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Entrance Gates Make Me Wonder... (1 of 2)

By
Mortgage and Lending with SUNSTREET MORTGAGE, LLC (BK-0907366, NMLS 145171) NMLS 223495

It's a portal.  Don't you wonder what's on the other side?

...what's on the other side?

When I noticed the FOR SALE sign go up on a remarkable home in our little community of Tucson Estates II, my interest was piqued.   (Finally, I'm going to get to see what's behind that gate!)

Location?  Location.  Location!I'll tell you what's behind the gate...  next time. 

Tucson Mountain Park

Sunday evening, I climbed to a perch 800 feet above the home to get a sense of perspective on its location. 

See that little red arrow?  It's hovering over this particular home.  Come right about 200' and the road you see is the park boundry.  The entrance to the John Krein trail is right there.  That's the trail that brought us to our perch a mile away.

Wildflowers, Tucson styleOur community is surrounded on three sides by Tucson Mountain Park.  The park consists of 44,000 acres of gently sloped to mountainous terrain.  It's home to one of the most beautiful Giant Saguaro forests in the world.

You might think that with more than a million people, greater Tucson would be "built out." 

That's not the case on our side of the Tucson Mountains, because the town and county leaders had the foresight to create this preserve.  Tucson is on the other side, behind us to the east.

The city of Tucson from the John Krein trail in the Tucson Mountains

John Krein Trail

The John Krein trail is a favorite of mine, especially when I'm introducing out-of-towners to our chosen spot on the planet.

Fingernail moon over the desert.It's an easy hike to a point with a spectacular view, both to the east (Tucson) and the west (Tucson Estates II with a 75 mile horizon.)

I stayed until sunset, and walked out as dusk crept over the desert and the moon came out.  Two mountain bikers passed me, heading through the mountains back to Tucson.

I thought a little more about that gate, and what lay beyond.  I'll tell you tomorrow.  Be sure to come back and visit.

Saguaro at dusk

________________

I'm Mike in Tucson, your preferred Tucson, AZ Mortgage lender.
Mike Jones (Tucson Mortgage Company, LLC): Loan Officer in Tucson, Pima County, Arizona
Think of me as your Tucson mortgage expert.

Call me if I can help you with a purchase or refi mortgage;
(520) 349-9090

photos copyright Mike in Tucson (all rights reserved)

 

Comments(28)

Mike Jones
SUNSTREET MORTGAGE, LLC (BK-0907366, NMLS 145171) - Tucson, AZ
Mike Jones NMLS 223495

Larry,

We have quite a number of beautiful gates, especially in this litte corner of the community.

Tony,

There's a lot of "outside" to this home, and every home in our community.

Kate,

Going places...  I like that!

Kathie,

Más mañana!  LOL

Mike,

Glad to oblige!

Carol,

I'll be looking for you.

Susie,

The gate reminded me of Santa Fe too.  See you tomorrow.

Don,

You can understand why we chose this spot to settle out here in the west!  Thanks for being the first to comment.

Mike in Tucson

Mar 31, 2009 03:12 AM
William J. Archambault, Jr.
The Real Estate Investment Institute - Houston, TX

Mike,

Your sense of perspective is awesome!

Bill

Mar 31, 2009 03:38 AM
Mike Jones
SUNSTREET MORTGAGE, LLC (BK-0907366, NMLS 145171) - Tucson, AZ
Mike Jones NMLS 223495

Bill,

Location?  Location.  Location!  Thanks for the encouragement!

Mike in Tucson

Mar 31, 2009 03:53 AM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

You tease you.

I'm happy just to look at the get.  But, then I have a door fetish.

Mar 31, 2009 05:22 AM
William J. Archambault, Jr.
The Real Estate Investment Institute - Houston, TX

Mike,

Yes, but more importantly! Person, person, person the eye of the beholder! There is beauty in the most desolate of places, it takes a certain attitude to see it!

I believe we find what we seek. If we look for the awesome beauty If we look for good we'll find it no matter the location. Ugly exists, but only in contrast! I piety those that never see the beauty simply because they've never looked for it.

Bill

Mar 31, 2009 05:29 AM
Teri Eckholm
Boardman Realty - White Bear Lake, MN
REALTOR Serving Mpls/St Paul North & East Metro

Mike--What a lovely place to live! The photography is beautiful...And I cant wait to see what is  behind the gate. :)

Mar 31, 2009 09:04 AM
Karen Cooper
Karen Cooper | Sr Mortgage Loan Originator ! NMLS # 223305 | First Federal Bank of Florida, Ocala, FL - The Villages, FL
Helping Homeowners w/Home Loans in 27 US States

Hi Mike - your posts are not only inspirign me to get out there and walk my neighborhood, but to take a photography class! Beautiful!

Mar 31, 2009 09:13 AM
Bryant Tutas
Tutas Towne Realty, Inc and Garden Views Realty, LLC - Winter Garden, FL
Selling Florida one home at a time

Mike, You really do live ina beatiful place. I haven't been to the desert in over 30 years. Maybe I take TLW out west when she's recuperated.

Mar 31, 2009 11:10 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

Mike - That picture of the crescent moon, appearing as a perfect cup, reminds me of a few years back when Venus was conjunct with the moon.  The planet was perfectly placed just above the crescent, and looking like it was ready to drop into the cup!  It appeared mystical!

I like your other pictures too!

Mar 31, 2009 11:57 AM
Joan Mirantz
Homequest Real Estate - Concord, NH
Realtor, GRI, CBR, SRES - Concord New Hampshire

Awesome Mike....Im thinking it's a secret garden?

Mar 31, 2009 12:15 PM
Matt Listro
National Credit Fixers - Matt Listro - Vernon, CT
Your Credit Repair Expert

Hi Mike: Life is always better on the other side of the door - lol.

:)

Mar 31, 2009 02:26 PM
Terry & Bonnie Westbrook
Westbrook Realty Broker-Owner - Grand Rapids, MI
Westbrook Realty - Grand Rapids Forest Hills MI Re

The desert can be very nice for about 10 months of the year the heat is just too intense for me.

Mar 31, 2009 04:00 PM
Ann Heitland
Retired from RE/MAX Peak Properties - Flagstaff, AZ
Retired from Flagstaff Real Estate Sales

Can't wait for Part 2 -- meanwhile, it's a nice gate!

Mar 31, 2009 05:25 PM
Kate Kate
San Diego, CA
  • Hmmmm, Mike, Isn't there to be a Part Two today? Waiting not so patiently, kate ford
Apr 01, 2009 03:05 AM
Mike Jones
SUNSTREET MORTGAGE, LLC (BK-0907366, NMLS 145171) - Tucson, AZ
Mike Jones NMLS 223495

Dear Kate,

The day is young...  :)

Mike in Tucson

Apr 01, 2009 03:34 AM
Kate Kate
San Diego, CA

Okayyyyyy. Just keep in mind I anticipate needing my "going places" fix  sometime during  the course of the day :) kate ford

Apr 01, 2009 04:01 AM
Sharon Paxson
Sharon Paxson, RealtorĀ® EQTY Forbes Global Properties - Newport Beach, CA
Newport Beach Real Estate

Mike - I read these out of order, but what a great post. The landscape of tye Tucson mountains is just beautiful, I love all the Saguarro cactus. Very beautiful - and very inviting!

Apr 02, 2009 03:32 AM
Russel Ray, San Diego Business & Marketing Consultant & Photographer
Russel Ray - San Diego State University, CA

I love all of those "little green things" poking up out of the ground -- LOL.

Apr 05, 2009 05:30 AM
Mike Jones
SUNSTREET MORTGAGE, LLC (BK-0907366, NMLS 145171) - Tucson, AZ
Mike Jones NMLS 223495

Russel,

Some of those saguaros reach 50' in height and weigh as much as seven tons!

Sharon,

Any order is fine with me.  :)  Thanks for stopping by to comment.

Kate,

I appreciate having you as a reader.  Hope you got your fix!

Mike in Tucson

Apr 06, 2009 07:40 AM
Doreen McPherson
Homesmart ~ Scottsdale ~ Tempe - Tempe, AZ
Phoenix Arizona Real Estate ~

Love the saguaro sunset shot.  That gate reminds me of the older adobe homes that used to be around town. 

Apr 13, 2009 12:02 PM