Hello to all who find this.
We hope to develop this blog to inform Friends (Quakers) and any like minded folks about the opportunities for a community lifestyle here in the Southeastern corner of Arizona.
Geographically we are about 20 miles form Mexico and 20 miles from New Mexico. The nearest "big" towns are Douglas to the south, Bisbee to the southwest and Sierra Vista to the west.Also nearby is McNeal (our nearest post office) , Elfrida and Tombstone. Folks tend to fly into Tucson International Airport. The community is about a 90 minute drive from there. Phoenix is about 90 miles again north of Tucson.Friends Southwest Center
was founded by a group of Quakers in the 1970's.
The founders had a vision of creating a small community of no more than 20 households sharing 60+ acres of land, sharing traditional Quaker values such as simple living, honoring diversity, caring for the earth and striving for social justice.
There are currently 6 active households in the community and room for several more.
We enjoy the surroundings of the high desert valley of Sulfur Springs. This valley is set between several mountain ranges including the Chiricahua, Dragoon, Mule, Perilla, and Huachuca as well as ranges to the south in Mexico.
The larger area is well known among bird lovers as a rare opportunity to see many species of birds throughout the year. The nearby Chirichaua area of Portal (about 80 miles to the NE) is renowned for its spring birding opportunities.
http://outdoors.webshots.com/slideshow/46579213vyLeHy (cut and paste this link for photos)
A mere 2 miles away is the Whitewater Draw Wildlife Refuge which includes a 750 acre wetlands and boasts a large population of Sandhill Cranes in the winter (23,000 in 2006).
The environment is wide and open and we hope that our community will grow mirroring the openness and depth of the beautiful land around us.
