R E T I R E E A R
L Y L I F E S T Y L E ~ S I N C E 1 9 9 1 ~
Live Well
Laugh Often
Billy & Akaisha Kaderli
Lighten Up
Love Much
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
EXPANSIVE VIEWS OF SIERRA VISTA
President George 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
FAR TOO HAPPY WINE TASTERS
USTA TOURNAMENT
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.
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.
