New Year Reflections

New Year Reflections: Celebrating Growth, Life, and New Beginnings

Looking back on 2024, it was all about building a life we feel proud of. We started the year by planting our desert vegetable garden (something we’ve dreamt of since we moved to the desert full-time in 2016!), building the Bath House at JTH Tucson (we are officially thermal circuit converts), and by hosting workshops and retreats to gather community (more of this in ’25!).

The second half of the year was focused on the birth of our second daughter Opal and renovating our hand-built family home. We ended the year with some health scares and the loss of a close family member, reminding us to always prioritize time together above all else. Never-ending support of our family, friends, and those of you who continue to follow along our journey have carried us through.

As we leave the year behind, we will always carry a piece of these past 12 months into upcoming years.

2024, you taught us so much.

A New Oasis: The Bathhouse

This summer, we finally brought to life a long-held dream for JTH Tucson—a serene bathhouse tucked away in a quiet corner of our courtyard.

We’ve undergone multiple projects since owning the inn, but the idea of creating a retreat for rest and renewal has never abandoned our thoughts and felt like a natural extension of our vision.

The once overgrown courtyard is now a bathhouse featuring a cedar sauna, a cold plunge tub, and an outdoor shower, thoughtfully arranged to provide a restorative thermal circuit.

Designed to encourage moments of reflection and calm, a small lounge area offers a chance to pause and take in the peace of the desert, while the invigorating chill of the plunge and soothing warmth of the sauna awakens the senses.

Seeing this space come together reminds us that sometimes the best things take time. Renovations, while intentionally making time for our growing family, has made our progress on projects like this slow and steady, but the rewards are all the more fulfilling.

We hope it offers our guests the same sense of restoration that creating it has brought to us.

Our Desert Garden Blooms

It’s easy to underestimate what we can accomplish in a year, while simultaneously feeling like we didn’t accomplish as much as we would’ve liked to in a day. This balance of patience and persistence has been the heart of our journey, and we were put through a test in both during the process of creating our desert garden.

After a year and a half of meticulous planning, planting, and nurturing, this lush oasis is now a vibrant addition to JTH Tucson. We’ve always intended our properties to be places for our guests to feel connected with nature.

Growing our garden over the last year and a half has been a reminder of just that—learning to work with nature’s rhythm, being patient, and appreciating growth.

A rain barrel feeds the garden, and beds dug down into the earth help to retain as much of the moisture as possible. The shaded structure keeps our plants and soil cooler in the Sonoran heat, and fencing the garden keeps desert critters from taking the first bite. Every step has taught us that nature is never in a rush (and there’s no need for us to be either).

Eventually, we hope to incorporate some of the food grown here into chef meals on site to bring the experience full circle. 🌱

Featuring an array of native flora, meandering pathways, and cozy seating nooks, the garden has quickly become a favorite spot for reflection, inspiration, and stargazing.  It’s a reminder of the beauty and resilience of the desert—and the magic that can happen when you pour love and intention into a project.

The Arrival of Our Daughter, Opal Aster Combs

2024 marks itself as a year of growth and creation—a year of growth for the inn, and as a year of growth for our family.

The most profound moment of this year was undoubtedly the birth of our daughter, Opal Aster Combs, on September 14th.

She has brought an abundance of light and love into our lives, and every day with her feels like a new adventure. Opal’s arrival has given us a fresh perspective on what it means to nurture and grow—a theme that resonates deeply with everything we’ve built.

Looking Ahead to 2025

As we close out this year of growth, challenge, and transition we are thinking about what’s next. Our focus for 2025 is to slow down and prioritize time with the people we love most while honoring the natural beauty of our surroundings. We’ll continue designing and creating spaces that focus on supporting guests with likeminded goals—to find time and space to reflect, reset, and create. And, of course, we’re excited to share every step of the journey with you.

To everyone who has stayed with us, supported us, or been part of our story this year: thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Here’s to 2025— from our family to yours, Happy New Year!

With love and gratitude,
Sara & Rich