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willcox, arizona

Wineries, Museums, Apples and Spectacular Rock Formations

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​By GERRY BARKER
North Palm Beach Life

February 3, 2019

WILLCOX_ We first heard about this town back at the start of our trip. Remember Doug Quarles -- the Lizard Lounge artist in Tucumcari, New Mexico? He talked about how Willcox was the heart of Arizona wine country. So after leaving Palm Springs, we set a course for here -- a distance of some 460 miles.

A little research on Wikipedia and we discovered wine isn't the only thing that put Willcox on the map. Founded in 1880, it's also the birthplace of Rex Allen, a star in the Hollywood Westerns of the Fifties. There's a museum dedicated to "The Arizona Cowboy" in the middle of town.  And speaking of Hollywood, it's also noted parts of the 1993 film, "Red Rock West," starring Nicholas Cage and Dennis Hopper, was filmed here. 

But the big deal is wine. Almost 75 percent of all the wine grapes grown in Arizona come from right here. Who knew? Also, there are almost 20 wineries right in the Willcox area. More on those coming soon.

A major bonus for us was discovering that some 40 miles southeast of here is the Chiricahua National Monument. Located in the Chiricahua Mountains, it was established in 1924 to "protect its extensive hoodoos and balancing rocks." Spectacular doesn't do it justice. Wait until you see the photos.

We actually got a preview of the park when we parked at a I-10 rest stop on our way to Willcox. All around us were these large boulders, stacked like some kind of fantastic building blocks.

Another close-by attraction is Apple Annie's Orchard, where you pick your own apples, shop in their store, grab a cider donut, eat at their restaurant, check out the bakery  or just admire the scenery. It's quite a family operation, and growing every year. Let's pay them a visit ...
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We arrive, park and head to the orchards.

Grab a wagon and start picking!
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The boulders pose for us at an I-10 rest stop
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A scenic place to take a break from driving
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Lots to do. Get a pie ...eat at the restaurant ...or try a cider donut.

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You can sit in the shade, get around on the tractor or stop in for some delicious fudge.
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Talk about a scenic location!
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There's Pam -- always the
​apple of my eye!


Photos by North Palm Beach Life

NEXT STOP: WILLCOX WINERIES

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  • Home
    • Weather >
      • Hurricane Readiness
  • Cruise News
    • Cruise Reviews and Stories
    • Cruise Compete
    • Nieuw Statendam
  • Gigi in the 561
    • Gigi in the 561 Interviews
    • Cora
    • My Father's Tales >
      • My Father's Tales - Photo Album
  • Blogs
    • Gerry Pronounced Gary
    • Rock and Roll Rewind
    • Susan Goldfein -- Blog >
      • Susan Goldfein
  • Video
  • Travel
    • Snaps >
      • Snaps - Page 2
    • Island Destinations
    • October Odyssey >
      • Cartagena, Columbia
      • Panama Canal
      • Antigua, Guatemala
      • Cabo San Lucas
      • Birds and Bees Speakeasy in Los Angeles
      • We Love LA
      • Coast Starlight
      • Napa Wine Tour
      • California Zephyr
      • California Zephyr Part Two
      • Chicago
      • Amtrak Capitol Limited
      • Washington DC
    • Pam - Traveling in Style
    • Road Trip! >
      • Road Trip! -- Tucumcari, New Mexico
      • Road Trip! -- The Painted Desert
      • Road Trip! - Sedona, Arizona
      • Road Trip! - Sedona Wineries
      • Road Trip! Tonto Natural Bridge State Park
      • Road Trip! - Mogollon Rim
      • Road Trip! - Verde Canyon Railroad
      • Road Trip! - Jerome, Arizona
      • Road Trip! - California
      • Road Trip! - Palm Springs Celebrity Tour
      • Road Trip! - Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
      • Road Trip! - Festival in Palm Springs
      • Road Trip! - Willcox, Arizona and Apple Annie's Orchard
      • Road Trip! Willcox Wineries
      • Road Trip! Chiricahua National Monument
      • Road Trip! Tombstone, Arizona
      • Tombstone, Part Two
      • Road Trip! - Epilogue
    • Traveling With Joe >
      • Beartooth Highway
      • North Cascades National Park
      • A Visit to the Philippines
      • Grand Canyon National Park
      • Glacier National Park
      • Yellowstone National Park
      • Hiking in Bear Country
      • Crater Lake National Park
      • Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta
      • The Kerrville Folk Festival
      • Building Hope in the Rio Grande Valley
    • Unknown Yellowstone >
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Heart Lake
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Summit Lake
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Shoshone Lake
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Grizzly Lake
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Riddle Lake
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Pelican Cone
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Mt. Washburn
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Specimen Ridge
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Avalanche Peak
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Divide Creek
  • Contact
    • Pamela Barker - Author
    • The Story of StarText
  • Search