Sprung

The surprise worked! Mom's jaw dropped like me climbing a 5.12. And then we celebrated her, our mother with a full week-end of togetherness, the one thing she truly wanted. Just a few pictures posted below. Happy birthday mom, we love you!

Happy Travels

A mass Hobson, Gold, Gilg migration west is in effect. Happy travels to all and see you soon. Remember you can text message Liz or me anytime with any updates or requests.

Aaron

Keeling/Schaeffer vineyard visit out

I spoke to the owners of the vineyard and they are not going to be around next week for us to stop at their vineyard. They did say we could go to their tasting room in Wilcox, but a I personally think that this isn't as cool as surprising her on a trail. I haven't searched for other vineyards, but unless someone else wants to, I'm leaning towards having the surprise at Chiricahua National Monument. Dogs are allowed on some of their trails specifically Sugarloaf peak, a 0.9 mile trail to a small summit. I'm thinking that we'll go in their to hike , and all of you will already be at the summit with a sweet Surprise Birthday Picnic spread (including some of the Arizona wine maybe?). There is a fire watch-tower at the top, but I couldn't find on-line information about picnic tables/shade. What do you guys think?

Bisbee rental details

I just got an email from the rental house owner. She sounds like a sweetheart.

Dear Aaron,

Yes there is an outdoor grill that uses briquets and there is a partial bag there now. The kitchens are fully furnished with dishes and pots and pans and a few basic spices are there such as salt and pepper, garlic powder, coffee etc. 

I can meet your siblings downtown at the Bisbee Coffee Company coffee shop which is in the big brownish tan building on Main Street across from the Mining and Historical Museum. The coffee shop is at the end of the building  and faces the post office and library which is that 3 story building with arches. and there is parking in front and behind the building where the coffee shop is. They could give me a call when they are leaving Tucson or arriving in Benson. What time does their flight arrive in Tucson? 

I am 67 and have short white hair and drive a dark blue Nissan Sentra. I will be watching for them and probably be sitting outside of the coffee shop in the sun. Then they can follow me up to the houses which are only 4 blocks away and you already know how to get to the houses when you arrive. As I said I will bake a birthday cake for your mom. Do you know if she likes chocolate or orange or banana. I make delicious chocolate and orange cakes. Also, I have a bottle of champagne in the refrigerator at the Cobre house. I will have both sets of keys with me to give to those who arrive first.

It is very nice of you to have this party for your mother. I look forward to your stay and thank you again for choosing our casas for your celebration. My cell phone is 520-234-7013 and my home phone is 520-432-5759. Cathy

Sounds like I don't have to do anything else with regards to getting you all set-up down there.

How to craft the surprise

Hey Guys,

I was thinking that we should try to come up with a location to surprise Mom. If Aaron and Liz just drive to Bisbee and stops at the houses when she thinks she's going to a campground, then she'll know something's up.

One thing I thought we could do is meet at a vineyard on the way to Bisbee. There are a few in the foothills of the Chiricahua Mountains that could be nice places to stop for a spell on the way to the "campground". Aaron could be like, "Hey look Mom, there's a vineyard up ahead. Why don't we stop and do some wine tasting?" and she'd be all "Yeah, I love wine, let's do it." and we'd all be waiting inside and surprise her!! What do you think?

There are a few vineyards on the way to Bisbee from Las Cruces that are close enough to camping areas that it wouldn't arouse her suspicions:

http://www.colibrivineyard.com/
http://www.keelingschaefervineyards.com/

Both require us to call them to set up appointments for tasting, but I think it would be easy enough to do. What do you think?

Rental Van!!

We've booked a minivan for the ride from Tuscon to Bisbee and back again. We went with Advantage Rent A Car (conf. number E7372592028).
Pick UP Phone Number 520-294-4028, Pick Up Hours 7:00am-11:00pm.

The van seats 7 people and is reserved from May 19 at 1 pm to May 23 (1 pm drop off). Our flight leaves at 1:00, so we'll have to be at the airport by 11:00 am at the latest to drop it off.

Ben, if you can get to Tuscon by 1:00 PM on Wednesday, you are welcome to join us. If not, you're on your own for transportation. Likewise, if you want to leave AZ on Saturday, you'll have to find your own ride. The way back to the airport may be tricky since we'll be taking Mom with us, and seeing as she'll be occupying the 7th seat, there won't be any room for you... so maybe renting your own vehicle would be best. It would give you the most flexibility, unless you want to ride in the trunk....