Ninety minutes southeast of Tucson, and only ten miles from the Mexican border, Ramsey Canyon is a 380-acre high-desert oasis run by the Nature Conservancy. At 5,500 feet in the Huachuca Mountains, this "sky island" is the only U.S. habitat for several species of Mexican hummingbirds, including the metallic-green berylline. Come in July or August, when the monsoons roll in every afternoon, to see the birds dive-bombing the sycamores and piñons. Get an early check-in at the stately, hacienda-style Casa de San Pedro B&B, six miles from the preserve, and hike or mountain-bike along the San Pedro River before driving 15 miles east to artsy Bisbee for decidedly nonlocal lobster ravioli at Café Roka.

EXPENSE REPORT Two nights at Casa de San Pedro(bedandbirds.com): $320. Mountain-bike rentals for two (sunnspokes.com): $40 per day. Two takeout lunches from Buzz Breads, in Sierra Vista (520-459-0010): $18. Dinner for two at Café Roka, with bottle of Klinker Brick zinfandel (caferoka.com): $90. Total: $468