So, this is it. The final year of Tucson. Sam and I will be loading up this time next year to head off somewhere (let it be the Northwest!). We had anticipated that we would be leaving this May, but as many of you know, having a baby sometime derails best-laid plans, and new plans are made. I have been struggling with the thought of living here another year, but have decided that I may regret not taking the opportunity to enjoy life in the Southwest while I can. So - I have made a list of all the places and activities that we have not seen or done while here and have them planned out for the next 12 months. I have now realized now how very little time we have to do them all!
Summer - DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun, El Teradito Wishing Shrine, St. Augustine Cathedral, Sanctuary Cove, Garden of Gethsemane...
Fall - Salsa-fest http://www.salsatrail.com/recipes.html , Apple Annie Peach and Apple Harvest, Dia De Los Muertos, Tucson meet yourself Festival!, Patagonia Fall Festival...
Winter - Winterhaven, The White Mountains, another trip to Sedona/the Grand Canyon, Tubac festival of lights, Tucson Gem Show...
Spring - Patagonia Mariachi festival, Chiricahua Mountains, Bisbee (for like the 8,000 time...but we love that place!)...
Along with the many other random events that Tucson has to offer - Fox Theater (we need to see at least 1 show there), La Placita Cinema (they offer movies outdoors...bring your dog, kid and blanket if you want!), International Wildlife Museum (which we'll save for next Spring when Ada's a bit older to appreciate it), and many, many other activities.
We started out today by visiting the 17th Street Market, which is in the industrial district of Tucson (I guess that's what you'd call it). They have an amazing fish market with fish bigger than Ada - and the produce section is awesome (looks better than a Farmer's Market). They are really known for their Asian food, most of which kind of scares me because I don't know what it is. But we went, spent and now have a few interesting things to try. It reminded me a bit of my Eugene days; you know, the piece where you're asked to sign a petition legalizing medical marijuana. The guy who approached us seemed to think we didn't know anything about it...I almost told him we were from Oregon, but decided to let him rattle on. I don't see us shopping there again, but not because of the hippies.
The other thing we want to do is learn how to cook a truly delicious Mexican meal that we can enjoy for years to come...time to look for some cooking classes.
So much to do and share with Ada, and so little time! AND - I've never even made it down to Mexico! There's a bit too much violence going on right now though, so I'll wait to go another day. Besides...Tucson used to be Mexico, so it's all the same to me!
