If you've been with me on this blog a long time, you know that since 1999, we have owned a second home in Tucson, Arizona. We have used it less or more depending on the year. To help with its expenses and because sometimes we found it hard to get away, for 5 years or so, we offered it on VRBO as a vacation rental for those with pets. It's never been a good fit for those with allergies as when we are there, we have our cats with us. Snowbirds want it most frequently, which meant if we have gone, it was in the fall or early summers.
We decided in 2017 that we weren't renting it in 2018 because we wanted to do repairs and some remodeling, which required our being there. We kept putting off going until finally it was 2018, and we had to get it together. The farm would be okay without us. We have someone who feeds the cattle and sheep. We arranged to have the wild birds and hummingbirds be fed. We had a house-sitter as well as wonderful neighbors who keep an eye on things (meaning cattle or sheep on the road) when we are not there.
We had to go, wanted to go, but kept putting off leaving for assorted reasons, some personal and some physical problems with the farm-- including water damage from the water heater (it was the original when the home was built in the '50s and needed replacing) and then another leak destroying the utility room floor. Couldn't leave with Thanksgiving or Christmas, could we?
During most of the fall, we had decided firmly we'd not take our vacation trailer or the two formerly feral cats. It being iffy travel in winter, we wanted to take motels and what motel lets you take four cats??? They could be fed at the farm. They'd be fine there as it's been their home.
Looking at their little faces, as they lounged on the sofa, and that idea flew out the window. They were going, which meant the trailer was going. How that would work was uncertain, with one cat hating another and one cat still spraying despite being neutered a year earlier-- and all of us in a small trailer with no real separations other than the bathroom. It didn't matter. The six of us were going.
During December, I kept plugging away at my book as I put off packing for the time I'd be in a different climate-- although with Tucson, you can get a winter-- not a wet and cold one though like our home in Oregon. I have to admit part of me just didn't want to go, even though it was the best choice for us all.
Finally, the year had ended and we were pushed for a firm timetable for leaving. It would involve days on the road, but we had a destination we loved. The cats would like it too since we fenced the yard to keep them safe from the desert predators-- if not from each other.
These photos are all of our home in the desert, the place we call Casa Espiritu, It always feels like home when we get there-- getting there is, however, always the problem. This time, winter was setting in on the mountains, unknown storms lay ahead, and a travel trailer had to be pulled and parked every night.
How the trip went will be broken up, since this one already went long. Tomorrow gets into what it involves taking a travel trailer on a trip. Monday will be the trip and how that went with us and the cats!
7 comments:
I'm looking forward to hearing about your trip. Great photos! I can relate to wanting and not wanting to go, putting it off, having a cat that sprays in spite of being neutered (been there! frustrating!).
Pulling a trailer is always a challenge. I have had friends do that on the way to Florida and even with no mountains to cross, sudden weather issues can be dangerous. Be safe.
We are in Tucson and this is to be now three posts on how we got there. Today was destination. Tomorrow will be the vehicle--trailering. Monday will be the way the trip broke down. It did have its moments but we had one of our smoother trips. One advantage of trailering is being able to lay over when something like the huge California storm suddenly looms.
I am so relieved to hear you are safe in Tucson. Like the way you have furnished the patio. I remember being there in 1999 and you gave me one of your canvases that had wintered over in the garage. It is hanging inour master bedroom.
Looking forward to hearing more!
Diane, they weren't exactly old then but just the ones I had wanted here. I have some still here-- now they are old lol. Those though had been stretched not that long before. I always like having materials here just in case the inspiration strikes :)
The photos all are nice but that last one is just gorgeous. I have always wanted a second home but will not get one now. I thought summer in Estes Park, Colorado or winter in Ireland would be lovely. Instead, here I am in North Central Texas where we can have four seasons in one day. LOL Glad you had a safe trip.
Caroline, it has its complications to have one for sure. I used to think it'd be ideal to have one home in the desert, one in the Rockies (Estes Park would be delightful) and one in the Puget Sound. I read about one of my writers, who I loved, having one of their homes in the Puget Sound and one in Mexico. It takes more money than we have to do more than two-- and maybe even two. Renting it part of the year helped but that also had its drawbacks with the nuisance factor and sometimes damage-- although pet owners are the best. I loved how they loved the house too. It felt like the house was being enjoyed when we couldn't.
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