Tuesday, December 5, 2017

History(And Birds)

Mexican culture is alive at the La Fiesta de Tumacácori

Years ago I moved to Arizona.  Then I traveled the world just to confirm how cool Tucson really was. Maybe there was some place even more amazing?  But after all my adventures, it was Tucson that I would, without a doubt, call home. As I have invested myself into the community over the years, I have become part of the Tucson fabric.



My first true passion, before birds, was the Hispanic culture, specifically the Mexican one. 


The closest I could get to Mexico (and still be in the US) was Arizona.  I didn't want Texas, New Mexico or California.  I wanted Arizona.  My 8th grade trip to Flagstaff forever changed my life.  When I went back to Wisconsin after that magical summer in the canyons and mountains, I knew that one day I would leave my hometown for good.  Then during another magical trip to Mexico City my Senior year of high school, I altered my course once again.  Spanish. As I did my research, I discovered a little city(at the time) known as Tucson. This city had the best of both worlds.

Cactus Wren
This weekend, we took the history club around Southern Arizona to visit all of our amazing landmarks. It was such a fun time.  Not only did we combine the old missions and the mining towns of Tombstone and Bisbee, we were also able to watch live performances of traditional Mexican dance.  (And on the side), I had the students point out the birds that they were observing. It was the ultimate wildlife, historical and Mexican heritage tour ever.  Seeing Southern Arizona through their eyes reminded me of my love for this state. 

The Earps meet in Tombstone at the OK Corral
The trip was organized by my friends Lori and April who then invited me along for the fun. They hadn't been to many of these places before and I had mentioned that I often go to bird around these historical sites.  Once we packed the students up in the vans, our adventures began!

Common Raven
How often do I pass these places and not really look at the majestic churches or old towns?  Well in my defense, I'm forever looking for or at birds:)


the mission of San Xavier Del Bac
During our trip, I ran into a former student who graduated with a Natural Resource and Spanish degree (and was working at Saguaro National Park!)  My dream job!  She was at a booth in the festival promoting National Parks. I was so proud.  She told me she earned her Spanish degree because of my class. And that's always good to hear. Better than a paycheck. Then a current student met with my now much older former student and it was so strange! I saw the beginning of the end.  The teacher becomes the student again. And his former student becomes a mentor with wonderful advice about getting into the national parks system. 

Lark Sparrow at the Tubac Presidio Museum
 The current students had fun role playing at the Tubac Presidio.  Imagine being in this old classroom.  It has style!  I'd love to have a classroom like this!



I introduced the students to Mexican Jays. Or was it the other way around?:) Jays are always cooperative birds....with a little food.  Again, a student brought Ritz crackers and was munching on them when the jays heard the crinkle of the package and then........we had pretty blue jays all around us.  

Mexican Jay
We strolled along the roads of Bisbee doing a little holiday shopping in the wonderful fall like temps. 

the old mining town of Bisbee
Wherever we had wildlife, we stopped to look at it just like we would if we were on a tour in a mine or museum. 

White-tailed Deer at the Chiricahua National Monument
It was a beautiful weekend out. 

Lori and April at Tombstone
On a side note, if these posts feel like they are up and down emotionally, they are.  During this trip, my Grandma's husband finally passed away. Life doesn't care.  It forces me to keep going but it's amazing how I can go from laughter to tears each day. Between my Grandma, her husband Bob, my cat, the political scene here, conservation attacks, tours, it's amazing I haven't gone bonkers.  But writing has helped me process all of these emotions. This past weekend I took a bad spill on a road while hiking.  I was telling a student to be careful and as I said it, I tripped and did an acrobatic feat that I didn't even know I could do.  My training has taught me to roll.  So instead of breaking a bone, I have some nice scrapes and bruises on the left side of my body. I always wondered how people fell.  Now I know. It sucks.



I am reminded that life is full of surprises and I have to roll with the punches(and scars:). I do know that we had an amazing experience this weekend and I'm grateful for those moments. There is yet so much more work to be done and by educating our youth about these historical and wild spaces, we are helping the young understand the importance of these much needed landmarks. They are, after all, why I moved to Arizona in the first place. Until next time.....

16 comments:

  1. Ya entiendo porque te gusta el español.. :-)))

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    1. Pues, por muchas razones Ana! Me encantan todos estos paises latinos. Estoy super feliz que aquí en Los EEUU tenemos algunas ciudades donde celebramos y vivimos la cultura mexicana cada día:)Tucson es uno de estos pueblos:)

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  2. Hello, what a great post. Sounds like a fun and interesting outing. I enjoyed the photos and the birds. I would like to work for the National Parks. It sounds like a like great. Sorry about your Grandmother's husband passing, prayers for you and your family. Also, sorry you took a fall, I hope you are ok and feeling better. Enjoy the good times.

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    1. Thanks Eileen:) I am feeling better and thankfully I'm ok. Crazy how it all happened so quickly! When our Grandma passed, we knew it was just a matter of time for him to live as well. She had been overworking herself with quite a bit of verbal abuse(because that's what happens when dimensia and old age set in). She had told me what was going on and I asked her to follow the doctor's orders and put him in the hospice care but she was afraid of being alone. So, she knew when we saw her that their time was ticking. I just didn't want to accept her truth. I will be forever grateful that we were able to say good-bye to each other and that we spent the time this past winter together often. I hope you are having a good holiday season with the family and friends.

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  3. OK...you made e a little "homesick!" Tumacacori was one of my favorite spots, as was San Xavier. Tombstone is such fun. Bisbee and Tubac as well. Wonderful photos. I do miss all of that sometimes!

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    1. You can always come back to visit. But I love the world that you live in now. Maybe minus the snow:)

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  4. Great post! I love Tucson too, and all of SE AZ.

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    1. Thanks Ken! For some reason my response went to the general posting. It's a great place to call home. Of course I have fallen in love with many other places but it's Tucson that has my heart:)

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  5. It certainly looks like you had a wonderful trip, Chris, in spite of you being on an emotional rollercoaster at the time. Thinking of you, and hoping life settles down on a higher level for you - - - Richard

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    1. What the expression Richard, if it rains, it pours:) I try to make the best of it all. I will say that this has been a good year for a lot of personal reflection. We take each day at a time and go from there:) Anyhow, I am hoping that within the next couple years to jump over that pond and visit! And if Trump continues as President, I just may stay. But Santa said he'll be impeached soon:) Here's to wishing for a better new year!

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  6. A great post with wonderful photos of your weekend. So sorry to hear about the passing of your grandmother's husband and your bad fall. Take care and look after yourself Chris.

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    1. Thanks for the condolences. It was just a matter of time for him. My grandma really extended his life by many months. The unfortunate part was that she ended up overworking her poor body to keep him alive. The difference between home care and living in a health care facility. They both had good lives. Thankfully my fall wasn't more serious. I fell into oncoming traffic that didn't have oncoming traffic! I don't even want to imagine what would have happened had there been a car. My leg is healing and hopefully I'll be ready for my Audubon Christmas bird count by next week:) That will be a brutal hike:) Hope all is well with you!

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  7. Hello. Beautiful photos, great post.

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  8. Sounds like you love Tuscon and its vibes Chris. I loved my single visit to Mexico, Chichen Itza and all that stuff, not to mention the birds and the food. If ever you're in Lancashire we can fix you up with a spot of banding. We like good guys.

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  9. Great post - I have a few ex-students doing jobs I would love - although I am not sure such jobs existed when I was rather younger than I am today!

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

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