A few weeks ago, I posted a blog about the best of Sierra Vista and what the town has to offer. This week, I wanted to write a follow up on my absolute favorite things about being stationed at Fort Huachuca and living in Sierra Vista. 

1. Thunder Mountain Community Church - By far, my favorite part about being stationed at Fort Huachuca was getting connected to a local church. It was at TMCC that Robby and I found true community to be involved in. There, we were mentored and we mentored others. There, we served the city and served each other. We learned, we grew, and we made great friendships. Probably best of all, by having a local church in which we were engaged, we were able to invite Robby's battles and have a place to connect them. Finding authentic community and building lasting relationships here at TMCC and at our first duty station taught me that to feel connected, I need to focus first on finding my tribe. I'm so glad I found that through this awesome church! (TMCC website & Facebook)

2. Broxton's Coffee Shop - My next favorite part of living in Sierra Vista was finding a second home in the local coffee shop. Broxton's is a local and small business that brews excellent coffee, bakes delicious goods, and boasts a relaxing atmosphere. When I wanted to connect one-on-one with a new friend, I took them to Broxton's. When I needed to work on homework away from my actual home, I went to Broxton's. When the girls in my small group wanted to get together for a Bible study, we gathered at Broxton's. Voted best coffee and treats in Sierra Vista, Broxton's served me well. I miss the Roca Mocha already! (Broxton's website & Facebook)

3. The Farmer's Market - Another great part about living in Sierra Vista was the local farmer's market. Every Thursday, members of the town come together to buy fresh produce, tasty treats, and hand-crafted items from the farmers and artisans of the community. Live music plays, food trucks line up, and all are welcome in this family-friendly environment. Participating in the farmer's market each week gave me a chance to engage with the town on a personal level, support small businesses, and make new friends. Oh, and I got to enjoy the best meat, produce, treats, breads, and more that the city has to offer! (Farmer's Market website & Facebook)

4. Bisbee - Sierra Vista is s great town, but the neighboring town of Bisbee is a world of its own. Nestled next door to Sierra Vista, Bisbee is a place for artists, free-spirits, and hippies. It is truly one of a kind and a place that must be experienced by those who live in Southern Arizona. During my time in Sierra Vista, I made took many day-trips to enjoy a Mexican Mocha from Bisbee Coffee Company, a good plate of Mexican food from Santiago's, a slice of pizza from Screaming Banshee, or a root beer from Bisbee Brewing Company. I laughed and cried watching all the performances at Bisbee Open Stage at the Central School Project. I also strolled through each antique store, each art exhibit, and each boutique. Bisbee is a great escape and a great place to get inspired. (Bisbee website)

5. Ramsey Canyon/Patagonia Lake/Carr Canyon - My final favorite part part of living in Sierra Vista was the easy access to the great outdoors. Though I thoroughly enjoyed the desert climate and never tired of looking at the Huachuca Mountains, lush forests and cool waters are not far from city limits. While stationed at Fort Huachuca, Robby and I loved hiking through the nature preserve at Ramsey Canyon, swimming in the clear waters at Patagonia lake, and camping in Carr Canyon. There are so many ecological environments to enjoy and explore in the area, which was so unexpected and refreshing! (Brown Canyon Ranch and Parker Canyon Lake were also fun to explore!)

Living in Sierra Vista was such a treat. We were stationed there for about a year, but we didn't get everything done on our bucket list. If you find yourself lucky enough to be sent to the slow-moving but ever-growing Sierra Vista, make sure you take the time to savor it.