Going Nuts
Perfectly spaced rows of pruned pecan trees border the rural road on our way to Stahmann’s Country Store. I have one purpose in mind – PECANS. Located a few miles south of Las Cruces, New Mexico, Stahmann’s estate grown pecans is in its 77th year as a family 
owned business. “Estate grown” means Stahmann’s grow all of their own pecans, never buying from other sources. Acres and acres of orchards receive irrigation from the Rio Grande. From tree to packaging each step is carefully controlled. For instance, Stahmann Farms stopped using chemical insecticides in the late 1980s. Instead, thousands of ladybugs, lacewing flies and natural predators control the harmful green and black aphids.
On our last trip through Las Cruces I discovered the Stahmann store on the historic plaza of Old Mesilla. A couple of tins of cinnamon spice pecans went home with us. Bob swears he doesn’t remember any of this, he’s sure I devoured them all myself? This time we purchase a half-dozen tins, roasted & salted, cinnamon spice and mild chile dusted. We resist the temptation of pralines, pecan brittle, white chocolate pecans and a dozen more tantalizing treats. I do make sure we tuck a catalog into the bag, making a mental note of their gift packages and assortments the next time I need special presents.
Before leaving we treat ourselves to the richest, creamiest pecan praline ice cream cone I’ve ever enjoyed. And, I’ve tried quite a few in my years. There’s something totally decadent with indulging in such a treat at 10:15 in the morning.
I want to go back sometime from May through August when tours are conducted every Wednesday morning and green leaves shade the orchard floor.
When You Go: Stahmann’s Country Store, on Hwy 28 south of Las Cruces, and Stahmann’s on the Plaze in Mesilla are open seven days a week. Stahmann’s accepts phone and online orders.
Sad Note: When our car was broken into in Phoenix one of the things that came up missing was our sack of Stahmann’s pecans. Bob moaned, “We hadn’t even gotten into them yet.” I tried to explain to everyone that these weren’t ordinary pecans, these were gourmet pecans. Next time we’ll eat our way out of the Stahmann’s parking lot.
Armed with bird books and binoculars we approach 
We start our visit with a picnic lunch in the pavilion near the visitor center. Before heading out for the driving tour we purchase a CD ($2.50) of interpretive information coordinated with numbered signs along the route. The Bosque Nature Store carries a large selection of birding and nature books plus gift items.
The prominent sighting on this trip was hundreds and hundreds of snow geese. They’re quite a sight when they all decide to go airborne. I always wish we had more time here and vow next time we’ll sit and bask in the winter sun much like the turtle on the log watching the ducks drift pass.
I spent a lot of time researching Sedona lodging options before making reservations. Many options are expensive resorts, even the national brand hotels tend to be more expensive than in the majority of destinations. I read reviews and comments from lots of sources. One facility caught my eye – 
Pillows – plenty of pillows in good condition, I hate worn-out, lumpy pillows
Towels – an abundance of thick absorbent towels
The first Saturday of spring 2009 with temps in the 70s- what other incentive do we need to get outside? A trip to 
The model airfield is a unique feature at Chatfield. With wind gusts up to 33mph only one plane was in the air during our visit. However, seeing the many different designs, prop to helicopters, and watching the guys tweak their aircraft was almost as interesting as watching a flight. I’m sure it’s not a male only hobby but you wouldn’t know it by today’s “pilots”.
Proximityto the Denver Metro area makes Chatfield a popular recreation destination. Twelve miles of hike/bike trails in the park link with a number of connecting trails including the Colorado Trail, Centennial Trail and Highline Canal Trail. Water sports draw capacity crowds in summer: boating, swimming, water skiing, jet skiing, sailboarding and fishing.
Phoenix public transportation got a huge boost when 
During our Phoenix visit the hotel was one block from a Metro station, we used it to avoid traffic and parking at the Heard Museum Indian Fair and to dinner downtown. We found the stations to be clean and well lit with shaded waiting areas. Each station is individualized with public art. At the Osborn/Central station bronze shoe and foot prints traverse the platform, a fun element but not especially outstanding as a work of art. More dramatic and eye-catching sculptures, murals and decorative walls adorn other stations.
Three premier attractions in the Flagstaff area have joined together to offer an Exploration Pass giving $2 discounts on admission to each the 
Nine Galleries at the 
enter. Monday morning brought clouds and a soft rain to Sedona, the things we had planned to do were outdoor activities. We decide to drive up Oak Creek Canyon to Flagstaff for a couple of indoor attractions.
he outer solar system. A guide leads the tour group through the campus to the dome housing the historic 24″ Alvan Clark refractor telescope. Percival Lowell spent a great deal of time observing Mars from this scope in the early 1900s. Evening programs allow public viewing of night skies – weather dependent, or course.
Back in the Visitor Center we spend time in the interactive Discover the Universe hall. Exhibits cover from how the eye sees to the order of planets from the sun. Attractive, informative and well maintained the exhibits are in direct contrast to what we found at Whipple the week prior. A multimedia show “Lowell Observatory: A New Century of Discovery” in the Giclas auditorium reports on the construction of the 4.2-meter Discovery Channel Telescope. Because the sun was a no show on this day we did not get to view the star through the special-filtered solar filtered, an activity usually available from 9:30-9:55am. Before departing Bob spent time selecting a book in the gift shop while I canvassed the staff for lunch recommendations.
Significant because of the 400th anniversary of Gaileo first pointing a telescope skyward, 2009 has been designated the International Year of Astronomy. Lowell Observatory will offer 
A Pass Key is an Italian sausage patty and cheese sandwich hot off the grill served with peperoncini and fries. I had mine with provolone cheese and chips. Bob chose half a Super Pass Key with three kinds of cheese. 
Where To Go - Travel USA 