Tuesday, March 20, 2007

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.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

A great adventure, well-told. Love the blog, Brenda.