Spice It Up
I’ve read about the quality chili and spices from Santa Cruz Chili & Spice Company for years but had never had the opportunity to stop and shop. Today we made it; and, we weren’t the only ones. A constant flow of shoppers arrived and departed with sacks of chili pastes, salsas, herbs and spices from around the world.
In business for 60 years, Santa Cruz is famous for the distinctive flavors of red chili peppers grown in the region made into a handy, easy-to-use chili paste. A round table in the ranch museum room is set up with chips and a dozen of the Santa Cruz products are available for tasting – paste to jam. Try them, you may find something new. Bob did – jalapeno orange marmalade.
Want a fajita spice mix, taco meat seasoning, habenero powder? You’ll find them and dozens more. In the market for paprika? There’s Peruvian, Hungarian, Hungarian half-hot, smoked, sweet, and Spanish. Who knew? Sample jars let you sprinkle a taste in your hand to try before you buy. Chili powders are rated for degree of hotness.
In addition to their own products there’s an extensive collection of regional flavors from other companies – hot sauces, salsas, jellies, syrups, mustards, etc.
Not sure how best to use some of the spices? Purchase a copy of the Santa Cruz Chili & Spice Co. Cookbook, a collection of favorite recipes from traditional Mexican dishes to new and healthy ways to cook with their products. The book is spiced with family stories of life in the Southwest and history of the company. This is a perfect place for souvenir shopping for cooks on your list; a bonus is the extremely fair and affordable prices. Gourmets will have a real spicy spree.
When You Go: Santa Cruz Chili & Spice Company is located on the I-19 frontage road, exit 29, just south of the Tumacacori National Monument. Three miles south of Tubac. Open Monday – Saturday 8am – 5pm, closed Sundays.
Passengers stepping off the train in 1880 Fairbank found themselves in a thriving transportation hub. Three railroad lines passed through the town, one connected with the Mexican port of Guaymas. From Fairbank passengers boarded the stage for the final travel leg into the mining town of Tombstone. An elegant hotel and restaurant, serving such delicacies as oysters on the half shell, provided creature comforts in the wilds of Southeastern Arizona.
The Bureau of Land Management acquired the old Spanish Land Grant that Fairbank was built upon in 1987. The townsite is a gateway to the San Pedro Riparian National Conservaiton Area. Hiking trails lead to the Fairbank Cemetery, mill sites and along the river – an important habitat for both resident an
d migratory birds.
As we step through the heavy wooden doors into the adobe visitor center at 
Photographers find a plethora of interesting angles, framing and details. Today Dora Hernandez worked beneath a ramada making fresh flour tortillas. For a donation visitors topped their tortillas with beans, salsa and/or cheese and savored a bit of tradition. At a table in the courtyard an elder taught a young girl the art of cutting paper flowers.
From Interstate 10 in Benson, Arizona
Finally getting up enough nerve to open the door I come face-to-face with Winifred Bundy. The first words out of her mouth are, “Let me give you a tour.” By tour she means a very detail explanation of how topics are arranged on the floor-to-ceiling shelves in three rooms. If you don’t pay attention you’ll miss her quips and puns. There may be a test later.
While one can find selections from art to zoology, books of the Southwest and Western Americana are specialties. The selection amazes. If you’ve listened to Win’s tour you’ll know where to browse for that special title you’ve been seeking. All books were new when they were put on the shelf – that may have been a long time ago. Meaning you might find some real bargains in older books. Singing Wind offers limited availability in some out-of-print materials. They’re willing to search for special requests and will take mail orders over the phone.
The children’s room with antique rocking chairs makes me wish there had been a place like this in my childhood.
We’re too early for spring migration, however several species winter at the refuge. From an observation deck overlooking Crane Lake we focus on the white “island” across the lake – hundreds and hundreds of snow geese. Sandhill cranes stalk the far shoreline. Canada geese flap and strut near the lake’s edge. Numerous species of ducks bob directly in front of us. Unfortunately my knowledge of species stops at mallard and teal. I need our Sibley’s to identify all that I observe. Wind whipped and chilled we opt for viewing along the eight-mile auto loop passing ponds, lakes, marshes, grasslands and cottonwood groves.
The brochure says 20-50 eagles winter at this refuge but we see none on this visit. We do see a northern harrier hawk drift low over the dry gama grass, stalking its prey – probably a vole.
Where To Go - Travel USA 