By Rod Kunkel
Gadsden Hotel, Wine Tasting, and Hiking
Our third getaway of 2023 to the Sprucedale Guest Ranch is coming up, from Wednesday 9/6 - Saturday 9/9. We have 8 people signed up to enjoy a few days of ranch activities and relaxation in the crisp, cool White Mountain air of eastern AZ. Given current temps in the valley, we’re really looking forward to it!
Our fourth weekend getaway of 2023 to Douglas is in the final planning stages. It is scheduled for Friday 10/27 - Sunday 10/29. The trip will feature the famous Gadsden Hotel, a local and national treasure. If you’ve never stayed there, prepare to take a step back in time. You are in for a weekend of Old West hospitality and Arizona history.
I’ve visited this corner of Arizona several times in the past couple years. It is refreshingly laid-back and uncrowded, yet rich with history and interesting things to do. My wife Jackie and I have also hiked in the nearby Chiricahua National Monument every year since we moved to Arizona in 2016. This is a very under-rated area of Arizona!
Here is the itinerary:
Friday 10/27
- ·Everyone arrives at Douglas Municipal Airport (KDGL) late morning. The runway is in better condition than some online commenters would lead you to believe. It has some cracks and bumps, but is no worse than say, Ak Chin, to put it in perspective.
- ·Lunch at the Gadsden Hotel in Douglas.
- ·Wine tasting at High Lonesome Vineyard in nearby McNeal.
- ·Return to Douglas for a behind the scenes tour of the Gadsden Hotel.
- ·Dinner at a local restaurant TBD.
- ·Overnight at the Gadsden Hotel.
Saturday 10/28
- ·Breakfast at the Gadsden Hotel.
- ·Hike at Chiricahua National Monument, very famous for its unique rock formations called hoodoos! This is what originally drew Jackie and I to this area. If you’ve been there, you know what I mean. If you haven’t, get ready for scenery the likes of which you likely haven’t seen.
- ·Return to Douglas. If we have time, we’ll visit some local Douglas museums to get a better historical perspective of the area.
- ·Cocktails in the Speakeasy at the Gadsden Hotel. This is a very special underground room beneath the lobby of the Gadsden that you’ll definitely want to experience.
- ·Dinner at the Gadsden Hotel.
- ·Overnight at the Gadsden Hotel.
Sunday 10/29
- ·Breakfast at the Gadsden Hotel.
- ·Back to Douglas Municipal Airport, leave for home.
I’m estimating the cost to be $500 for singles (you get your own room) and $800 for doubles (2 of you share a room). That includes lodging for Friday and Saturday night, and all meals from Friday lunch through Sunday breakfast, except for Saturday lunch when we’ll be hiking. It also incudes wine tasting at High Lonesome Vineyard. It does not include alcoholic beverages (other than wine tasting at High Lonesome).
If interested, please send me a deposit of $250 for singles and $400 for doubles to hold your spot. Reservation deadline is Monday 9/25.
To reserve your spot (or ask any questions), please contact me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..