TUCSON PORTRAIT STORIES

WILD MONSOONS

Of the 10 inches of rain a year that fall on the Sonoran Desert, 80 percent of it occurs on late summer afternoons within a matter of minutes. The dark clouds roll in, bolts of lightning flash and the heavens open, delivering a deluge to the parched earth. Washes fill up, dips in the road transform into deep canals and the adventurous emerge to feel the rain on their faces. Just as qu

TWISTED BEAUTY

Mystical crested saguaro, a giant thumb print held up to the sky, its memories recorded beyond patterned clouds. A topographic history of rivers that once flowed, our thirsty world is needy of candor. A Purple Martin Swallow asks, “will a flower blossom?” and this treasure from earth answers.

FRANK’S SALSA 

In the shadow of Sentinel Peak, otherwise known as “A” Mountain, stands a colorful home full of passion and activity. Frank, the son of Italian and Mexican parents, patiently repurposes old objects into a new state of beauty. His true joy, though, is making salsa from fresh Hatch chiles, along with a variety of the finest local ingredients. When the jars are sealed and ready for sale

SABINO CANYON SPLENDOR

Outdoor enthusiasts, nature lovers and desert animals create a tapestry of footprints on the myriad of trails crisscrossing this magnificent piece of the Sonoran desert. Hikers begin at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains and climb into the foothills along this beautiful canyon that has been carved over the millenia. At its peak of over 9,000 feet, snow melt journeys dow

LIFE ON THE  LOOP  

In 2018 Pima County completed The Loop, a paved 130-mile recreational trail. It circles Tucson, running along the banks of the Rillito and Santa Cruz rivers. Neon chalk messages, ceramic tilework and metal sculptures brighten the way. Joggers, cyclists, dog walkers and rollerbladers relish the car-free haven. Horses and coyotes traverse the riverbeds, as well as quail, roadrunne

SAGUARO SILOUHETTES  

In the shimmering heat of a Sonoran sunset, saguaros can be imagined to take on human forms. A child with multiple outstretched arms, an old man leaning over to shade a few blades of grass, a face with hollowed out eyes and a bird’s nest of a mouth. They dance in the backdrop of vivid colors, reveling in the transition to cooler nights. 

MANANA SA’ID 

A local security guard, Sa'id, takes a few moments from patrolling our local shopping center to practice his afternoon prayers. Afghan-born, he once worked as a translator for the US military and is accustomed to risking his personal safety for the benefit of others. At times, a passerby may sneer during his quiet and vulnerable moment of prayer. Unperturbed, he rises to greet them wi

SONORAN HARMONY

In May and June, as the Sonoran sun sets, the giant saguaro cacti burst into bloom with milky white flowers. Honeybees, long-nosed bats, white-tailed doves and hummingbirds flit, dance, and delight in the sweet nectar of our state flower. The flowers' melon-scented fragrance reaches its peak around midnight. By midday, the flowers will wilt and die, leaving behind vibrant red pulpy 

KITT PEAK NATIONAL OBSERVATORY  

Atop this sacred Tohono O’odham mountain, professional astronomers and researchers observe asteroids hurtling towards earth, calculating their potential impact. For the novice, KPNO, with its spectacular array of optical and radio telescopes, offers an unforgettable evening of stargazing and witnessing the moon in all its glory. What a wonderful place to contemplate

WELCOME TO BOOKMANS 

 “In a world where it sometimes feels hard to fit in, everyone here is accepted.” Alex is a great ambassador for this unique bookstore, where everyone is welcome to buy, sell, and browse. People from all walks of life find their favorite spot to dig into for a few minutes or the entire afternoon. This dynamic space hosts a whirlwind of cultural events and concerts, all while su

CITY OF GASTRONOMY 

Recognized as the first UNESCO city of gastronomy in the US, Tucson is home to a plethora of amazing culinary artists. Local chef, Maria Mazon, uses a blender to create psychedelic salsas to top her 25 varieties of tacos. Her talents have been recognized in local and international competitions, including Tuscon's Women's Iron Chef. From traditional Latin dishes to contemporary f

A LIFE IN BALANCE

Rising from the earth and reaching clear blue skies, the majestic saguaro towers over all earthly beings in the Sonoran Desert. Succulent fruits, myths and lessons have long been extracted from this glorious cactus, central to the native Tohono O’odham culture. While it protects itself with narrow spines and prickly needles, it generously offers sweet nectar and waxy flowers to po

JOE’S MURAL

Using their talent and unlimited imagination, our city's muralists create works of brilliant composition and colors. Joe Pagac's larger-than-life dreamscapes rain down on our neighborhoods with the power to transform and uplift. No need to be an art lover or historian. No entrance fees or closing times. Our beloved story tellers share their craft for everyone to see. 

Mt. LEMMON

Mount Lemmon is Tucson’s playground. Named after botanist Sara Plummer Lemmon, the sky island displays plant life from deserts, grasslands, coniferous forests and alpine mountains. With a temperature gradient of 30 degrees, a spectrum of year-round options awaits the adventurer. Bicycling the challenging and spectacular road, hiking the myriad of trails, rock climbing on the granite clif

THE POETRY CENTER

Ruth Walgreen Stephan, writer and philanthropist, gifted the University of Arizona her humble cottage and a few hundred books, planting the seed for what has flourished into one of the most admirable collections of contemporary poetry. Its new incarnation, an architectural treasure, is a place of inspiration and expression for adolescents, emerging writers, and international schol