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A beautiful restful weekend –
even the weather added to our stay – quiet rain.
We loved watching the birds – so many species
just outside our window! Such tasty breakfast, a great
way to start the day. The views are spectacular, we
never tire of them. The accommodations are so comfy
and cozy! We’ll see you again I’m sure –
we love it here – its so special. This is my 71st
birthday weekend. It has been so special!
– Ruthie & Dave, Tubac, Arizona
Nancy, thanks so much for your warm hospitality. We
enjoyed very much the beautiful room, and especially
the scenery! Wonderful place to birdwatch! We even had
the pleasure of watching two deer during the storm last
night.
– Linda & Bill, Vallejo, CA
Thank you for creating a way to bring beauty and warmth
into ours and your other guests’ lives. Your gracious
hospitality was appreciated by us and our mutual friend
Ann. Now that we have you we look forward to return
visits. We will certainly tell our friends back east
about the life you live and support here in the Stronghold.
Best wishes, as we all continue on our journey. –
Bob & Harriet, West Orange, New Jersey
Silence, Stars, Rocks, Birds, Wind, Peace, Renewal
– Gary & Gini, Tucson, Arizona
Thank you for putting us up on last minute notice –
moon rise from hot tub – WOW! Pizza + Breakfast
– Tasty! And the chance to laze around in pj’s
– Priceless
– Sue, New Meadows Idaho
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TWO things I truly appreciate about the southeastern
corner of Arizona: It's not crowded and it's not
cute. I can get out of town - any town - with
ease, and when I do, the Great Outdoors is open,
unpredictable, dispassionate. I feel free.
…I drove … to explore yet another
attractive lodging place…
About 15 miles south of the Interstate, off Forest
Service Road 84 in the Dragoon Mountains, the
Cochise Stronghold Bed and Breakfast occupies
one of a few private properties in Coronado National
Forest. Cochise, of course, was the great chief
of the Chiricahua Apaches who fiercely resisted
the incursion of Anglo settlers. This was his
territory.
In 1862, the United States launched a systematic
war against the Indians, but for more than 10
years, Cochise and a band of 200 followers fought
a guerrilla war, raiding and melting into the
Dragoons. After he died in 1874, Cochise was buried
somewhere in the stronghold.
John and Nancy Yates carved their bed-and-breakfast
out of the manzanita chaparral in the shelter
of the stronghold itself. They followed principles
of sustainable technologies, employing
straw-bale walls, passive solar heat, gray water
and rainwater from the metal roof. The
property also includes a tepee with three single
beds, two yurts that are the private domain of
the innkeepers and a hot tub under the stars.
This was a version of low tech that appealed to
all the senses. A polished antique table was set
for breakfast frittatas and fruit smoothies. Sheepskins,
down comforters and big old-fashioned bathtubs
suggested cosseting. Enveloping everything was
the sweet silence, the scent of warm juniper,
and a sense of deep peace.
….My soul had smoothed itself out, freshened
and fluttered.
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Cochise
Country B&B in Arizona
While visiting Tucson, we rented a car and drove
90 minutes to Cochise Country - a beautiful area
surrounded by mountains.
The Cochise Stronghold Bed and Breakfast is in
the Coronado National Forest area. Owners John
and Nancy Yates built a straw bale lodge on the
property, where they live in yurts. The building
has two rooms, the Agave and the Manzanita.
We loved the Agave room with its view patio, radiant-heated
stone floors, king-size bed and kitchenette. The
Manzanita has a private bedroom and full kitchen.
A tepee with three single beds can be had for
$50 with room rental. We enjoyed a hot tub every
night under the stars.
Breakfast, ordered the night before from an extensive
menu, featured entrees such as cornmeal pancakes,
smoked salmon or quiche - we added our choice
of eggs, meat, potatoes, beans, pastries, smoothies
and juices. We had enough leftovers for dinner.
They used locally grown foods, and they were delicious.
Hiking trails are nearby. Tombstone and Bisbee
are less than an hour away. The Yateses are extremely
knowledgeable and helpful with directions. It
was a perfect retreat into nature for us.
Rachelle Resnick, San Francisco
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