Adventure and Tacos
Today was the perfect overcast spring day for an adventure. I'm beginning to want to explore again. I have all these ideas and a growing destination list that begins right around the corner. I better get started, so here's my take on a little afternoon adventure before the summer hear set in.
We started the day at Mercado San Agustin, mostly because we were hungry and partly because I had been craving something from Seis Kitchen. Breakfast tacos are an odd concept to me, but my mouth watered as the chorizo and sriracha hit my palate. I cleaned my plate and washed down the spicy goodness with an icy jamaica, which I hadn't had for a long time. It's my favorite, even over horchata. Jamaica is a Mexican drink, or agua fresca, made with hibiscus flowers. It's dark pink and sweet and refreshing.
Full bellies called for some walking. I finally got to visit the MSA Annex, up the block from Mercado San Agustin. It's a trendy little outdoor shopping and dining spot whose buildings are made of old shipping containers. I loved the concept, but the ongoing construction almost all around the outside seems to take from the ambiance that would have been present amid the coffee sipping visitors. My favorite little store was Why I Love Where I Live, which is filled with things celebrating the love for Tucson. They had pins ad stickers and hats and T-shirts. I definitely need to visit again before I send out packages to friends so I can share a little piece of my corner of the world. You can take a look at all the fun things they have at their online store here.
After declining coffee from an aromatic little spot in the MSA Annex, it was time for a short drive up to Sentinel Peak, or A Mountain as the locals know it. The base of the mountain used to be an agricultural hot spot over 100 years ago when the Santa Cruz River ran full to bring water to crops like corn and squash. Now, the Santa Cruz is dry and can only be seen running during a particularly heavy monsoon rain. The base of the mountain no longer is home to agriculture, but rather to busy neighborhoods of Tucsonians.
You can drive up A Mountain via a one way paved road. The half way point of the drive puts you right under the giant "A" that was made of basalt rock excavated from the base of the mountain in 1916. You can park on the side of the narrow road and climb up the "A." It's a great place to visit and take pictures of the Tucson cityscape. I would love to go back at night and see all the city lights!
A Mountain is an important part of Tucson's history and traditions. For over 100 years, the "A" has been lit up at the beginning of the University of Arizona homecoming week. It is also the spot for fireworks on the 4th of July. Most importantly, A Mountain is responsible for the name Tucson. Tucson comes from the Tohono O'Oodham Indian word "Cuk Son" which translates to "at the base of the back hill." There is also a rich history of Sentinel Peak being used as a watch out point for the Spaniards who feared attacks from the Apaches and is also likely how it came to be known as Sentinel Peak.
After taking in the views and learning about Tucson's history, it was time to cool off and head back down the mountain. We found ourselves back at the Mercado, unsure of what to snack on when we saw a raspado stand that I couldn't say no to. A raspado is a Mexican dessert made with shaved ice, fresh fruit, ice cream and toppings like chamoy and tamarindo. It's a sweet, salty, spicy treat that cools you down on a hot spring afternoon and tantalizes your taste buds. The Mercado is definitely the place to be when hunger strikes, whether you're looking for a snack or plate full of goodness!
After declining coffee from an aromatic little spot in the MSA Annex, it was time for a short drive up to Sentinel Peak, or A Mountain as the locals know it. The base of the mountain used to be an agricultural hot spot over 100 years ago when the Santa Cruz River ran full to bring water to crops like corn and squash. Now, the Santa Cruz is dry and can only be seen running during a particularly heavy monsoon rain. The base of the mountain no longer is home to agriculture, but rather to busy neighborhoods of Tucsonians.
You can drive up A Mountain via a one way paved road. The half way point of the drive puts you right under the giant "A" that was made of basalt rock excavated from the base of the mountain in 1916. You can park on the side of the narrow road and climb up the "A." It's a great place to visit and take pictures of the Tucson cityscape. I would love to go back at night and see all the city lights!
A Mountain is an important part of Tucson's history and traditions. For over 100 years, the "A" has been lit up at the beginning of the University of Arizona homecoming week. It is also the spot for fireworks on the 4th of July. Most importantly, A Mountain is responsible for the name Tucson. Tucson comes from the Tohono O'Oodham Indian word "Cuk Son" which translates to "at the base of the back hill." There is also a rich history of Sentinel Peak being used as a watch out point for the Spaniards who feared attacks from the Apaches and is also likely how it came to be known as Sentinel Peak.
After taking in the views and learning about Tucson's history, it was time to cool off and head back down the mountain. We found ourselves back at the Mercado, unsure of what to snack on when we saw a raspado stand that I couldn't say no to. A raspado is a Mexican dessert made with shaved ice, fresh fruit, ice cream and toppings like chamoy and tamarindo. It's a sweet, salty, spicy treat that cools you down on a hot spring afternoon and tantalizes your taste buds. The Mercado is definitely the place to be when hunger strikes, whether you're looking for a snack or plate full of goodness!
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