Crickethead Inn, situated on twenty acres
of undisturbed Sonoran Desert just outside of Tucson, not only
views crickets as a symbol of luck and treats them with
respect in the tradition of the far East, but honors all
desert creatures, from night flying bats to graceful deer. A
bountiful desert and domestic garden with a wide variety of
unusual succulents and blooming plants provide sustenance for
plant-feeding insects, who, in turn, provide fodder for birds
and other beasts (the colorful flowers nurture the spirit of
two-legged residents as well). A small watering hole attracts
mule deer, kit fox, coyote, bobcat, and packs of javelina,
among others.
At Crickethead Inn, the flavor is
spontaneously eclectic. Outside, natural beauty mixes with
one-of-a-kind, spirited sculptural assemblages. Inside,
Indonesian folk art, antique quilts and furniture, Mexican
craft, and unusual objects provide many angles of
contemplation. Crickethead's guest rooms occupy one wing of
the Inn, designed and constructed by the owner, Michael Lord.
Land, light, and space were the driving forces in its design.
Built with Mexican fired brick and high beamed ceilings, it is
comfortably earthy and unpretentious, yet inspiring in its
detail.
Each of the three guest accommodations
includes a queen-size bed, private bathroom with shower, a
roofed porch facing the sunset, and an entrance onto a common
patio facing the mountains. High ceilings and French doors let
the outdoors in. Looking up from your patio at night, the
starlit skies shine brightly beyond the lights of Tucson, and
muted hoots of the great horned owl are not uncommon, nor are
the distant yip of the coyotes.
Breakfast is always a delight at
Crickethead. Start with fresh aromatic coffee and herbal or
black teas. A varied breakfast menu is always tasty, featuring
fresh fruits in season. Guests also have access to a common
refrigerator and stove for personal use. |
Bordering Saguaro National Park west,
Crickethead Inn claims a poetic place on the land. The rocky
slopes of the Tucson Mountains are just minutes away by foot.
Those who enjoy a desert walk need only head up the dirt road
or, for a more challenging hike, head across the desert and up
Panther or Safford peaks next door. At the same time,
business, arts, and culture in downtown Tucson are just a
half-hour away.
A few miles east or south, ancient
petroglyphs are easily found at Pictures Rocks or in Saguaro
National Park, and the nearby Esperanza Trail winds you gently
to the top of Wasson Peak. Riding stables close by offer a
less strenuous way to explore the desert. Interstate 10, eight
miles east, will take you to Nogales, Mexico in an hour and a
half, if you don't stop at the numerous cultural, historic,
and natural attractions in between. But after a busy day, the
rejuvenating tranquility you will find at Crickethead Inn may
be the best attraction in the area. |
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