The last full day in Tucson was a bit of a blur. We had a big breakfast–green corn tamales, eggs with chorizo, and tortillas–and then packed up and closed the house. The trip back was fast, just a bit more than four hours, and we zipped through the border.
Back at the Catalina Foothills Estates condominiums, we were greeted by David’s brother Kim and his wife Lou; I’ve known Kim almost as long as I’ve known David, and it was great to see them. They had just joined the commune, purchasing the end condo on David and Patti’s side.
We then popped by to say goodbye to the Laursens, but they were’t having it, and insisted that we come back for a drink before dinner.
Back in the car, we wanted to check out resorts for a possible return with the whole family. We drove through the Westin La Paloma, but it seemed pretty slick. We walked through the Loew’s Ventana Canyon (where I had stayed for my 40th reunion), but it was pretty tired and unappealing. We decided just to save the extra money and go back to Dove Mountain.
Thom mixed us up a potent drink with mezcal, asperol, and one other ingredient, and they showed us plans for their new house in Park City and photos of the surrounding mountains. Spectacular! All too soon it was time to say goodbye and head up the hills to dinner at Dora and Barry’s.
Patti and David were there too; Dora had gone all out, and we had a delicious dinner. First drinks and nibbles on the terrace overlooking town, then dinner in the patio. The lively conversation could have gone on for much longer, but we (thought we) had an early flight and had booked a mass market hotel at the airport and got on the road by 9:30.