#88 January 2022 – Benson AZ

 

January 2022 – Benson AZ

Moonrise from the casita's back yard 

Pulling into the SKP Saguaro Co-op in Benson for the ninth or tenth time felt like home and I immediately started to relax. We had no sooner pulled into our lot and set up the coach than John Hahn stopped by to say hello, followed by a number of other folks that we have come to know over the years. Due to Covid, though, the atmosphere seemed somewhat subdued. The social calendar wasn’t as bare as it was when we left in April to head east, but it wasn’t back to the Co-op’s usual frenetic pace by any means.

Every evening the quail
come through the yard

Four days after we arrived, I turned out for the landscaping crew and was greeted by many familiar faces. The work wasn’t any easier, but it was good to see the crew and get back into the routine. Tuesday night Bingo restarted the following week after a long, long hiatus, and Kayeanne rejoined that crew, too. There was one show and a couple of dinners during January, but we aren’t yet comfortable with large indoor gatherings, so passed on them. One of the members came out of retirement and organized his signature Friday Fish Fry. The dinner tickets quickly sold out. We got two of the last ones and ordered ours to go, which appeared to be a popular choice.

With frequent trips to Tucson for our annual medical stuff the month flew by. A trip always included sushi for lunch and shopping at Trader Joe’s and Costco, so no complaints. It was really nice to get together again with Lynn, and Jackie and Kaz. We caught up with Ellen and Becky at Bingo, too.

We had such a good time last year wine tasting near Wilcox that we decided to return. We revisited Zarpara Vineyard to see their dog, a really friendly old Lab that is their official greeter. He comes right to the car and says Hi as soon as you open the door. Oh, yes, their wine is good, too. Try Origen, a red blend. Total Wines carries some Zarpara wines. We also went to Bodega Pierce, where the owners knocked themselves out to make us comfortable. I didn't care for their wines, but Kayeanne like one called Emotiva.

Pix by Kayeanne

Liesa was talking to someone in Salt Lake who used to live in Tucson who mentioned the Oasis Parrot Sanctuary in Benson. In all the years we’ve been coming to the Co-op, we have never heard of this place, but it sounded interesting so we made a reservation to visit.

This place has got to be the best kept secret I’ve never heard of. We’ve been coming to Benson since 2015 and no one ever mentioned it. It’s about 20 miles from “downtown” Benson, about 4 miles after the pavement ends on the road to Cascabel. We pulled into the yard and were the only car there. After guessing right about which door in which mobile home was the office, we were warmly greeted by enthusiastic volunteers, one of whom gave us a private, two hour guided tour of the many aviaries where over 850 parrots are living out their lives in comfortable, spacious quarters. 

It turns out that parrots can live more than 70 years, often outliving their owners. Oasis provides a refuge for these birds and many others, including some that are seized at the border from smugglers. By law, these birds can’t be returned to the wild. Others are captured after being set loose by negligent owners. Those poor birds have no idea how to survive in the "wild" of our cities and towns. 

A small staff of dedicated employees and volunteers tend to the daily physical, medical and emotional needs of this diverse, beautiful and very noisy community. The birds are clearly well cared for and most love to see visitors. We had a great time. If you are even passing through Benson, be sure to visit. Reservations are required, so plan ahead. It is way off the beaten path but really worth going. I’ve added more photos below. Donations are gratefully accepted.

Time for an announcement: After eight years on the road, we are going to take a break. Kayeanne has spent hours a day for six months researching areas where we might live and their real estate markets. A few months ago we decided to focus on Las Cruces, New Mexico. It seems to have most of the things we are looking for and is still (just barely) affordable. We pulled out of Benson on the first of February and headed to Las Cruces to see if we could find a house that we can make our home. Our travels will take a break for awhile, but we both hope it won’t be too long before we can get back out on the road part time to see our many, many friends. I’ll keep you posted.

I actually read this month:
I reread Sure Signs by Ted Kooser and enjoyed it even more.
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman. His newest book. I thought it was right up there with A Man Called Ove and My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She’s Sorry.
I couldn’t stay with Where the Deer and the Antelope Play by Nick Offerman. I had the same problem with his earlier book, so no more.

We drank several very good wines this month:
Don Ramon Barrica 2018 - Spain
Kirkland Napa Red Blend - 2019 - CA
Columbia Winery Cab 2018 – Columbia River Valley WA
Scharffenberger Brut Excellence - NV – CA (New Years eve!)
Castoro Syrah – Paso Robles - 2009 – CA (an Xmas present. Thanks, Chris)

More soon,

Bob