A trip South: Patagonia and Sonoita

Not wanting to fall into a rut of the same places and faces, we decided on a whim to head down south to see a part of the great state of AZ that we have not yet put our stamp on.  The trip, like all new ventures we undertake, did not disappoint.  Not necessarily because it delivered on all of its promises, but because it was new and different and surprising. 

The sky was vast, blue and moody and the hillsides grassy and creosote-spotted - what more could you ask for on a late September desert day.  There was an occasional breeze, a melon sunset and unexpected rain at 3 in the morning.  Cool.

While the highlight of the trip was the wine tasting we did in Sonoita, don't ask for any pictures since my camera died after only one day.  What a bust. 



Not before I caught this duck floating around near camp - one of the less exotic species of bird we spotted on our three day trip. 

Although Patagonia is known for its spectacular birding, (we saw egrits, herons, cardinals, hawks and orioles just to begin!) I would not recommend going on the weekend as mostly you will find humans in large groups, of the loud and sloppy variety - not your typical wilderness-loving eco-friendly outdoors-y REI types like we are used to blending with.  To each his own, I suppose.

In the words of my grandma, "It feels good to get away, but it's always good to come home!"  Home we are.