Gypsy flamenco dancer on top of La Gitana Cantina
Ron Sullivan
Looking for a state of the art hammermill to churn mesquite beans into flour or some organic gardening tips? Arivaca may be the best and closest village to visit. It is a Tohono O’odham word. It is also an easy day trip from Quail Creek. From Quail Creek, take I-19 south to Arivaca Road exit 48. Continue west for about 23 miles to the village of Arivaca. On the way into the village, stop at the Gadsden Coffee Company for a cup of java or a slice of pie.
For something more filling, try La Gitana, The Gypsy, Cantina. It’s an eye catcher. On the cantina’s roof top is a larger than life image of a gypsy flamenco dancer demonstrating a rare combination of grit, spirituality, eroticism, angle and curve.
Next door to the cantina is Virginia’s. She operates a wood burning al fresco Mexican grill serving up tasty cheese enchiladas, as well as burritos and sandwiches. Fair warning: during the pollinating bee season she does not sell carbonated beverages. The bees love the sweet aroma and taste of an open can of soda. It’s all about carbohydrates. Her choice of beverage is water. Amy, her blue tick hound companion trained to chase mountain lions, will por favor in dog language for a table scrap.
Directly across the road is the Arivaca Co-op. There are several artists who consign their arts and crafts to the store. Local artists and residents often stop by to say hello. Organic and greenhouse gardeners have been known to offer gardening tips and share stories about farming life in the valley and growing up in southern Arizona.
Near the village is Santiago’s heritage seed farm. He has plenty of knowledge to share about Tarahumara, Hopi, Navajo and Mexican farming. He harvests and sells a wide assortment of heirloom seeds for sun flowers, gourds, corn and tepary beans. He displays them in a cornucopia motif emblematic of abundance.
For a stroll on the wild side visit the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge. The Arivaca Cienega and Creek are a part of the Refuge. The pedestrian boardwalks offer great views of the refuge. Birding is always a recommended activity.
When returning along Arivaca Road to Quail Creek the border check point patrol will be a stop. “How’s your day going?” “Fair and sunny” is the reply.
Ron and Vicki Sullivan reside in Quail Creek. They are community gardeners and sell Mata Ortiz pottery at the Green Valley Farmers Market every Wednesday.