Desert in Bloom – My Favorite Time of Year in Tucson

Justine Arizona

The word “desert” tends to conjure different images for desert dwellers than it does for our friends from moister climes (points for me for using “moister climes” in a sentence!). You moisture lovers often think of the desert as nothing but sand, and refuse to believe there’s anything redeeming about Tucson’s nature. Though some deserts are admittedly nothing but sand, the vast majority aren’t. Tucson is actually pretty green most of the year, including winter. It gets even greener in the spring and during monsoon season (my second-favorite time of year here). On top of the green, we get all …

What’s in that hole? – Episode 15

Justine Arizona, What's in that hole?

Hello everybody and welcome to Episode 15 of What’s in that Hole?, a fun series I’m writing for my blog. In the last episode, we traveled to San Francisco’s Presidio for our holes. This time, we’re on the road again but much closer to home – I found today’s holes on my recent stop at the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, which is between Tucson and Phoenix.

Things to do in Arizona: Casa Grande Ruins National Monument

Justine Arizona

On a recent drive between Phoenix and Tucson, I made a snap decision to visit the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument. The ruins are off the main route between the two cities, but aren’t too far out of the way. Still, in my dozens of trips back and forth between Tucson and Phoenix, this was the first time I took the time to check out the ruins.

What’s in that hole? – Episode 12

Justine What's in that hole?

Hello everybody and welcome to Episode 12 of What’s in that Hole?, a fun series I’m writing for my blog. In the last episode, we found something really exciting: an eel! That episode, as well as the two before it, focused on holes away from home. Today, we return home to Tucson’s Sonoran Desert for our hole.

rooster cogburn ostrich ranch

Things to do in Arizona: Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Ranch

Justine Arizona, Because I'm weird

To the uninitiated, the 100-mile stretch of I-10 between Tucson and Phoenix seems barren. Locals, however, know about the array of attractions to be found along (or close to) this route, including Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, Picacho Peak State Park, and the subject of this post, the Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Ranch.

What’s in that hole? – Episode 3

Justine What's in that hole?

Hello everybody and welcome to Episode 3 of What’s in that Hole?, a new series I’m writing for my blog. In the last episode, we were hoping for a cuddly critter but didn’t find one. We did find lots of babies though! But maybe this is our lucky day and we’ll find a cuddly friend! You’ll only know if you keep reading…