Arizona south of the Gila River, land that until 1854 was part of Mexico, land that can range from high Sonoran Desert and stands of the iconic saguaro cactus to mile-high grasslands that once were grazed and now raise grapes for wine, to the alpine “sky islands” of 9,000+ foot snow-capped mountain ranges.

There were Spanish land grant ranches, Apache raids (A Mountain in Tucson is also known as Sentinel Peak), and mines carved into canyons. Native Americans have called this area home for 12,000 years. An Italian Jesuit missionary, Eusebio Francisco Kino, established missions in the Santa Cruz River Valley. An Irishman, Don Hugo O’Connor, in the employ of the Spanish crown, founded Tucson. It’s the mix—Indigenous people, Hispanics, Anglos, African-Americans and Asians—that creates the flavor. Baja Arizona has soul.