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Hob Nobbin' With FDR & Eleanor, Zane Grey, John Wayne & LBJ

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

March 28, 2009 04:11 PM

Sojourn's van, part of the Arizona Bike Tour

Driving home by way of Gates Pass, (my favorite cut through the Tucson Mountains,) I saw an unusual vehicle way down below me.

What I saw first was its crown of bicycles. I had no idea until this afternoon that one van could transport so many bicycles.

There's a pull-off and parking lot at the foot of the pass, and I reached it just in time to snap a couple of shots before the van moved on.

Chris Morrissey is the Tour Leader for Sojourn Bicycling & Active Vacations. (I hope he reads this blog and comments, because I didn't find out which of the two is Chris, or what the name of the other fellow is.)

The business card says "Charlotte, Vermont." That's quite a hike from Tucson. Ever inquisitive, I looked them up on Google to find out more.

A dining room at Rancho de la Osa has entertained the likes of Zane Grey, John Wayne, FDR & Eleanor Roosevelt and LBJ. What I found is extraordinary. Watching a video on Sojourn's website, I was sure I recognized the dining room of Rancho De La Osa, a place my Darlin' and I have visited down by the border with Mexico. Sure enough! Here's some of what you'll read on the site:

"Pull on a pair of cowboy boots at historic Rancho de La Osa, a Sojourn exclusive. This remote guest ranch has served as a getaway for politicians and movie stars such as Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, John Wayne, Lyndon Johnson, and author Zane Grey. Your bicycle will be an afterthought as wrangler-led horseback rides provide a different perspective of the unique southwestern landscape. Join a guided hike and bird watch or relax in the pool and hot tub. Kick up your heels in the Rancho's Cantina that evening while two-stepping with wranglers."

If that doesn't get you in the mood for your next vacation, check your pulse.
There's more than one way to vacation in Arizona!

________________

I'm Mike in Tucson, your preferred Tucson, AZ Mortgage lender.

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 by Mike in Tucson; Rancho de la Osa dining room courtesy Sojourn Bicycling & Active Vacations

EDIT: Comment #3 was made by Sojourn's duo, Chris Morrissey & Simon Burrows, and the driver waving at us is Simon Burrows. Thanks, Simon.

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Anonymous

Simon

As for how many bikes we can fit up top, we had 17 on top of the van, and then when we are pulling the trailer, we can fit another 8 bikes. We have enough bikes for ALL OF YOU to come on a vacation with us! Cheers, Simon & Chris

Mar 29, 2009 06:53 AM

#11

ASHEVILLE REALTY REFERRAL RESOURCE 828-776-0779

REAL ESTATE REFERRAL NETWORK - Asheville, NC

CONTACT janeAnne365@gmail.com

Mike~

Your phrase..."...crown of bicycles..." caught my eye...what a great idea for a "green" eco tour...and maybe the restaurant will supply locally-grown and harvested produce=)

Mar 29, 2009 07:27 AM

Anonymous

Jo Burrows

Hello folks, I am the sister of Simon: biker, travel guide, driver, entertainer, brother, man extraordinaire of Sojourn! I have heard so many great things about these tours, and hope to go on one some day soon, perhaps when my son gets a bit older. It has always sounded so alluring to me. Where else do you get to mix exercise in the son with a sense of aesthetics, fine dining and exquisite lodging. Sounds a no brainer to me. I think bicyling in the public eye has tended to be associated either with biking that you do like seriously, with all the requisite equipment, clothing and attitude: like changing all your friends to bikers. Or its associated with Sunday jaunts or weekday pottering about within a 1 mile radius. Rarely is it a combination of the two: a decent amount of exercise followed by serious sojourning and a quality vacation. So rock on Sojourn. I intend to join you soon. Cheers, jo

Mar 29, 2009 07:55 AM

#13

Myrl Jeffcoat

Sacramento, CA

Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

Mike - I was thinking the other evening that it was pretty amazing you had settled in the desert, after living as a jungle boy in South America, between the ages of 12 and 17. Last evening, I was showing my son, the picture of your tribe, and mentioned you were now in Tucson. He said, "I can understand that. I lived in Key West for 4 years while in the Navy, and had a permanent rash from the humidity." I hope that wasn't your reason for moving to Arizona:-)

Mar 29, 2009 09:01 AM

Mike Jones

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

Mike Jones NMLS 223495

Myrl,

No rashes. LOL I had just married in 1997 when the company I worked for asked me to accept the position of National Sales Manager. "If you take the position," my boss said, "we want you to move somewhere west of the Mississippi in North America." "You choose, and we'll move you there."

I came home to my bride of 4 months (who had lived all her life at the Jersey shore) and broke the news. My Darlin' picked Arizona, and together we picked Tucson. That's how we came to live in the desert.

Jo,

THANK YOU for commenting! I appreciate having met your brother and his friend. Isn't the internet wonderful!

janeAnne,

Love your idea!

Simon,

That's a lot of bikes, and (I'll bet) a lot of work!

Kate,

It was the EASY button! LOL

Matt,

Seventeen!

Don,

I'll bet we will convert you to a visitor! :)

Mike in Tucson

Mar 29, 2009 10:12 AM

Terry & Bonnie Westbrook

Westbrook Realty Broker-Owner - Grand Rapids, MI

Westbrook Realty - Grand Rapids Forest Hills MI Re

I'm not sure a bike trip is for me I think I would enjoy the horse back ride more.

Mar 29, 2009 12:53 PM

Jennifer Fivelsdal

JFIVE Home Realty LLC | 845-758-6842|162 Deer Run Rd Red Hook NY 12571 - Rhinebeck, NY

Mid Hudson Valley real estate connection

Mike - there is so much to see and do. I was impressed that that small encounter inspired a post and peeked interest in Rancho De La Osa

Mar 29, 2009 03:47 PM

Karen Kruschka

RE/MAX Executives - Woodbridge, VA

- "My Experience Isn't Expensive - It's PRICELESS"

Mike, Regardless of how you did it I'm sure you enjoyed receiving their comment - the ultimate compliment, Karen

Mar 29, 2009 10:26 PM

Cindy Jones

Integrity Real Estate Group - Woodbridge, VA

Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News

I haven't done a trip with this group but have done bike trips with REI and Backroads. Am going to look up Sojourn and see what they have to offer. This time of year a bike trip in Tucson would be beautiful. Spring is one of the times I miss living in AZ!

Mar 30, 2009 12:27 AM

Larry Brewer - Benchmark Realty llc

Benchmark Realty LLc - Nashville, TN

Wow - It sounds like a great place to visit. Is it safe to ride bikes on the road. Around here you may turn into a hood ornament

Mar 30, 2009 03:01 PM

Mike Jones

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

Mike Jones NMLS 223495

Larry,

Well then, come on out here for a visit! :)

Cindy,

If you come to Tucson on a vacation, be sure to call and let us know!

Karen,

It is, isn't it? There's a blog post everywhere, just waiting for its story to be told.

Mike in Tucson

Mar 30, 2009 04:43 PM

Anonymous

Simon Burrows

Hello Cindy from Northern VA.

It is beginning to get too hot in the Tucson area to bike now, but Sojourn will be back in the Fall to lead more tours here in Arizona... you should join us then. check us out at www.GoSojourn.com.

Cheers,

Simon Burrows

Apr 02, 2009 06:29 AM

#22

Russel Ray, San Diego Business & Marketing Consultant & Photographer

Russel Ray - San Diego State University, CA

My poor old legs aren't up to the bicycle rides anymore, but they can still work the gas pedal in a car with a CD player and The Beatles.

Apr 05, 2009 05:40 AM

Mike Jones

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

Mike Jones NMLS 223495

Russel,

LOL

Simon,

Please contact me through Active Rain with your contact info; I'd love to keep in touch and blog about what's next for you.

Mike in Tucson

Apr 06, 2009 02:24 AM

Anonymous

Tom & Mary Ann Kofler

Hi Mike,

Just read your blog regarding meeting up with the Sojourn van. Mary Ann and I were recently on a Sojourn bicycle trip with Chris and Simon in the Tucson area. In the photo you took of the cluster of bikes on top of the van, I could not discern our tandem, but the photo probably was taken during our trip with them 3 weeks ago. I would like to tell you and your readers what a great time we had with Sojourn visiting your beautiful state. We do a lot of bike touring, and we have met a lot of wonderful people on these tours; Chris and Simon are at the top of our list as far as tour leaders. And Sojourn does it right; beautiful routes, fantastic lodging (eg: Rancho De La Osa), fun, interesting and educational activities, great food, and even time for leisure reading. We even had a 25mph tailwind on one of the days. What could be better. We love your neck of the woods, Mike. Thanks for letting me comment on your blog.

Tom & Mary Ann in Seattle

Apr 09, 2009 05:21 AM

#25

Mike Jones

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

Mike Jones NMLS 223495

Tom & Mary Ann,

What an honor to have you comment here! Thank you. You're right about the timing, so your tandem bike is up there in the mix, I'll bet. If you come back and read this, please contact me through Active Rain (top right of the blog page) with a mailing address. I'd love to send you some photos.

Mike in Tucson

Apr 09, 2009 05:14 PM

Doreen McPherson

Homesmart ~ Scottsdale ~ Tempe - Tempe, AZ

Phoenix Arizona Real Estate ~

No strangers in you world! Another great post about keeping your eyes open to what's going on around you!

Apr 13, 2009 11:59 AM

Mike Jones

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

Mike Jones NMLS 223495

Doreen,

That's right! Thanks for spending your afternoon on my blog! LOL

Mike in Tucson

Apr 13, 2009 12:12 PM

Doreen McPherson

Homesmart ~ Scottsdale ~ Tempe - Tempe, AZ

Phoenix Arizona Real Estate ~

Hey, I had to get my ten in some way. What better place to do it. There's always something interesting to read!

Apr 16, 2009 02:12 PM

Mike Jones

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

Mike Jones NMLS 223495

Doreen,

Like I said somewhere else just now, today, you're my favorite commenter! Thanks.

Mike in Tucson

Apr 16, 2009 05:36 PM

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