Road Trip to Arizona Wine Country Inspires Women to Explore New Career Opportunities

Adventure. Discovery. Good Food. Great Scenery. When Barbara Lambert and her sister, Mary Elton, joined Brenda for a road trip to Tubac, they had no idea that their futures would hold possibilities never before imagined. Though all were successful career women, they found the possibility of change invigorating. Why not explore the unknown? Why not imagine new careers complete with fine dining, fashion forward wardrobes and a calling to the Arizona wilderness?

Tubac offered a taste of all the possibilities.

Lovely lunch at Wisdom's, Barb and Mary's wine/cheese and fruit plate, followed by a gourmet breakfast at the Tubac Country Inn kept these three travelers well nourished for 3 days of hiking, shopping and wine tasting.











Careers? Well, that turned out to be another matter. Try as she might, Barb just didn't have the pizzazz needed to be a four star waitress. It might have been the breakfast at The Spirit Tree Inn, with the sausage patties and cheerless proprietors, or it might have been the lack of proper attire. Somehow, her sense of fashion in the food service industry was misguided, though it did add a touch of humor to her wardrobe.






Ornithology offered another possiblity for career opportunity. Is there a bird in that tree? However, having neither the patience, the eyesight, nor the tolerance for early morning birdwatching, our travelers quickly gave up their dreams of joining the Audubon Society as birding guides.




Hiking provided yet another career opportunity. Soft desert air, hiking trails along the Santa Cruz River, guided paths at the Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Nature Conservancy and perfect clear blue skies found our travelers in hiker heaven. Clocking at least 10,000 steps per day, drinking liters of water to stay well-hydrated, snacking on dried apricots and almonds - what more satisfying and healthy beginning to a new career as hiking guides?



But, alas, one or two of our hikers discovered a disability in map reading and a sense of direction - rather important qualifications for guides.

Fortunately, shopping and wine tasting were still available to our three savvy travelers. Tubac, Patagonia, and Sonoita wine country welcomed these women and recognized their natural gifts. Shopkeepers opened their doors, displayed their fine art, and offered sale prices and gift wrapping.

Vintners poured samples of their finest wines, provided lavish descriptions of both scent and taste, and taught our travelers to swirl, sniff and sip.







Finally, a calling worthy of these fine women - shopping and wine tasting. They will provide resumes and references upon request.

Norwegians Discover Salsa in SaddleBrooke

It was quite a week for Norwegians in SaddleBrooke. The week began with a visit from Rick and Naomi Peterson, who hoped to find some sunshine, golf and hiking in the Arizona desert. After a February cold snap, those Minnesota Scandinavians hopped off a Northwest Airlines jet, sans luggage. Poor Naomi was almost forced to scour the Golden Goose for summer clothes, but was her lost luggage was found just in time!









Ah, the fresh desert air. Where's the snow?

Meanwhile, Scott Jarrett, another Norski hailing from Japan, soared over the Pacific Ocean. Destination: SaddleBrooke - for a reunion with his old childhood partner in crime from West (by God) Virginia, Dickie Robertson.

The best way to mix all this ethnic diversity (Swedes, Norwegians, Irish, Dutch and West Virginians)was to get them to the table.



Scott's appetite was amazing. Check out the burrito!

A little hiking...in snow and icy rain (sneet)...













a longer hike up to Romero pools,













The hike was long; the terrain was rocky; the elevation gain was ...significant! At the end, we felt a little tired and dried out!

















But before we knew it...it was time for a rest...






a glimpse of the pink mountains..."when the mountains turn pink..."













and then another meal. Can those Norskis put away the salsa!




They came for warm weather and sunshine; they came to talk about old memories and create new ones. They left SaddleBrooke with new old friends, new stories to tell and a great new recipe for jalopena lefse!

Bethel Boys Win Big at Red Mountain CC!

Why are Dick and Andy smiling? It's not every day that these two college buddies bring home the hardware from a golf tournament. Never mind the missed putts, the wrong club choice and all the excuses about the tricky greens...Dick and Andy will be seen sporting around town in their new red convertibles!


Note the detailing on the hood, doors and trunk of this beauty. All of these weeks and months of practice have finally paid off!

I suppose, dear reader, that you're eager to hear how this great golf feat was achieved! Well, the tournament preparations began early on March 6, 2007. Chef David prepared a high protein, high carb breakfast to send the golfers on their way.


After a few practice swings in the driveway, Dick and Andy hopped into the pickup and drove off into the sunrise.

Day one featured a picture perfect 14 holes, then things fell apart! The only remedy was another fine meal by Chef David and a glass or two of wine by the fire.


Day two of the tournament found our fearless competitors in a much better mood! Concentration, hard work and perfect pin placements brought great results! Could they have placed 6th in the tournament? Were they in the money? The well guarded results would be disclosed at the banquet...a husband and wife affair!

Where were Brenda and Sheila during all this excitement? Not at home sweeping cinders from the fire pit! They spent the day at the Phoenix Art Museum, lifting their spirits and elevating their already lofty cultural wisdom at the Rembrandt show. They hurried home to dress for the evening...the award ceremony and banquet.

Dick and David sported their finest threads as well. David, was nattily dressed in a navy blazer and creased khakis. Dick, however, chose his ensemble at the Golden Goose Thrift Shop...a tan blazer ($3.00), black golf shirt and unmatched pants.

The two handsome couples waited with anticipation for the awards to be announced.













David and Sheila amused the table with napkin tricks, as the tension mounted.









Finally..."The envelope please."



Dick Robertson - "Nearest the pin on hole #4, Day 1" Yea! Dick was a winner.



Next...the winning teams. "We made it! We placed 6th!" crooned Dick.

"And the top FIVE teams are in the money!" crackled the on again, off again microphone.

Such disappointment, such regret...those missed putts, those ill chosen clubs, those tricky pin placements. Would our heroes rebound? Would they ever pick up their clubs again?

Wait a minute...there was yet another announcement...and a fleet of gifts delivered to each table! All was not lost, Dick and Andy were among the winners...and if you look quickly, you will see them racing one another down Ellsworth in their sporty red convertibles!

Tune in next year for the next Senior Member/Guest Tournament at the Red Mountain Country Club.

Some family members love the snow!

Blue, the McKie family sheepdog, was a happy traveler this weekend, when more than 15 inches of snow fell in Minnesota. Mary & Paul, after shoveling out of their driveway, spent a warm winter afternoon in Rochester, giving Blue a bit of exercise.

Brenda Goes High Tech!

Today marks a milestone in the Robertson Family News! Thanks to assistance from Stan Rolfsrud, this blogsite will soon contain up to the century news and trivia from the lives of the Robfam.


Dick is testing his golf skills this week at Red Mountain CC in Mesa AZ with long time friend, David Anderson. In a 3 day tournament, Andy and Dick will compete against Arizona's finest golfers....and return home happily, we hope!

After mastering blogworld, I'll join him in Mesa and take in the Rembrandt exhibit at the Phoenix Art Museum with Sheila. Stay tuned for tournament results and pictures of the Anderson Hacienda at Red Mountain! Signing off for now, BB (Brenda the Blogger)