Four Bar Cottages

But an active retirement suits Bill just fine, especially when it means guests get to experience those breathtaking views — one of many attractions on this working cattle ranch, located just east of the Chiricahuas and less than a mile from the New Mexico state line.

Built in the early 1960s, the property served as the headquarters of a ranching empire that included parts of both states. The previous owners were friends of the Cavalieres, and when they put it up for sale in 2009, the couple scrapped their plans of retiring in New Mexico and settled down there instead.

A few years later, seeing a lack of lodging options for ecotourists and other visitors to the area, the Cavalieres made their two guest cottages available, and they run the business together while Jill continues to work as a school nurse in the area. Each cottage has a queen bed, two twin beds and a full bathroom. The one-room Hacienda resembles a comfortable hotel room. For more amenities, there’s the two-room Apache (pictured), which features a fully stocked kitchenette and a wraparound porch.

Both cottages are shaded by tall cottonwoods, pines and other trees, and both offer a view of nearby bird feeders. There’s also a wildlife pond with a blind from which guests can see herons, ducks and other waterfowl. So far, more than 220 avian species have been spotted on the grounds, and much of the cottages’ traffic comes from birders hoping to add to their “life lists” in and around the Chiricahuas. “It seems like every serious birdwatcher, at some time in their life, has to make the pilgrimage to Portal,” Bill says.

Attractions such as Cave Creek Canyon, the Chiricahua Desert Museum (just across the state line) and mountain hiking trails are only a short drive away. But guests also have the run of the 80-acre property — and, in Bill’s words, are welcome to “relax, sit back and enjoy themselves without worries or pressure.” After all, just because he likes to stay active doesn’t mean you have to.