcano…
Chiracahuas.
Lawrence Dunham vineyard.
Chiracahuas.
Lawrence Dunham vineyard.
Chiracahuas.
See the little red bug on its way into the blue flower.
Chiracahuas.
Lawrence Dunham vineyard. The grapes were very sweet right off the vine.
Chiracahuas.
Lawrence Dunham vineyard.
Chiracahuas.
Nature has an amazing way of producing stunning geometric shapes and colors.
Chiricahuas.
Not sure what kind of flower this is but I love the way it curled under itself and the contrast of the yellow and white against the green leaf.
Chiricahuas.
The flower seems to just float on this photo.
Chiricahuas.
Lawrence Dunham vineyard.
Chiricahuas.
Heading out towards the Sunglow Ranch. As you can see you can probably use a car to get there, but it is so much easier if you use a truck or SUV.
Chiricahuas.
Towards Sunglow Ranch. The cow has one of those "what you looking at?" expressions.
Chiricahuas.
Towards Sunglow Ranch. A couple of bulls. The dark one must be fairly aggressive to have had his horns removed. It makes him look funny.
Chiricahuas.
I just love flowers and this pot got my attention as we walked into the ranch.
Chiricahuas.
Towards Sunglow Ranch.
Chiricahuas.
Towards Sunglow Ranch.
Chiricahuas.
The Acorn Room. Named for the mural and the huge oak tree outside the room.