Posts Tagged ‘Saguaro National Park’
April 16th, 2013 by Betty Ross
Saguaro National Park
A Celebration of National Park Week and Junior Ranger Day
Ever wonder what magical and mysterious happenings occur in the desert at night? Come explore the park after dark with your family, guided by Park Rangers, and experience the sights, sounds, and smells of the desert night by moonlight.
Starting before sunset, meet at our Education Center in Saguaro National Park’s Tucson Mountain (West) District for a welcome and introduction. Here you’ll learn the fun that lies ahead and how to enjoy the exploration safely. Safety concerns will be addressed, water bottles will be filled, and off you go. The leisurely exploration will cover no more than a mile, round trip, and will be paced for everyone’s comfort. You’ll explore a sandy wash with unique red-rock outcroppings, find a cool place for sunset, listen for the magical call of the Elf owl, and walk in the paw prints of bobcats and coyotes. As darkness falls around you, rangers will share stories about nocturnal park life and answer all those curious questions about the park after dark. Walking back out, we’ll be guided by the light of the waxing half-moon. Headlamps are available for comfort and safety if needed.
·Saturday, April 20th from 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM. Sunset is about 6:56 p.m. and full dark is about 7:45 p.m. There will be an almost ¾ waxing moon high in the sky after dark.
·The program is for families with children who are 7 to 18 years old. The terrain and conditions are not appropriate for younger children.
·The program is free, space is limited, and advanced reservations are required
·For detailed information, questions, or to sign up, please email chip_littlefield@nps.gov or, call at 520.733.5157
Night Walk at Saguaro National Park east
This easy, 2-hour walk provides opportunities for experiencing the desert at night. Dress for the weather, wear comfortable walking shoes and bring water and a flashlight. Space is limited, so call the visitor center at (520) 733-5153 to reserve your spot.
Tags: activites, desertdove, Saguaro National Park, Tucson, wildlife
Posted in Tucson Arizona Attractions, Tucson AZ Area Activites, Tucson Bed and Breakfast | Comments Off
October 24th, 2012 by Betty Ross
Fall is here with cooler temperatures. Come and stay at Desert Dove Bed and Breakfast and enjoy a delightful gourmet breakfast. A few of our favorite dishes served at our Tucson, AZ Inn include Fresh Spinach Egg Nest, Southwest Eggs Fiesta, Baked Blueberry French Toast, Baked Oatmeal, Fresh Baked Scones, Pumpkin Mousse, Yummy Muffins, Waffle Toast, Homemade Salsa, Organic Jams. Fresh Fruit, Fresh Ground Coffee, Tea and Juice. Breakfast is served at 8 o’clock or 8:30. We are flexible to your needs. We can take care of your special dietary needs.
Things to do in the area:
Colossal Cave Mountain Park. They are located a short drive up Old Spanish Trail from Desert Dove Bed and Breakfast.
Halloween Howl ! We are going to have a colossal good time! October 28-30
Halloween Carnival (5:00-9:00 p.m.) jumping castles, thrilling maze, kiddie horse rides, petting zoo, food, fun, & more!
Candlelight Tours of Colossal Cave October 28 – 30 / 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Haunted Hayrides 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. For Reservations Colossal Cave Candlelight Tours call: 520-637-7275
Colossal Cave Mountain Park has Riding Stables. To schedule reservation call: 520-647-3450
Pantano Riding Stables offers: Spooks and Thrills Haunted Hay Rides located on Houghton Road in Tucson, AZ Just a few miles from Desert Dove Bed and Breakfast.
For reservations at Pantano Stables call: 520-298-8980
Join us for a spooky good time!
Tags: activites, Area Guide, Bed and Breakfast, desertdove, Fall season, Saguaro National Park, Tucson
Posted in Tucson AZ Area Activites | Comments Off
April 24th, 2012 by Betty Ross
We had the pleasure of having Bill & Jeannine Becker as guests for a one night stay at our bed & breakfast . As innkeepers, we feel every blessed to have such a wonderful opportunity to meet people from all over the world. It was great talking with them about their weekend adventures. Both Bill & Jeannine love to travel and see the local attractions. Desert Dove, being so close to a National Park, is a big plus for us and our guests. Thanks Bill & Jeannine for choosing to stay at Desert Dove Bed & Breakfast. We hope you can return in the future. Read their full blog on the Senior Citizens Travel Journal
Bill & Jeannine Becker write for the Senior Citizens Travel Journal
Beckers’ Second and Third Days in So. Arizona
We left Kartchner Caverns and continued driving south to Tubac having heard from senior friends that it was an artist’s colony and worth a visit. We discovered that Tubac was established in 1752 as a Spanish Presidio…that’s a really fancy word for fort, which I didn’t know. The village remembers this colorful history at the Tubac Presidio State Historic Park with a museum that brings to life days of long ago. Here senior visitors could easily spend a day wandering amongst the wealth of paintings, sculpture, ceramics, photography, leather, crafts, antiques and jewelry shops…all hosted by the working artists whose studios fill the village. jeb found a cigar and I a bar of soap for my sister. We’re big shoppers as you can see.
Leaving Tubac, we returned to the southwest side of Tucson, to the area bordering the Saguaro National Park where our room at the Desert Dove Bed and Breakfast was waiting for us. What a wonderful choice my husband made with this B&B! Harvey and Betty were ready for our arrival. They showed us to our room, invited us to enjoy their outdoor garden, gave us a map of the park and told us how to get to our restaurant for dinner. I was already looking forward to coffee in the morning and some time in the garden before breakfast.
We drove a couple of miles and found ourselves in the Saguaro National Park, surrounded by a lush, green desert…that sounds rather oxymoranish to me…however lush green desert is exactly what it was. Although I doubt it stays this green or lush very long. Several of the cacti were flowering and there were trees and more green than brown color in the desert. Of course, lots of saguaro cactus, but we learned not nearly the number there were years ago. It’s a lovely drive through the park.
Tags: activites, Area Guide, Birding, desertdove, Saguaro National Park, Tucson
Posted in Tucson Bed and Breakfast | Comments Off
April 6th, 2012 by Betty Ross
Happy Easter everyone. Wishing you a great day. Whether you attend a early sunrise service and go on a Easter egg hunt, wear your new Easter bonnet and enjoy this wonderful holiday!
Judy Garland – Easter Bonnet Song – 1940. In your Easter bonnet with all the frills upon it, you’ll be the grandest lady in the Easter Parade. I’ll be all in clover, and when they look you over. I’ll be the proudest fellow in the Easter Parade!
The guests at Desert Dove Bed & Breakfast will be enjoying a Easter breakfast of baked eggs in bread rolls. Fresh fruit and scones with jam and clotted cream. Yummy!
Our guests are enjoying a early morning walk in the Saguaro National Park only a short distance from Desert Dove. There still are a few wild flowers along the way and lots of yellow Brittle Bush.
Tags: activites, desertdove, Easter, Saguaro National Park, spring, Tucson
Posted in Tucson Bed and Breakfast | Comments Off
March 21st, 2012 by Betty Ross
After a few days of cooler weather, we can now say it feels like spring. Spring has officially begun and the weather is beautiful! Stretch your legs with a walk through the gardens at Tohono Chul Park and Tucson Botanical Gardens
Our guests at Desert Dove get to enjoy both of these wonderful parks, along with the desert garden right here! Butterflies, hummingbirds, wildflowers. Such a relaxing and fun visit for our Tucson guests.
Cactus Heaven
Tucson Botanical Gardens and enjoy the colorful blooms. All of the butterflies in the Gardens’ exhibit are hatched from eggs and live as caterpillars in butterfly farms in tropical parts of the world. When the caterpillars change into the pupae or resting stage, they are carefully counted, labeled and packed. In the pupae stage of the butterfly life cycle, no food is required so they can survive the two or three day trip to Tucson. Once they arrive at the Gardens they are housed in a climate controlled environment which allows them to emerge naturally from their pupae. They are then transferred to the Greenhouse where they are released to fly free in a beautiful tropical environment.
Tags: Area Guide, Arizona, chul, desertdove, flowers, Saguaro National Park, spring, tohono
Posted in Spring time in Tucson Arizona | Comments Off
February 27th, 2012 by Betty Ross
TUCSON – The sixth annual Fiesta de Saguaro is set for Saturday, March 3, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The event will be held at the park’s Rincon Mountain Visitor Center, located at 3693 South Old Spanish Trail. The Fiesta celebrates the rich Hispanic history and culture of the park and local area, with a variety of activities, lectures, demonstrations and performances.
This family-oriented event is free to the public, and includes free entrance to Saguaro National Park’s Rincon Mountain District (Saguaro East).
Throughout the day there will be ongoing activities, including children’s arts and crafts, special videos and craft demonstrators. Taquería Pico de Gallo and Los Eloteros will be on site offering traditional Mexican food for purchase.
Due to limited parking at the Rincon Mountain Visitor Center, the park will operate a free, continuous shuttle service from Sahuaro Baptist Church, located at 10361 East Old Spanish Trail (at Houghton Road). The shuttle service will run from 9:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
The guests at Desert Dove are enjoying the activities the park has to offer.
Tags: activites, Coronado National Forest, desertdove, Saguaro National Park, tucson az bed and breakfast, winter getway
Posted in Tucson AZ Area Activites | Comments Off
December 15th, 2011 by Betty Ross
Christmas at Desert Dove an Inn-spiration
An Old Fashioned Christmas
Father Time greets you as you enter the Inn. Betty’s creation, hand made from old quilt pieces.
In the great room stands a 10 ft. Christmas tree adorned with more than 2000 lights decorated with red beaded apples, white poinsettias, white pearl grape clusters, white doves, red cardinals and silver balls of garland. It’s not hard to like Christmas trees. They’re pretty. They sparkle.
In the guest entry hall a Western Cowboy Santa along with his helpful Elves greets guests coming and going!
At our Desert Dove Bed and Breakfast, we like to use our collectibles along with Christmas decorations, giving the Inn a very homespun feel. The antique toys and dolls we have in our collection add to the magic and fun of the season.
The antique sideboard, a treasure from Betty’s grandmother, has seen many a Christmas.
The parlor has a circa 1910 upright piano for those who wish to play some Christmas music. “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas with every Christmas card I write ……..”
Although Tucson traditionally would not have a white Christmas, it has even snowed on a few. If you wish for some snow you only have to drive 45 minutes to Mt. Lemmon. The Catalina Mountains tops are white with snow.
On the antique cookstove simmers the teapot ready for hot chocolate or spice tea. Home made treats are always available. Plan a romantic getaway this Holiday Season with a stay at Desert Dove Bed & Breakfast.
Come fly away! Enjoy! Relax! and Reminisce!
Tags: activites, az, bed, Breakfast, christmas, desertdove, Saguaro National Park, tucson az bed and breakfast, winter getway
Posted in Tucson Bed and Breakfast | Comments Off
November 22nd, 2011 by Betty Ross
Visiting Saguaro National Park
We are within walking distance of Saguaro National Park East! A walking path from Desert Dove Bed & Breakfast will take you directly to the Park. You may wish an early morning walk to the park before you enjoy a scrumptious homemade breakfast.
There is a 1/4-mile paved Desert Ecology Trail, located along Cactus Forest Drive. Short hikes will introduce you to the plant and animal life of the Sonoran Desert.
Many other trails along the scenic 8 mile drive are suitable for short hikes into the pristine desert environment. There are some 128 miles of trails wind through the desert and mountain country of Saguaro East. Saguaro East, also called Rincon Mountain District, encompasses an aging saguaro forest at the foot of the majestic Rincon Mountains, as well as an exceptional variety of other desert plants. The Park has a picnic area for your usage. We have trail maps available and you may, also, stop by the visitor center for all the information about the Park. The park is open daily.
Daily Programs
A Home in the Desert – 15-minute orientation program shown daily on the hour and half-hour in the auditorium. Learn about the resources that Saguaro National Park protects.
Sentinel of the Desert – a 53 minute video shown daily at 1:00 p.m. in the auditorium.
Saguaro East Programs – Rincon Mountain District Visitor Center (Saguaro East). Schedules are subject to change. Check at the Visitor’s Center for current schedules, or call (520) 733-5153. 3693 South Old Spanish Trail, Tucson.
Tags: Arizona State Park, bed, Breakfast, desertdove, Saguaro National Park, Tucson, tucson az bed and breakfast
Posted in Tucson Arizona Attractions | Comments Off
November 21st, 2011 by Betty Ross
The Inns & Outs of Collecting
How Bed & Breakfast Owners Use Collections to Decorate
by Sherry White
Located in Tucson, Arizona on four acres, the Desert Dove is nestled in the foothills of the Rincon Mountains near Saguaro National Park East. You will feel right at home in this natural sun-baked adobe bed and breakfast. Its great porches, polished colored concrete floors and open trusses in the great room along with the antiques and collectibles, gives this bed and breakfast its unique ambiance. A wood-burning antique cookstove in the delightful country kitchen invites guests to a scrumptious homemade breakfast. Awake to the sounds of the desert birds and wildlife. The Desert Dove offers beautiful scenic mountain views, hiking, biking trails, horseback riding and bird watching all nearby.
Desert Dove has two spacious guest-rooms with a private entrance and private bathrooms. Both rooms are beautifully decorated with antiques and collectibles. The Ross’s have been collecting for thirty plus years. Their collection consists of antique toys, doll, hats, quilts, granite ware, and pottery. They love their collections and wanted to share them with others. It has been a dream of Harvey and Betty to open a bed and breakfast. When they found acreage near the Saguaro National Park East, they decided it was the place to build. Their son is an architect and designed the bed and breakfast for the couple, and they did the general contracting themselves. It was quite a learning experience for the Ross’s, but their dream has come true.
The Watt Pottery they use in the decorating was owned and operated by the Watt family. In July 1922, the Watt Pottery was incorporated in Crooksville, Ohio. Through the 1902′s and early 1930′a the Watt Pottery manufactured stoneware crocks, butter churns, preserve jars and jugs. The Watt Pottery dropped its stoneware line in 1935. They chose instead to produce a more modern ovenware made of lightweight clay. This gave the kitchenware the necessary resilience to go from the icebox to the oven. In 1949 the Watt Pottery began hand decorating its wares with simple patterns found in nature using as few brush strokes as possible to allow low production costs. The hand-decorated patterns most sought after by today’s collectors are Starflower, Apple, Cherry, Silhouette ,Rooster, Dutch Tulip, American Red Bud, (Tear Drop),
Morning Glory, Autumn Foliage, Double Apple and Tulip. The company remained in business until a fire halted production in 1965.
Photo’s of just a few examples of displaying their Wall Pottery
Tags: activites, collecting, desertdove, Media, Saguaro National Park, tucson az bed and breakfast, winter getway
Posted in Media Stories | Comments Off
October 4th, 2011 by Betty Ross
Although Tucson is bordered by outstanding natural areas such as Saguaro National Park and the Coronado National Forest, you need not leave the city to see a variety of typical desert birds. Here at Desert Dove Bed and Breakfast you will see these beautiful cardinals. They are at the feeder every morning and throughout the day. The blaze of red color is a wonderful contrast to the sage green of the desert. Check out our birds photo gallery page to see many more desert bird. The photos were taken by John & Maggie Turner while staying at Desert Dove Bed & Breakfast.
Below is a list of birds seen by our guests while at Desert Dove Bed & Breakfast:
Gambel Quail, White-winged Dove, Morning Dove, Inca Dove, Roadrunner, Say’s Phoebe, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna’s Hummingbird, Flicker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Gila Woodpecker, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Western Kingbird, Cactus Wren, Curved Bill Thrasher, Northern Mockingbird, Phainopepla , Lucy’s Warbler, Black-headed Grosbeak, Pyrrhuloxia, Northern Cardinal, Chipping Sparrow, White Crowned Sparrow, House Sparrow, Black-throated Sparrow, Hooded Oriole, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Goldfinch, House Finch, Cooper’s Hawk, Elf Owl, Great Horned Owl and the Brown Bat, to name a few.
We have 4 acres to roam about and two garden areas for bird watching. Or you may wish to enjoy your morning coffee under the covered porch close to the hummingbird feeders.
Tags: Bed and Breakfast, Birding, Birds, Desert Dove, Saguaro National Park, Small Gardens Magazine, Tucson
Posted in Tucson Birding | Comments Off
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