Hacienda Del Sol, part 5

This courtyard is also part of the historic core of the "guest ranch". Around it were the dorm rooms and offices from when it was a boarding school. Walls between the tiny dorm rooms were knocked down to create what are today "historic rooms" that people can stay in.

Hacienda Del Sol, part 4

This beautiful library with hand-carved beams contains many of the books that were used when the property was a boarding school. Other shelves have more contemporary but equally interesting titles. The palpable sense of history and culture, along with the exquisite light, make this room for me the spiritual heart of Hacienda Del Sol.

Hacienda Del Sol, part 3

Two of the most inviting spaces at the resort were the lobby and the library. The lobby was a cozy place to get a morning coffee and sit by the fire, read a real newspaper or maybe have a rousing game of checkers.

Hacienda Del Sol, part 2

As the sun was setting we took a history tour of the property which was completely worthwhile. It was originally built as a girls boarding school in 1929, which lasted until 1942. Then it became a guest ranch used by Hollywood people such as Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy when they were working in the area. It was later remodeled into a world class resort with three swimming pools, two restaurants and a spa. Needless to say, given the time of year, there were Christmas lights all over.

Hacienda Del Sol

Our destination - the lovely and historic Hacienda Del Sol in the Catalina Foothills of Tucson, AZ. Our first impression was a good one - not grandiose, but charming and well integrated into the natural surroundings.

east of Yuma

Above, a very pointy mountain somewhere east of Yuma, seen from a rest area. Below, a somewhat pointy mountain. Not visible in the pictures: the horrible and lingering smell of a feedlot. Anyone who drives from Yuma to Tucson must smell it.

Cafecito, part 2

While much of the country freezes, Yuma, AZ basks in the sun. I had always heard that it was the sunniest city in the U.S. but now they are saying it's the sunniest place in the world!

 

Cafecito breakfast

One of the best moves we made was breakfast at Cafecito. This place is a gem whether for coffee, food or just an interesting aesthetic experience. The avo toast and acai bowl were as colorful as the eclectic decor.

abundant bird life

As I was walking along the riverbank I noticed an abundance of bird life. A huge flock of something (not sure what) rose up for its evening migration. Needless to say a riparian area like this is a good habitat for all sorts of life - even in the middle of a city like Yuma.

Ocean-to-Ocean Bridge

I walked along the riverbank, under the Interstate and toward the famous Ocean-to-Ocean Bridge. This historic bridge was built in 1915 and was part of an early coast-to-coast highway. This end of Gateway Park is called Yuma Beach. Just beyond this beach is Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park.

Gateway Park

There is a rich history here as a crossing on the Colorado River. That's California on the opposite bank from Yuma. The evolution of the crossing went from boats to railroad bridges and eventually the modern Interstate. The first railroad bridge was built in 1877 by Southern Pacific. Now in the 21st century the city is embracing the area's unique history. Unfortunately the homeless have been embracing it for much longer.

Hilton Garden Inn Pivot Point

This hotel is perched above Gateway Park on the Colorado River in a historically important part of Yuma known as Pivot Point. It's part of the city's larger plan to reclaim its historic core from dereliction, a goal I support wholeheartedly. At another end of the property is the Colorado River State Historic Park, seen below from our window. There's a lot going on in this one area.

downtown Yuma 2025

The plan was to have lunch in Yuma's increasingly revitalized downtown. The health food restaurant we wanted to go - Good Habit - had just closed so we went to the Prison Hill Brewing Co. instead. The food there was okay but neither spectacularly healthy nor delicious.