We arrived in Tuscon to begin a stay of almost two months. Carrie’s mom and stepfather lived in Tucson for many years and we always enjoyed visiting so we wanted to return for an extended stay. Late spring promised some warm, sunny weather in advance of the desert heat that is common in midsummer.
Our house was located on the northwest edge of the city, far enough away from urban development that it felt like we were out in the desert. Our casita was associated with a main house a short distance away and we shared a pool, which was wonderful on hot days. Our patio and dining room window looked out at palo verde trees, saguaros, mesquite trees, and other desert vegetation. We could see a few other houses in the distance, but otherwise we were secluded.
The house had a bird feeder, hummingbird feeder, and birdbaths in the backyard so there was a constant stream of birds (mostly doves, quail, and hummingbirds) as well as rabbits and lizards. On a few occasions we also saw deer, coyotes, and bobcats. We never saw a rattlesnake in our yard, but Charlie saw one along the road about a mile from our house when he was out on a walk. It was always necessary to watch your step carefully because rattlesnakes can be hiding near rocks and plants. Our next door neighbor was bitten by a rattlesnake last year while clearing some brush in his yard.
We both like to walk and there were good desert walks around our neighborhood. The weather was getting warm so we would typically walk in the early morning. When the weather started getting warmer Carrie often chose to walk in the Tucson Mall, which is quite large. Apparently lots of people in Tucson like to do that.
Most of our rentals have been managed by a property manager who we never saw. In this case, however, the owner, Carella, lived right next door in the main house, along with her little dog, Maisie. It was a pleasure to get to know Carella; we soon felt like we were neighbors.
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