Day 2: Cholla Blooms and First Impressions of Tucson
We woke up in Moriarty, New Mexico, surprisingly well rested after a night sleeping in the back of the truck. As it turns out, a mattress in the truck bed is a lot more comfortable than it probably has any right to be.
After Alex grabbed a coffee and I got my water, we headed west again.
The drive through the Gila National Forest ended up being one of the most beautiful stretches of road I’ve ever driven. We climbed higher into the mountains, winding through incredible rock formations and stopping at what felt like every turnout we could find. Every time I thought I had taken enough photos, another view would appear around the next corner.
Near the Black Range and the Aldo Leopold Wilderness, we stopped at an overlook and watched rain move across the landscape below us. From where we were standing, you could see sunlight hitting one section of the mountains while curtains of rain drifted across another. I hate that no photos can really do it justice.
This was also where I started seeing cholla cactus in bloom. I’d seen photos before, but they were even prettier in person. The purple looking cholla seemed to be covered in yellow flowers, while the greener plants were blooming pink. I immediately found myself trying to figure out the differences between tree cholla and jumping cholla, which led to a rabbit hole of cactus research that I’m sure will continue for the rest of this trip.
The farther south we traveled, the more desert plants appeared. I saw what I believe were century plants sending up enormous flower stalks, towering over everything around them. They looked almost prehistoric. I also discovered ocotillo for the first time. Somehow I had never paid much attention to them before, but seeing them covered in bright blooms completely changed that. Between the cholla, the agaves, and the ocotillo, I was already finding enough inspiration for a dozen paintings.
And then, finally, we started seeing saguaros. Not just one or two, but entire hillsides covered in them. I may have gotten a little too excited.
After months of planning and years of wanting to visit this part of Arizona, actually seeing saguaros standing across the landscape felt surreal. We reached the outskirts of Tucson around four in the afternoon and knew that once we got checked into the Joshua Tree House, neither of us would want to get back in the truck for the evening.
So before heading to our lodging, we stopped for dinner at El Charro. Founded in 1922, El Charro is one of Tucson’s most famous restaurants and is recognized as the oldest Mexican restaurant continuously operated by the same family in the United States. I ordered the taco sampler and absolutely loved it. The plate was far larger than I expected so Alex ended up helping me finish it. We enjoyed it so much that we ordered extra tacos to go, figuring we’d probably want a snack later that evening. They would eventually become breakfast.
After dinner, we finally made it to the Joshua Tree House. The Tucson property blends desert architecture, natural materials, vintage furnishings, and a simplicity that feels perfectly suited to the Sonoran Desert. The entire place just made me slow down and enjoy each moment. From the time we arrived, it felt less like a hotel and more like being invited into a thoughtfully designed desert home. After a much appreciated shower, I spent some time taking self portraits while Alex got cleaned up. Once we were both settled in, we headed outside to explore the property.
The sunset that evening was incredible. The desert glowed gold, then orange, then deep shades of pink as the light faded. We wandered around taking photos and immediately started talking about paintings. I already know several of those images are going to end up on canvas/paper when I get home and I suspect I’ll be painting scenes from this property for a long time. If we were able to be here longer I would have done a live painting on the property for sure.
The main building itself is just as beautiful as the grounds. Every room seems to reveal another thoughtful detail, another corner worth photographing, another spot where you want to sit with a cup of coffee or tea and stay awhile. That first night was incredibly quiet. We only saw one other couple, and they slipped into their room without more than a nod.
Alex had brought his guitar with him, but there was also one available at the property. As the sun disappeared and the evening cooled off, he sat in the outdoor dining area and quietly played for a while. It was the perfect way to end the day.
Music, desert air, and the saguaros.
MERC