Howdy, Wickenburg

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Howdy, Wickenburg

...Continued from yesterday:

     Wickenburg, Arizona is one hour northwest of and generally about half-a-dozen degrees cooler than Phoenix, thanks to its higher elevation. 
  

       Whatever the reason, we were thankful for those half-a-dozen degrees cooler when we arrived in Wickenburg on Friday afternoon,

...and Callie, Theresa, Tommy, Emily and I checked into our rooms at the Best Western Rancho Grande,

,...which may not be Best, but definitely rocks the Western, with  pretty red-tilled adobe buildings,

...architectural style,

 ...tile murals on the exterior walls,

...and those sweet Arizona palms.

       The lobby

     Our room

    Maria and Justin had rented another Airbnb outside of town for themselves and the kids.

     We'd stayed at this Best Western in May of 2014 when we came to Wickenburg for Claire and Miguel's wedding (See posts from 5/1/2014-5/9/2014),

...during which Tom and I had such a delightful time that we always said we'd return to Wickenburg again some day. 
     And we finally did last week to attend the Quinceañera* of Miguel's sister-in-law's sister.
    Wickenburg is a pretty little mountain desert town -  popular with snowbirds and as a stop-over for tourists heading west to Las Vegas  - that almost looks as if it could be out of the old West,

...if not for the contemporary accoutrements.

     Soon after checking into the Best Western Callie, Theresa, Tom and myself went for a walk to seek out some lunch,

...which we found at a cute bar called Mecca,

...where we requested a seat in the courtyard,

...which was lined with charming little shops.

    The food was yummy.

    We shared a basket of fried pickles,

...and split two mushroom and Swiss burgers among the four of us.

 As Callie - who is a phenomenal cook - had offered to fix Mexican for us all that evening at Maria and Justin's Airbnb, after lunch we drove to the local Safeway to pick up the necessary provisions,

...then we headed out to the Airbnb,

...which was about 15 minutes outside of Wickenburg in a rural area,

...on a 6-acre ranch down an unpaved road.

   Upon our arrival we were greeted by one of the locals.

     The house was beautiful and quite spacious inside, and with its cool stone floors and earth shades evoked a Spanish-style hacienda .

   There was a beautiful back porch and yard,

     When the time approached Callie began the dinner preparations while I assisted,

...with a pool.

...and the others set up,

...or watched the children.

   Dinner was over-the-top awesome fajitas with mango citrus slaw.

...which we all greatly enjoyed,

...as we likewise did the dessert I picked up at Safeway,

...topped with whipped cream.

     After dinner Tom, ever the good sport, offered to wash the dishes and clean the kitchen,

...while the rest of us went out back to watch the sunset.

...which really rounded off the day nicely.

*In Mexican culture the Quinceañera is the traditional coming out celebration in honor of a girl's 15th birthday.