Blog -

Tombstone Events

August 24th, 2013 by Mike Hug

Tombstone Events In October

The Tombstone stage ride give a historic tour of the town.

October is a good month for Tombstone events that are fun for the whole family. After the summer heat is gone the town comes alive with things to do including the following:

Corvettes & Ghost Riders – Tombstone –3 to 6
Wyatt Earp’s Vendetta Ride – Tombstone – 13 to 18
83rd Annual Helldorado Days – Tombstone – 18 to 20
Cowboy Action Shooting State Championship – Tombstone – 23 to 27

Corvettes & Ghost Riders is a corvette car rally that raises funds for Phoenix Children’s Hospital, The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders and some Tombstone Charities. The rally is a fun for car buffs and the main event on Saturday is a car show. There are other fun things to do during the 3 days of the rally.

Tombstone Event for Vendetta Riders Picture

Smile when you say that!

Wyatt Earp’s Vendetta Ride is a 6 day event that is for the hardy horseman. This ride starts early in the morning and goes most of the day. We had a couple of wranglers from Texas that stayed with us and wanted to do this event for a long time. They finally did and told us that it was a rugged ride in the back areas of Cochise County. This ride follows the trail of Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday as they hunted the cowboys that they believed were responsible for killing Morgan and wounding Virgil Earp.

Helldorado Days has been held since 1929 and is the main signature event in Tombstone. It is held on the weekend closest to the date of the anniversary of the towns founding. It also happens to be close to the date of the Shooting at the OK Corral. There is family fun for everyone and the streets are full of people dressed in the period clothing. Not all of them are the actors who do the street skits. Many are people who dress up and just like to become part of the Old West.

Cowboy Action Shooting State Championships are an SASS sponsored Tombstone event. This event is a timed event sponsored by the Single Action Shooting Society and has been going since 1999. The event draws up to 300 participants and currently all the slots for the event have been filled. It only took 8 days to fill the sign up sheet. This Championship is popular with Old West aficionados. There are different types of events with different types of guns. All the shooters must have aliases from real to fictional characters of the old west or movies and must dress appropriately to reflect the era. It should be a full 5 days of old fashion shooting. I would think that a person would have some great photographic opportunities during this event.

If you go to the Tombstone events then you need to have a place to stay. October tends to be busy in Southeastern Arizona since the birder watchers are here during migration, people attending all the Tombstone events, and with many other events in Bisbee, Benson and the wine country. What could be better than a B and B that is close to Tombstone but is not as rustic. Where you can sleep in king beds instead of full size. Where peace and quiet at night is followed the next morning by a hearty breakfast that will get you through the day. Check us out at Down By The River “The Lodging Hub of Cochise County.” Plan your visit before every lodging place is filled up.

Tags: Tombstone events
Posted in Events and Things To Do | Comments Off on Tombstone Events

Arizona Wine Challenge at Down By The River B & B

August 18th, 2013 by Mike Hug

The Arizona Wine Challenge at The River

Cheers

Announcing the “Arizona Wine Challenge at the River” on November 2, 2013. We have put it up on Facebook for all of our fans for about 3 weeks so that they had the first chance to sign up. Now we are opening the special up for anyone that would like to participate.

What is the Arizona Wine Challenge?

Well let me explain the highlights for you. Angie and I believe that Arizona Wine can stand up to wines that are made anywhere else in the country or in the world for that matter. So we decided to have an Arizona Wine Challenge at Down By The River B and B. Each guest will be able to sample different wines and to rate each. We want to have a fun evening with wine tasting and some finger foods for pairings with the wine. The event should be fun for everyone and you will be able to taste some wines from wineries that you may have seen but never tasted.

We have a pdf with the information that you can download here. But I will give you the simple synopsis right here. The event will start at 6 PM on Saturday, November 2. Each guest will bring a bottle of their favorite NON-ARIZONAN grape wine ie 2 bottles for a couple. Couples should not bring the same wine so that there is a variety, besides you have 2 chances to win then. The bottles will be given to Angie or me upon arrival and preferably in a bag to conceal the type of wine from the other guests. Angie and I will provide two bottles of Arizona Wines.

Prior to the contest, Angie and I will open the bottles to let them breathe and we will number them for the taste test. Rating sheets will be given to each guest. We will begin with the first wine and everyone will taste that wine and rate it. Then we will move on the the next and rate that. This will continue until we are done. After the rating sheets are turned in we will reveal the wines that are in the taste test for everyone to examine. The remaining wine can then be sampled again by everyone. We will then take the rating sheets and determine the winner.

The person that brought the winning non-Arizona wine will be given a bottle of wine from an Arizona Winery.

This will require a 2 night stay for the guests and only guests will be allowed to participate. There are special rules that you will find on the pdf that you can download. Reservations for this event can only be made by phone but you can email us your phone number and tell us that you want to attend and we will call you back. We will not be allowing any online reservations for this event. Oh and one last thing – You have to be at least 21 to attend and we will be checking IDs.

Posted in Events and Things To Do, Specials & Packages | Comments Off on Arizona Wine Challenge at Down By The River B & B

Southeastern Arizona Sunsets

August 13th, 2013 by Mike Hug

Southeastern Arizona sunsets viewed at Down By The River B and B

2005 Southeastern Arizona Sunset

Desert sunsets are fantastic and Southeastern Arizona sunsets are spectacular. Located in St. David, Down By The River B and B started operations in 2005. During our tenure here, we have taken pictures of many spectacular Southeastern Arizona sunsets. When I was growing up, my parents had received issues of Arizona Highways Magazine from my great aunt. She moved to Arizona while it was still a territory. We would look at the pictures of Southeastern Arizona sunsets and think that these colors could not be real. When I moved to Phoenix, I observed some great sunsets. However, with all the buildings obstructing the view, you could not capture the picture.

After we built Down By The River, we had the wide open spaces to view sunrises and sunsets unimpeded by structures. Down By The River sits on 15 acres of land with little to obstruct the view. We have views of the mountain ranges that surround the Benson / Saint David area.

2006 Southeastern Arizona Sunset

The monsoon season is the best time to experience the spectacular colors of the Southeastern Arizona sunsets. Our San Pedro River B and B is perfectly situated for this type of photography. We have photographed hundreds of sunrises and sunsets during that time and no two are the same. There are many locations nearby that offer great opportunities to enhance the sunset.

With such a wide field of view, it is impossible to take a single picture of the entire sunset. The wide open spaces allow for the Southeastern Arizona sunset to fill the entire sky. I found that my camera can’t take one picture and capture all that there is to see. I have experimented with photographing a panorama of the sunsets. I have snapped multiple pictures and while moving the camera after each shot. I assumed that taking multiple pictures would allow for me to capture the entire sunset. Afterwards, I would take all the pictures and stitch them together. I found that the brightness changed from second to second and there was no continuity with the picture. The picture ends up with the demarcation lines that reflected the joint between frames. Maybe with special software you might be able to do this type of photography but unfortunately I don’t possess it.

2007 Southeastern Arizona Sunset picture

2007 Southeastern Arizona Sunset with moonrise

This 2013 monsoon season has been fantastic with the variety of colors in the sunsets. I put some on our Facebook page and you can click here to see what they were like. The series of pictures ranged from yellow to purple. The colors were particularly vivid and it took a few minutes for the colors to change from yellow to purple.

If you wish to see spectacular Southeastern Arizona sunsets and sunrises during the monsoon season, look at setting time aside to visit us at Down By The River, our San Pedro River b and b. During the day you can visit many of the area attractions and possibly get a great photo on your way home. We are called the “Lodging Hub of Cochise County” because our guests can make short day trips to the numerous sites located in Cochise and Santa Cruz Counties. After your day is done, make it back to the b and b in time to enjoy sitting on the patio and watch the sunset. Life can’t get much better than this. Come find out for yourself.

2011 Southeastern Arizona Sunset

2012 Southeastern Arizona Sunset

2013 Southeastern Arizona Sunset

Posted in Nature | Comments Off on Southeastern Arizona Sunsets

Building a B and B known as Down By The River

August 6th, 2013 by Mike Hug

Building a B and B called Down By The River has many interesting stories.

When we saw the property there was nothing here except for the natural vegetation.

Before we built our San Pedro River B and B, we wanted Down By The River to have a design that was a unique and would make people go wow. Building a B and B from scratch is quite an undertaking. We did a lot of research on what we liked and what we didn’t like about other b and bs. We made a plan to get all the things to work right. The details need to be put together so that you have a path to reach your goal. Barb and I began 2 years of research determine we wanted to do, what the market was and how to make the pieces fit together. There are many things to consider prior to building a b and b including setting up systems for financial and legal requirement, website design, marketing and determining location, menus, themes and clientele. Buying something that is established is always easier.

Barb and I broke ground during the the winter of 2003 -2004.

Setting all other items aside, the construction aspects of building a b and b from scratch can lead to some interesting challenges. We decided a conventional building with a gable roof didn’t provide the wow factor Barb wanted. After much review, we settled on a Spanish Territorial or as it more commonly called a Santa Fe style. We wanted to have a building that was more in line with the buildings that would have been built by the pioneers that came into the territory. We decided that this style of building would be incomplete if there was no bell tower installed.

Many guests have ask us who the architect was that designed the building. We tell them that Mike did. Then they ask how did I know what to do and where did I come up with the plan? I tell them that I was in the construction business for 38 years. Further I explain that the plan originated almost 50 years ago. An assignment in a high school architectural drawing class was the origin of the plan when I started building a b and b. Our last project was to draw a house we would like to build one day. Little did I know that one day I would take that old plan and modify it to fulfill the dream we envisioned in our San Pedro River b and b.

Down By The River under Construction with the bell tower framed in.

In the design for Down By The River, I placed a bell tower above the main entry. All I needed was a bell to position in the tower. It could be large, small, real, metal or plastic; it should be easy to find one right? Barb in all her wandering of antique stores, junk shops, yard sales and fairs never saw a bell. We started to think that we wouldn’t ever find one and there would be an empty hole where the bell should have been. But fate had other plans for us – My Dad!

Except for his service in the Navy in WWII, my dad worked all his life for a cement plant in California. During his tenure, my brother and I were given the chance of a lifetime. My dad was good friends with the engineer that ran the train for the plant. My dad was able to have us ride an old steam locomotive that brought the limestone from a quarry down to the main plant to be processed into cement. We were able to stand in the cab next to the engineer and each of us rang the brass bell on the engine. When the engineer retired, one of his retirement gifts was the bell off the old locomotive. The cement company retired the locomotive to a train museum in Southern California. Click here and you can see the old train and a little of the history about it.

The bell tower was finished it just needed the bell installed.

The engineer moved to Oregon and took the bell with him. My parents retired and used to go up to Oregon to go salmon fishing and have a visit with my dad’s old friend. During one of the visits the engineer told my dad that he was dying of cancer and that he wanted to give him the bell from the locomotive. No one wanted it and he had no one to give it to except my dad. So the bell ended up in California again.

Barb and I were visiting California and during the visit, we explained to my parents about the frustrating time we were having trying to find a bell. The process of building a b and b had started and were having no luck with our search. My dad smiled and said he had just the thing for us. He took us out to the garage and pulled a blanket off of the bell. Then he asked us if that would work. He then explained how he had gotten the bell and that it was the one we rang when we were riding in the locomotive. It certainly took a long time to come full circle but the bell and building a b and b all started about 50 years ago.

The bell is in the bell tower and when I am on the roof, I take the time to ring it at least once.

So if you decide to come to Southeastern Arizona you need to stay at Down By The River and hear the other stories we have about building a b and b. There are many other stories to be told. You can even see the bell in the tower but unless you are on the roof you won’t be able to ring it. I still haven’t figured an easy way to set the bell rope up so that we can ring the bell. But when I am on the roof, I do ring it a few times just to hear that wonderful sound. So as Paul Harvey would say “Now you know the rest of the story.”

Posted in Down By The River FAQ | Comments Off on Building a B and B known as Down By The River

Pictures of Desert Flowers At Down By The River B and B

July 31st, 2013 by Mike Hug

Pictures of Desert Flowers At Down By The River B and B

Cane Cholla flowers in April and May after the last frost.

We have taken pictures of desert flowers that grow on or near the property at Down By The River B and B. The flowers start to grow in late March after the last freeze and cactus start to bloom after it starts warming up in April. Some flowers pop up and just use the moisture that is in the ground from the winter rains and snow. The cactus blossom after the weather is warmer in April and May and a couple that we have don’t blossom until after the monsoon rains hit in July.

Some pictures of desert flowers have to be taken the day that they blossom. Cactus in some cases blossom in the morning and fold up and wither away by the afternoon. One cactus that we have is not native to Arizona. Barb was a cactus lover and found an Argentine Giant Cactus in the Phoenix area when we lived there. This cactus flower blooms in June for about 6 hours then withers away. There is a large reddish pod that comes out the side of the cactus and this pod opens up when the flower blooms. The flower is about 5 or 6 inches in diameter and is pure white with a yellow and green center.

Argentine Giant Cactus flowers are about 6 inches in diameter and only last from morning to afternoon.

Most cacti will bloom only for a short period of time even if you water them to try to keep blossoms alive. The barrel cactus that was on the property will bloom later in the summer after the monsoon rains have started. Cane cholla and walking stick cholla bloom in May. We also have some pencil cholla that will be blossoming in July. Prickly pear cacti usually bloom in April and May. Prickly pear can have different flower colors ranging from yellow to orange and reds. It depends upon the species of cacti as to what color the flower will be.

There are many smaller flowers that are less than 1 inch in diameter that blossom in spring. They last through the heat of June and then when the summer rains begin they really start to grow. There are many types of morning glories that are around the house. Red, blue and purple colors decorate the yard especially under the trees where the water runoff pools. The other colors of white and yellow blossoms abound in different areas of the yard also. We especially like the flora that delight your eyes with the brilliant display of vibrant colors. These flowers attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds during the day. Throughout Cochise County there are many other flowers to see. There will be some more that we have blossom later in the year and we will be adding this to the photo albums.

This group of flowers grows every year under the mesquite tree at the front of the building. The red flowers are Tran Pecos Morning Glories, the purple flowers are Ivy Leaf Morning Glories and the yellow flower is the Golden Crown Beard

The desert is not a dreary bleak area and you will realize that as you go through the pictures of desert flowers that we have shown on the Pinterest page or our Facebook page. Clicking on the picture will bring that flower up and give you the name of the flower. Our Facebook page has over 25 different varieties of flowers that are found right around the b and b. Take a look at the pictures and enjoy the colors and the wonderful designs of the various flowers that are here in Cochise County. Also if you are at our Facebook page give us a like. We would appreciate it. If you are a flower lover, be a guest at Down By The River as your Lodging Hub of Cochise County and enjoy all that this area has to offer.

Posted in Nature | Comments Off on Pictures of Desert Flowers At Down By The River B and B

Kartchner Caverns B and B has The Caverns News

July 24th, 2013 by Mike Hug

Kartchner Caverns B and B – Photograph the Caverns?

Kartchner Caverns State Park is the most pristine live cave in the United States.

Would you like to take photographs at Kartchner Caverns while staying at Down By The River, the closest Kartchner Caverns B and B? Maybe you would enjoy the view out the west windows of our Kartchner Caverns B and B. The view is toward the Whetstone Mountains and you can see the hill where Kartchner Caverns is located from the Prospector Room private patio. I have written about the Caverns before and you can read that blog by clicking here.

Kartchner Caverns has special events over the year beside their tours. They do stargazing at certain times of the year but there is a special one that they haven’t done before, to my knowledge. It is called Bug Night. Bug Night will cost $6.00 for a vehicle to enter the park. The agenda is for the people that come to view the insects that can be found around the grounds of the Park. Entomologists, insect experts, will be there to give information and show the insect world to the participants. The bat population at Kartchner Caverns in Southeast Arizona feasts on the many flying insects that are in the area. This should be an interesting experience for anyone that is a little buggy about insects. Bring a flashlight and water. But that really isn’t the big news.

With Bug Night there is also a limited tour of Kartchner Caverns specifically to allow up to 15 people to photograph the inside of the caverns. This special event may be a once in a life time opportunity for the lucky people that get their ticket. This will be a private tour of the Throne Room. During that tour, photography will be allowed. There are a couple of catches. One is that photographs that are taken must only be for personal use, not for commercial use. Participants must be at least 18 years old. Photographers must be able to carry all their gear and tripods will be allowed. The last item is that this tour will cost $150 per person. The money raised will benefit the programs of the Friends of Kartchner Caverns State Park.

Kartchner Caverns news release stated that Bug Night will be held on Saturday, August 3, 2013 from 6:30 to 9:00 P.M., weather permitting. The photo tour will be held on the same night from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. You must arrive at the Discovery center at the park by 4:30 P.M. to participate in this event.

The contact information for those interested, you can email Gretchen@fkcsp.org or visit the Friends of Kartchner Caverns State Park website at to make a payment. For more information about the photo tour call the Friends of Kartchner Caverns State Park office at (520) 668-7707.

If you wish to do a tour of Kartchner Caverns at a time other than on Bug Night you can make reservation by visiting the website or by calling (520) 586-2283 between 8:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. (Mountain Standard Time) seven days per week. And if you are staying at our Kartchner Caverns B and B, make that reservation after 11 A.M. so that you aren’t rushed at breakfast. The Throne Room tour is open all year but the Big Room tour is only open from October 15 until April 15.

Posted in Events and Things To Do, Specials & Packages | Comments Off on Kartchner Caverns B and B has The Caverns News

Field Trip Attendees Given Warm Welcome by Tucson Audubon B and B Affiliate

July 17th, 2013 by Mike Hug

Tucson Audubon B and B Affiliate Hosts Field Trip Attendees

Black-chin hummingbirds gather at the feeder for nectar.

When we decided to build Down By The River, we wanted to be one of the Tucson Audubon B and B affiliates. We looked in Southeastern Arizona for the location that would allow us to be a Tombstone B & B but also near the San Pedro River for the birding activities. Our desire for the combination of the two things wasn’t feasible, unless we could find a way to reroute the San Pedro River. Oh and there wasn’t even a small glimmer of hope for that, don’t you know! The next plan was to find a location on the San Pedro River for our B and B but near Tombstone. After a long search and with some help, we found the land here in St. David to build our San Pedro River b and b.

After we finished construction, we became a Tucson Audubon b and b affiliate. Our first encounter with the staff at the Tucson Audubon was a great experience and we were introduced to the wonderful staff at the University Street office. We were beginning bird watchers; we didn’t have enough experience to call ourselves birders. We signed up for field trips with guides mainly in St. David and down at the San Pedro House. After a while, we began gaining some knowledge and found the game of identification of the LBJ, little brown jobs, was a challenge that all birding enthusiasts know. Luckily we have a resource as a

The birders tools vary but usually binoculars, camera and book to ID the birds are the main items used.

Tucson Audubon B and B affiliate, and I always thank Jennie who is willing to help me out with some ids when I have sighted something I can’t identify. It usually is a morph of a common bird that I have found and I get an answer relatively quickly. Along with Sibley’s reference, we have found a website that does help out with many identities so I don’t have to bother anyone very much.

We have had many Audubon members come and stay at our Tucson Audubon B and B, some of which have found us through the Tucson Audubon website others by word of mouth. We have a great time with the birders that come and many show us the wonderful photos that they have taken during their visit to the area. Some even give us copies to put up on the website and we do credit them when we post a picture. In February, we had two guests, who were working on their big year. During their stay with us, they were able to add to their list right here from the patio and on the back property toward the river.

Our Tuscon Audubon B and B affiliate hosted a field trip lead by Cliff Cather.

The Tucson Audubon does many field trips down to locations in Cochise County and the San Pedro River specifically. In June, the Audubon had a scheduled field trip to Cochise County with a stop in Willcox and then they were stopping in St. David as they returned to Tucson. We kept in touch with Cliff, who was guiding the tour and he was able to stop here at our Tucson Audubon B and B. When the group arrived, Angie and I introduced ourselves and gave the group a tour of the B and B and the grounds. We also provided them with some light snacks and drinks. We had many compliments about what we have here and many told us that they would like to return to further explore the area and the San Pedro River. They discovered that we are centrally located and why we call ourselves “The Lodging Hub of Cochise County”. The next time you are planning a trip check us out and see for yourselves how great this birding area is.

Cliff Cathers, The tall man in the back, and Audubon field trip group photo taken during their visit.

Posted in Events and Things To Do, Nature | Comments Off on Field Trip Attendees Given Warm Welcome by Tucson Audubon B and B Affiliate

Tombstone Vigilante Days lodging at our B and B nearby Tombstone

July 10th, 2013 by Mike Hug

Our B and B nearby Tombstone is close to all the action

Take a guided tour of Tombstone in a stage coach and learn about the history of the town.

Down By The River B and B nearby Tombstone is the perfect choice for lodging when you attend the 65 th Annual Tombstone Vigilante Days event. The three day event has something for everyone and starts Friday August 9 and runs to Sunday August 11 between 10 AM to 4 PM daily. The Vigilante Days Event includes live entertainment throughout the day such as gun fights, mock hangings, no one is actually hung by accident like the grave stone says in Boot Hill, an1880 fashion show and the pretty saloon girls are wandering around looking for the perfect guy to buy them a drink. There are period children’s games available for activities for the younger set. The Tombstone Vigilantes will raffle off a .45 caliber long colt lever action rifle which is the 27th in a series.

Saturday there is a chili cook-off that starts at 8 AM and the chili can be sampled at 1 PM. The samples are available until the concoctions run out. This will take place on Allen Street in the center of town. Sunday will feature the 27^th Annual 10K race that is mapped out on the website.

The cost of the race is $18 with a shirt and $8 without. There is also a 2 K race that costs $15 with the shirt and $5 without. The race starts at 6:30 AM with registration starting at 5:30 AM or you can preregister if you wish. Visit the Tombstone Vigilantes Website for more information or call 520-457-3291.

There are other lodging choices for a B and B nearby Tombstone, but we feel that our San Pedro River B and B, Down By The River, is actually a better place to stay. Being the Lodging Hub of Cochise County, our B and B nearby Tombstone is a short day trip from many attractions throughout Cochise and Eastern Santa Cruz Counties. After you have had your fun in Tombstone you visit other locations in the area or just sit on the patio and watch the monsoon storms that are should be in the area.

Tags: B and B Tombstone
Posted in Events and Things To Do | Comments Off on Tombstone Vigilante Days lodging at our B and B nearby Tombstone

Lodge at Our B and B near the wineries – Join one of the Wine Clubs

July 4th, 2013 by Mike Hug

Terry and Jacque of Coronado Winery greet all the club members during their visit.

Being a b and b near the wineries in southeastern Arizona has its advantages. Since we are a centrally located Southeastern Arizona B & B, our guest have easy access to both the Sonoita and Willcox wineries while lodging at one location. There have been wineries in Southeastern Arizona have for decades and they provide some excellent wines. These wines are on par with many wines from the larger wine producing areas of the country. With new wineries starting up every year there are many different styles to choose from. Most if not all, the wineries in Arizona have their membership clubs which give their members discounts and allow them special access during private events. This may include a special pairings dinner, possibly a barrel tasting or it may be to let members taste a new release before it is introduced to the public.

A description of the wine is given to let you know what to expect of the sample that you are given to taste.

Club membership privileges varies among the wineries but usually it allows the member free tastings and discounts on wine purchases. Generally the signup is free but there is a requirement that you purchase wine from the winery at designated times during the year. The purchases are generally within a price range and quantity that is agreed upon when you sign up for the club. Shipping can be done from the winery to your home of office or you can pick it up at the winery. This allows you to enjoy the wine and have it shipped to you, without going to the winery.

The new release was set out for all the members to see and look at prior to tasting.

On the 28^th of June, Coronado Winery had a wine release party for all the club members. Angie and I were invited to the event. That night we didn’t have any guests so we decided to attend the evening festivities. When we arrived we were greeted by Jacque Cook, the owner of Coronado Winery. We first met Jacque a week after she had opened Coronado’s tasting room but we hadn’t seen her for a while. It was good to renew old acquaintances again. Behind the scenes Terry, the manager of the tasting room, was in the kitchen making sure all the food was prepared to perfection.

We arrived just as the club event started and took a seat in the dining room on one of the comfortable overstuffed couches. Coronado was featuring 4 new wines which are being released to the public after the 4^th of July. Two wines were whites; one a crisp Chardonnay and the other was a dry Riesling. Both went well with the food pairing of bruschetta topped with a fig jam, brie cheese and a slice of pear.

Bruschetta with fig jam, brie cheese and pear slice is a fantastic combo with the white wine that was served.

Stuffed Date with bacon wrap was paired successfully with the different red wine selections.

The spicy shrimp in the pairning really brought out the flavor of the Two Heads Red wine .

This combination was very tasty and we think that it is something we can offer to our guests when we have our New Years Eve Party this year. The other two wines were Two Heads Red, a blend, and a Sangiovese. Both of these went well with the spicy shrimp and the stuffed dates wrapped in bacon.

When attending one of the club meetings sit back and enjoy the view, the ambiance and the people that you meet.

The best part of a club event is being able to meet other people that enjoy the ambiance, food and wine. We made connections with some people from Safford that we had met at the Grape Stomp last year. We had a good time catching up on things and meeting other people that had decided to come to the club event. We even had time to tell them about Down By The River, our b and b near the wineries. These events are always good for networking and distributing to potential guests our brochures and business cards. We get to talk up our centralized location in Cochise County and even had a few new acquaintances give us “Likes” on our Facebook page. We let them know that we do post offers for special events at our B and B on Facebook.

So when you go wine tasting, take a look at the wineries that you like and evaluate the idea of becoming a club member. There are advantages with membership that the normal wine taster doesn’t have and each winery is different. As for our B and B near the wineries, there are many events which are scheduled in the area besides the winery events. Many of these county events are free to the public and we post them on our website events page – so check that out. We try to keep the events in our general area up to date at least 2 to 3 months in advance. This allows our guests the ability to plan their trips to Cochise County during times that events happen. For those of you that live out of the area and are in need of lodging, consider Down By The River B and B near the wineries. We are “The Lodging Hub of Cochise County”. After you do wine tasting in Southeastern Arizona, it is nice to relax on the patio at our San Pedro River B and B and watch the sunset. You may also use the barbeque as you sample some wine that you purchased at one of the wineries in this part of Southeastern Arizona.

Cheers!

Posted in Events and Things To Do | Comments Off on Lodge at Our B and B near the wineries – Join one of the Wine Clubs

San Pedro River Bird Watching

June 29th, 2013 by Mike Hug

San Pedro River Bird Watching

San Pedro River Birding - BT Sparrow picture

Black-Throated Sparrow will nest in places that make you wonder why they picked that place.

San Pedro River Bird Watching can be frustrating when the elusive birds are hiding in the trees but in other cases it is very easy. The element of luck and preparation is needed to make it easy. Case in point, a Black Throated Sparrow has nested in our breezeway before. I photographed the bird on the nest but didn’t follow up to see what the progression was. She used one of the pieces of wicker furniture we have as her nesting site. Black Throated Sparrows aren’t really scared of us and they will let us walk by without taking off. While watering plants outside, we will find sparrow nests in the lower branches of trees. Why they nest there I haven’t a clue. It is just the right height for a coyote to grab the bird. We did have one instance where we saw and record a sparrow family history.

Four small eggs were found in the Black-Throated Sparrow’s nest

This San Pedro River Bird Watching adventure started on June 9 th while we were watering plants. We have a large pot outside the dining room window that has a Texas Sage planted in it. We really hadn’t been watching for any activity at the sage since all the action that we wanted to see was around the hummingbird feeder. The sage isn’t really thick and a Black Throated Sparrow built a nest in the center of the sage. During the watering of the sage, I spotted the sparrow by accident. She was quiet and didn’t move while I was watering and I really was just interested in finishing up without disturbing the bird as little as I could. We were able to observe the nest from inside the dining area and I decided that I could document what was going on for the next few weeks.

I got my camera and put on my zoom lens so that I could stay back from the nest. I got the picture of the Black Throat on the nest. The next day when I was walking by, I noticed that the sparrow was not in the nest. I had a chance to take a photo of the nest with 4 white eggs. I didn’t want to disturb the bird so I just left as soon as I had my picture. I figured that I would wait and see what happened in

Reflex from rustling the plant set the you to peep for something to eat.

another few days. Checking from the dining room, I would see her on the nest sometimes and gone at other times. On the morning of June 13, after I had come over to the guest side, I was opening up the windows to let in the cool 64 degree air. Yes in Arizona, San Pedro River Bird Watching can be done in the cooler temperatures of our mornings. South of Phoenix doesn’t mean hotter than Phoenix. Of course the elevation of our San Pedro River bird watching B and B helps tremendously.

But back to the story. After opening the window at the dining room, I saw the female return to the nest and I heard the peeping of the small young. When she took off to find more food, I grabbed my camera and made my way to the nest. Az I rustled the branches to get a little better picture, all 4 heads popped up with mouths wide open. What a picture I thought and what a busy bird that sparrow would be for a while just to keep these 4 fed. The sparrow was always on the move during the next week.

All four sat quiet in the nest after their eyes were opened and they had their feathers.

I would check out the window intermittently so I would know the female was away from the nest. On June 19, I was able to photograph the young birds all quiet in the nest. They no longer were pink skinned but instead they all had feathers on their bodies. On the 21st I was out working in the yard and saw a small bird out on the patio. You could tell that the bird was young and testing his wings. Mom wasn’t too far away. I hurried back to the house to retrieve my camera again. I was able to get a slightly blurred picture of the mom and the youngster as he chased her wanting to be fed. I was able to get a good picture of the young bird sitting on a planting pot. He watched me but I kept back so that I could see what he would do. I asked myself, what about the other 3? I went back to the nest and two of the 3 birds were still there. I didn’t see the third bird and have no idea of that birds fate. The two in the nest were looking around like they wanted to leave but were a little too scared to take off. I got the picture of the 2 and then left to go inside.

The young bird followed mom all over asking for food.

On the 23rd, I checked the nest out and all the birds were gone. It was interesting to watch the of the Black Throated Sparrow family and the activities. One can only marvel at life when you see a small egg turn into a bird with the special ability to fly. Now with a little luck you might also find something of interest when you are San Pedro River Bird Watching. So when you decide to do some San Pedro River Bird Watching, think about where you will stay and check out Down By The River B and B, the Lodging Hub of Cochise County. We are centrally located to all Cochise County activities and birding areas.

The first Black-Throated young to leave the nest

After about 3 weeks the nest was empty and all the birds were gone.

Posted in Nature | Comments Off on San Pedro River Bird Watching

Tombstone Events

Tombstone Events In October

Arizona Wine Challenge at Down By The River B & B

The Arizona Wine Challenge at The River

Southeastern Arizona Sunsets

Southeastern Arizona sunsets viewed at Down By The River B and B

Building a B and B known as Down By The River

Building a B and B called Down By The River has many interesting stories.

Pictures of Desert Flowers At Down By The River B and B

Pictures of Desert Flowers At Down By The River B and B

Kartchner Caverns B and B has The Caverns News

Kartchner Caverns B and B – Photograph the Caverns?

Field Trip Attendees Given Warm Welcome by Tucson Audubon B and B Affiliate

Tucson Audubon B and B Affiliate Hosts Field Trip Attendees

Tombstone Vigilante Days lodging at our B and B nearby Tombstone

Our B and B nearby Tombstone is close to all the action

Lodge at Our B and B near the wineries – Join one of the Wine Clubs

San Pedro River Bird Watching

San Pedro River Bird Watching

Archives

Categories

Recent Posts