Because of the elevation differences, the combined ranches of the Esmeralda are home to many distinct environments.  Driving in, visitors find themselves in thick ocotillo forests on hillsides, only to descend into riparian corridors of sycamores and black walnut trees.  At a different river crossing, four or five species of oak are visible, while on nearby mountains pine forests rise.  This area of the country forms the headwaters of the Arizona River, which flows down to Lake Cuauhtemoc and the lush valley where Father Kino established a mission at Tubatama, Early settlers who were headed from the coast to Nogales originally blazed the trail up through Planchas de Plata, and Indian ruins can be found in other canyons.    Wildlife that's been seen by ranch hands and visitors includes jaguars, pumas, rears, ocelots, coati and any number of bat species. Birding parties already have shown interest in trips to the ranch, spotting elegant trogans, eared trogans, rose-throated becards, at Ieast three varieties of quail, vermilion fly-catchers, indigo buntings and gray hawks, among others.

Roberto and Dora Elda Corella, owners of the neighboring spread to Rancho Esmeralda.

   "Rancho Esmeralda is a group event place. Our idea is that visitors will choose from a menu of what's available," John says. "Whether you're a birding, hiking or corporate retreat group, you can have a guide or not. You can pick how strenuous your hikes will be. You could choose to do some horseback riding.  We provide group meals - our cooks are from a Nogales restaurant - and happy hour appetizers with an open bar, if that's what you want.    

  Later, on a tour of the overnight facilities, Rogo opens the control room that operates the completely solar energy system, designed and installed by Roberto, who among various business interests sells and installs such equipment throughout Sonora.   "We're just so far off the energy grid, this was the only way," Rogo says. Solar energy also will heat the large pool, he laughs, gesturing to a hole in the ground.  "There's still work to do."

   "The newly constructed hotel building was designed like a European hostel, or one of a growing number of adventure camps becoming popular throughout the United States, according to Rogo. The facility is divided into male and female wings, each featuring 20 queen-size beds arranged like upper and lower berths on a passenger train. There are curtains to close off every berth and each bed has its own overhead lamp. The well-appointed group bathrooms feature individual shower stalls, with attached private dressing rooms.

   Joining the two wings of the building is a large gathering space, part of which can be used as a dining room. There are wonderful views of the Avispas Mountains. A surrounding outdoor deck wraps the building. Decorated by Roberto's wife Dora Elda Corella, the friendly spaces are colorful and filled with murals and custom woodwork. The Great Room features a carved-on-site stone fireplace, and hand- wrought metal touches. All the construction was handled by four Nogales multi-discipline artisans.