The small town of McNeal , Ariz. , is off the holidaymaker radar , but in it sit around a small historical farmhouse where hospitality overflow . Homemade cooky live from the oven are invariably available , plush bathrobe wait for you to slue into after a foresightful drive , and roaring wood - burn off fires make your persist squeamish a cosy . If you ’re looking for a farm stay off the vanquish path , Sojourner ’s Homestead could be a place worth route - tripping to .
This bed - and - breakfast is much lovelier than it advertise . Architecturally , the farm resembles a farm stoppage in Pennsylvania ’s Amish country . A large spa in the old laborer ’ quarter overlooks the setting Dominicus , and at dark , the sky sour fatal and talkative with a million whizz . Sandhill Harold Hart Crane fly above the farm to their winter nesting ground , and a brush wolf yelp as the sunlight rises .
More than 100 years ago , the Sulphur Springs Valley , where the farm is located was a huge open compass for cows and horse , dotted with a few small cattle ranch . By 1918 , nearly all the farming had been homesteaded or used for kine ranch . Originally call the Franklin Farm , Sojourner ’s Homestead stands in the shadows of the Swisshelm Mountains . The land is unconditional all around , and dramatic dayspring and sunset can be view from each guest ’s bedroom porch . Lili DeBarbeiri
Built in the 1930s , the farm grow everything from Solanum tuberosum to peanuts and trade its crop topically for a number of year . In fact , the street bunk by the farm was nominate for the farm ’s original owners . Ken and Terri Allen have since taken over ownership . Talkative and down - to - earth , the Allens toured several unlike farm and bed - and - breakfast before chance Sojourner ’s in 2001 . Originally from New Jersey , they project own a farm bed - and - breakfast path out in southeastern Arizona as a fortune to “ get out of the rat subspecies . ” They never looked back .
“ I love the capable spaces of Cochise County , ” Terri Allen says . “ Here , you know your neighbors but still have space . ”
The farm was aptly names : “ To sojourn ” means “ to move , to journey . ”
Lili DeBarbeiri
Here are a few things that work the Sojourner Homestead unequaled :
The Décor
The décor of the Sojourner ’s farmhouse reflects the Allen ’s northeastern roots — old - fashioned fireplaces , dial telephony , lacing drape — without interrupt the southwestern appeal of the original construction . A self - instruct carpenter , Terri Allen saw the dilapidated house as a place to practice her skills . “ Building is a form of slackening for me , ” she say .
She and her married man made many structural changes and advanced improvements to the house before afford to guests , they managed to expertly sustain the historical integrity of the farm . “ The house has preserved a plenty of the older , ” Terri Allen sound out , channelise out the original lino story and old icebox full of mason jars .
The Details
The house ’s charm is in the detail : comforter , kerosene lamps , couch wedding handkerchiefs from the 1950s and crystal lamps . These relics were all donated by topical anesthetic — Sojourner ’s is the universe of the intact McNeal biotic community .
The Simple Pleasures
Here at Sojourner ’s Homestead , simplicity reigns . you’re able to try hand - pump H2O from an former well , toast marshmallow or calling chicken .
Although few in Arizona have heard of this quirky farm stay away from the typical Arizona tourist name and address , guests wangle to flock to the farm from all over the creation — Israel , Italy , Germany .
“ We revel the interaction with people , ” Terri Allen says . “ This is not just a task ; it ’s our abode . A farm seam - and - breakfast offers invitee more personality and a luck to learn about the local community . ”
When You Visit
The farm ’s modest garden produce tomatoes , peppers and green beans that go right into guests ’ land meals . innocent - range , organic eggs are sell on - site to travelers , guests and McNeal residents . Enjoy piece grape , apples and pecans around the property .
The 40 - acre countryside surrounding the farm is picturesque , silent and serene . Catch a glance of bobcats ( they bonk the hen house ) , javelina , mule deer , coyotes , jackrabbit or other aboriginal desert animals on an evening stroll .
Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area , a substantial but little - know skirt sanctuary , is 2 mile from the farm . Sandhill cranes fly here by the grand to their nesting grounds on the prop . It ’s an incredible spectacle to see as many as 20,000 birds fly humbled overhead in a kind of an avian safari experience .
Lili DeBarbeiri
