Our Favorite Sunday Drive
Posted on July 22, 2009 with 0 comments
Scott and I have really been enjoying our ride to and from the Santa Cruz Valley. On occasion, when conditions are right, we take our time traveling our favorite "Sunday drive" home. This isn't our normal route - we usually go "straight" home (down to Nogales, east on 82 then south on 90), but if you are into Sunday drives, maybe you might have a little vintage red corvette named, oh say, Sweet Caroline just sitting in your garage wanting to hum along a beautiful highway, you might consider taking the road less traveled. There are wide open spaces all along highway 83 (I think it's a county road) to Sonoita, a shrine in Patagonia, wineries in Elgin, eateries, galleries, and the drive is breath-taking.
Here are the directions from Tubac (and back again): we take 19 north to Sahuarita Road where we go east (right). We travel Sahuarita Road east for about a half hour (it gets prettier and prettier) and we turn south (right) on highway 83. Here the road starts to wind a bit (so use a bit of caution - you want to enjoy the ride) and it gets more and more beautiful. Do not, under any circumstances, miss the turnout about halfway there. The view will blow your mind.
We travel south until we hit Sonoita. From Sonoita we usually travel east (making a left on 82) but if you want to visit the wineries, and travel another gorgeous road, continue south on 83 until you come to Elgin Road where you will make a left. This will take you right to many of the wineries in the area and it will take you back to 82.
At this point, turn left on 82 (going west) back toward Sonoita. Now at this juncture, you may choose to continue on 82 west passing through quaint Patagonia and Nogales where you can connect with 19 north to Tubac - OR - you can go back up 83 and retrace your drive (it's always worth a second go 'round).
Well, I hope this inspires you to dust off the old cruisemobile, whatever it may be and hit the road. It sure is beautiful out here. And nightrides on moonlit nights? You can see forever. See you soon... -B