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THE ADVENTURER'S GUIDE TO EARLY RETIREMENT A COMMON SENSE APPROACH BILLY AND AKAISHA KADERLI Buy it Now!

A DAY IN THE LIFE.....

Billy and Akaisha Kaderli

In thirty hours, we visited and tasted three wineries, met the Girls of Safford, toured Kartchner Caverns State Park, watched a 4.0 USTA National quarter-finals tennis match, and still made it home in time for Game One of the World Series. Leaving mid Friday morning, the drive south through Tucson was scenic and uneventful. Gordon, our Sierra Vista friend and driver saw to that, getting us to our first stop, the Sonoita Vineyards. Tucked away off the paved highway, this small family owned winery was selected to provide the wine for the 1989 inaugural gala for President George

EXPANSIVE VIEWS OF SIERRA VISTA

Bush. The tasting went so well, we decided to purchase a 1998 Cabernet Sauvignon, to complement our picnic lunch. The expansive views from our picnic table were as memorable as the wine.

AGING WINES

Rested and satisfied from our lunch, we were back on the paved road onward to the town of Elgin, for a tasting at Elgin Winery. Becoming a winery is the latest, in a long list, that this establishment has been. Started as a brothel, then tavern, turned hotel, and now winery, this is where we met The Girls of Safford, Az. A large correctional facility is located in Safford. In fact, that's about all there is in Safford, so I can only imagine what happens when nine ladies head out of town for some wine tasting............ Back to Elgin winery...in our opinion, they should have kept it as one of its earlier lives. Nondescript, over priced wines, we were disappointed. But it was fun! By far, the winning winery of the day was Callaghan Vineyards, founded in 1990, which produces deep intense, and complex wines. Lisa, the knowledgeable wine master's wife, was our guide and made our time there very enjoyable.

The Buena Suerte Cuvee, made from 46% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Zinfandel, and 8% Cabernet Franc, at $18.00 per bottle was marvelous with our cheese and fruit platter. With only 340 cases produced, this family owned winery is sure to have a future. Early the next morning, we drove to Kartchner Caverns. Discovered by a couple of college cave hounds in 1974, this is the jewel of the US Caves. This is a must see for anyone visiting southeast Arizona. We were truely impressed by the conservation efforts to keep this cave in a "living" state. While touring the caverns, we could see mother nature working , making "Soda Straws" and "Stalagmites". Unfortunately, they would not allow photos to be taken in the caves, so you'll have to take our word for the amazing natural works of art we witnessed inside.

FAR TOO HAPPY WINE TASTERS

USTA TOURNAMENT

To complete our 30 hour journey, we stopped at the United States Tennis Association's National tennis tournament in Tucson. A friend of ours was playing, however he had already played and won his first match, and left for the day. All was not lost however, as we did watch several good matches between ladies, from many locales within the US. Home in time for Game One of the World Series between the San Francisco Giants and the Anaheim Angels, we had a great thirty hour trip within the State of Arizona.

Billy and Akaisha continue to journal and photograph their world travels.

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