Coronado

February 14, 2025

The rain came early this morning as predicted and then vanished, a major improvement from the forecast. I happily stash my raincoat back in the car. Today's ride, the last before we head back to Tucson, will be a sunny one after all.

After checking out of the casita we head over to Ollie Vaughn's for breakfast. In a neighborhood full of vegan restaurants, this is the only one I found with the bacon and eggs Barry has requested. The lemon ricotta pancakes are a delicious bonus.

Bike miles will be short today. I want to have a look around the Coronado neighborhood and check out the Oak Street murals I've heard about. At the mere mention of "murals," my partner opts out. Paula and Bill have offered us a place to hang out at their Airbnb - another back yard casita a few blocks away from Ollie's. Barry is quite happy to sit in the shade at their place and read while I wander around.

We're lucky to get a table here. The place is packed at 10:30 on a Friday.

On the back patio at Ollie Vaughn's. There are quite a few tables both inside and out, all occupied. Seems like there's plenty of opportunity in Coronado for another cafe for carnivores.

The Coronado historic district, just about one square mile in size, was planned as a prestigious "streetcar suburb" for the upper middle class when it was built in the 1920s. Its proximity to downtown limited the homes to a more modest size, typically one-story bungalows, that attracted more of the working class.

Decades of revitalization since the 1970s have made Coronado a popular neighborhood. It's an easy walk to restaurants, shops and wine bars - all independently owned- and there's a good chance you'll pass a mural or two on the way.

David Bowie, on 7th Street in the southwest end of Coronado

The screen of giant palms at the apartment building across from the 100-year-old Emerson Elementary School has a Suessian feel.

On Oak Street I find two blocks of murals on both sides of the alley. An annual "mural fest" in March features mural painting, food trucks and live music.

Lots more where this came from, Oak Street

We've seen several Waymo driverless taxis over the past couple of days. I had thought of these as more of a theoretical concept but here they are, a real thing. I read that these cars are a bundle of cameras and sensors for navigation and obstacle detection. When I ride toward the Urban Cookies bakery, one of these taxis gives me a wide berth as it slowly passes.

The doodad on top is a spinning 360 degree camera array.

That was quite a comfortable pass, thank you.

The robocab delivers its passenger to the Sunshine market and deli.

Urban Cookies, the final destination this morning, is a winner. Truly the most delicious cookies I can remember.

We have a little free time before a date in Chandler this afternoon to start looking at tow vehicles for a bigger RV. I'll spare you the details on that particular errand. Before we get there I could use a bit more exercise than what I got from my four mile ride through the neighborhood.

On the way to the car shop we stop in Tempe to hike up Hayden Butte. The hike is short and steep, just seven tenths of a mile round-trip with a 278 foot ascent. The skies are cloudy and look unsettled. I should have dug out that raincoat but didn't think about it until it starts to sprinkle when I get halfway up the hill.

Folks coming back are gingerly picking their way down the rocks, especially the guy wearing flip flops.

Really? You want to climb up that part too?

Great views at the top of Tempe, Scottsdale and Phoenix

We have one more stop before the rest of the drive back to Tucson. Barry's cousin Kathy lives in Sun Lakes, a retirement community south of Chandler surrounded by alfafa fields. Kathy's father Stub was the brother of Marguerite, Barry's mom. I find the contrast in their names fascinating - one elegant, one down and dirty.

These two cousins haven't seen one another since the early 60s when they were teenagers in northern Wisconsin. We join Kathy and her partner Bud for dinner at their club. They have a lot to catch up on, and Kathy shares some wonderful old family photos. She talks about how as their families are shrinking, connecting with those who share a family history is especially meaningful. That is so true.

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Today's ride: 4 miles (6 km)
Total: 544 miles (875 km)

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Scott AndersonWhat n incredible collection of murals! It would be worth the drive over just for that.
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21 hours ago

Rachael AndersonWhat a great day!
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14 hours ago

Janice BranhamTo Scott AndersonI found it to be an appealing neighborhood. There are murals that pop up all around the district. It would be fun to be there for the mural fest.
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2 hours ago