Quiet Interlude, One of Many Parks Along “the Loop”
Ramada and picnic table in “hidden” spot just off the Loop Trail next to Steam Pump Ranch, Oro Valley.
Historic photo of the pump house and reservoir at the time.
October 16, 2022
Sometimes I like to grab a grilled ham and cheese sandwich or a breakfast biscuit at the QuikTrip located kind of centrally to most of the places I run to regularly for shopping. I did that tonight just to get out of the house after a couple of days of on-and-off yardwork.
We have found QT generally to be pretty good for a store of that type, clean and friendly. Usually enjoy their “to-order” food, although tonight was admittedly under par. After my order, I often run over to the state park and find a spot with a nice view to down it, but tonight I found a nice area that was under my nose but went unnoticed before.
The Steam Pump Ranch is within a block of the QT, and is one of the original ranches in the area. It had a steam-driven water pump that brought up water from a huge aquifer that spans the Tucson basin and was shipped from Germany by two of the pioneers who were also from there, Zellweger and Pusch. A lot has been preserved at the ranch, and much is being refurbished currently. It makes a great spot for our Heirloom Farmer’s Market, which really gets going this time of year with the weather being great on Saturday mornings up through about late April or mid-May.
The Loop bike and walking trail runs right behind the ranch. I was just going to park in the unpaved lot facing the trail and eat my ham and cheese before finishing up shopping. For some reason, I drove to the far end of the lot and noticed this little park off the Loop Biking/Walking Trail with a ramada and picnic table. It was very pleasant and will probably be a spot I use again. I have plans to walk that section of the Loop this fall.
Pump House Ruins stabilized in photo October 16, 2022.
While there, I took a few pictures of the pump house remains and one of the ranch hands quarters recently refinished. Clicking on any photo should open a lightbox.
