Today we took a very beautiful scenic drive through the Tucson Valley. The road carries you through the Old Tucson Movie Studio, a place where John Wayne made four movies, the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum and finally to Saguaro National Park.
We stopped at the Tucson Movie Studio to get some information as to whether they were filming movies there now or not, it turns out they are not. Since we're expecting another couple to join up with us in about a week, we decided not to tour the Studio today.
When we stopped at the Sonora Desert Museum there were at least two groups of school children there so we didn't want to be there with all the noise and crowds. Again we'll come back later.
Finally at the Saguaro National Park we found a place that was not crowded. We arrived just in time to see the 25 minute movie about the Saguaro cactus and it was really worth our time. The pictures were truly beautiful and the narrative was very informative.
Even though we didn't spend too much time at Tucson Studio or the Sonora Desert Museum, I still took a couple of pictures of our trip which I hope you enjoy. The country side here is truly beautiful and something that you must see.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
San Xavier Del Bac Mission Tucson, AZ
In the vast desert on an Indian Reservation just south of Tucson, one would not expect to find a beautiful church. The San Xavier Del Bac Mission, also known as "The White Dove Of The Desert" is truly an awesome experience.
The "White Dove Of The Desert", founded in 1692, built in 1783. One of the best preserved and most exquisite old Spanish Missions in the Southwest. Established in 1892 by Father Kino, it stands in the center of a Papago Indian settlement along the banks of the Sante Cruz River.
Services are held here regularly for the Indians who are direct descendants of those for whom the Mission was conceived.
A visitor to San Xavier should note that the entire structure is a series of domes and arches and that wood is employed only in windows and door frames.
I hope you enjoy the few pictures I took of the Mission, it is really impressive.
The "White Dove Of The Desert", founded in 1692, built in 1783. One of the best preserved and most exquisite old Spanish Missions in the Southwest. Established in 1892 by Father Kino, it stands in the center of a Papago Indian settlement along the banks of the Sante Cruz River.
Services are held here regularly for the Indians who are direct descendants of those for whom the Mission was conceived.
A visitor to San Xavier should note that the entire structure is a series of domes and arches and that wood is employed only in windows and door frames.
I hope you enjoy the few pictures I took of the Mission, it is really impressive.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Tucson, Arizona
After spending a month in Willcox, Arizona is was finally time for us to move on. We can't allow grass to grow under the wheels.
We really enjoyed staying at Lifestyle RV Resort, the sites are nice and they have a large indoor pool and a wonderful hot tub. The exercise room has all kinds of equipment so that you can work out and stay in shape.
En route to Tucson we had to drive through Texas Canyon. It has noting to do with Texas and I don't know why the name but it's really a pretty place with all sizes boulders that have been there for millions of years.
The park we're in here in Tucson has over a hundred Saguaro (pronounced Sue-War-Oh) Cactus and the mountains around us are beautiful. This is quite probably the prettiest park we've ever stayed in. Of course I took a few pictures for your pleasure.
We really enjoyed staying at Lifestyle RV Resort, the sites are nice and they have a large indoor pool and a wonderful hot tub. The exercise room has all kinds of equipment so that you can work out and stay in shape.
En route to Tucson we had to drive through Texas Canyon. It has noting to do with Texas and I don't know why the name but it's really a pretty place with all sizes boulders that have been there for millions of years.
The park we're in here in Tucson has over a hundred Saguaro (pronounced Sue-War-Oh) Cactus and the mountains around us are beautiful. This is quite probably the prettiest park we've ever stayed in. Of course I took a few pictures for your pleasure.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Chiricahua National Monument
As you enter the Chiricahua National Monument you are climbing up a sky island, an isolated mountain range rising above the surrounding grasslands sea. Meadows dotted with cactus and mesquite begin to fill with sycamore, juniper and oak trees. It's the rock pinnacles looming over the road like guardians of the forest that announce you're in Chiricahua country.
Chiricahua National Monument was established in 1924 to preserve and protect the pinnacles. In 1934 the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) took on the job of improving the road and constructing trails and many of the structures. The park comprises 11,985 acres, 86 percent of the area is designated as wilderness. The eight-mile scenic drive rises from the grasslands to the summit at Massai Point, where you get a true sense of being atop a sky island.
We had a private tour of the Ranch House at Faraway Ranch. Swedish immigrants Neil and Emma Erickson settled here in 1888. It took Mr. Erickson ten years to build the ranch house. In the early 1900's their daughter and her husband turned the house into a Guest Ranch.
We really enjoyed seeing all the beauty nature has provided and of course I took a couple of pictures. For those that probably will never make a trip out here, hopefully you'll enjoy the pictures.
Chiricahua National Monument was established in 1924 to preserve and protect the pinnacles. In 1934 the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) took on the job of improving the road and constructing trails and many of the structures. The park comprises 11,985 acres, 86 percent of the area is designated as wilderness. The eight-mile scenic drive rises from the grasslands to the summit at Massai Point, where you get a true sense of being atop a sky island.
We had a private tour of the Ranch House at Faraway Ranch. Swedish immigrants Neil and Emma Erickson settled here in 1888. It took Mr. Erickson ten years to build the ranch house. In the early 1900's their daughter and her husband turned the house into a Guest Ranch.
We really enjoyed seeing all the beauty nature has provided and of course I took a couple of pictures. For those that probably will never make a trip out here, hopefully you'll enjoy the pictures.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
An Enjoyable Trip To Tombstone, AZ
Today we took a scenic drive to Tombstone, AZ. Most people would have taken I-10 over to Benson and then down to Tombstone to have paved road all the way. We decided to take the back roads and see the beautiful countryside. We drove to Pearce Ghost Town and then we took what they call a Primitive Road and believe me it was. It was a gravel road loaded with "washboard" areas, but the countryside was beautiful.
After touring Tombstone and since it was getting late in the day, we did take the paved roads back to Wilcox.
Of course I took a few pictures of our little trip and I hope you enjoy them.
After touring Tombstone and since it was getting late in the day, we did take the paved roads back to Wilcox.
Of course I took a few pictures of our little trip and I hope you enjoy them.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Shakespeare Ghost Town, Lordsburg, NM
Shakespeare Ghost Town is the remains of a pioneer southwestern town. From a small settlement on the stage and emigrant trail to California. It grew in 1870 with a silver strike and the diamond swindle to a town of considerable size, around 3,000 people under the name of Ralston City.
In 1879 other mine promoters changed the name of the town to Shakespeare, in the Bard's name and under this name prospered as a mining camp until the 1893 depression.
For more information about the Ghost Town check out their web site.http://www.shakespeareghostown.com/
In 1879 other mine promoters changed the name of the town to Shakespeare, in the Bard's name and under this name prospered as a mining camp until the 1893 depression.
For more information about the Ghost Town check out their web site.http://www.shakespeareghostown.com/
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Wilcox Gun Fight Reenactment
Today a group of cowboys held a reenactment of some old gun fights in front of Rex Allen and Marty Robins museums. They were good but it would have been more enjoyable if the wind hadn't been so high. It made it hard to hear what they were saying. I guess that's the reason the show lasted for just thirty minutes.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Historic Willcox, Arizona
Willcox, Arizona was founded in 1850 and was mostly a cattle ranch country for many years. The ranchers had to deal with drought, high winds and the raids from Cochise and the Chiricahua (pronounced Cheer-a-cow-a) Indians.
One of the most famous ranchers was Henry Hooker. He owned the ranch where Wyatt Earp left Doc Holiday when he was ill during the Earp, Clanton vendetta. Of course Doc didn't stay there very long and joined Wyatt in the gun fights.
Willcox is also the home town of Rex Allen the star of many western movies back in the late 40's to mid 50's. His faithful horse KoKo is buried across from the Rex Allen museum and upon his death Rex was cremated and his ashes were spread over KoKo's grave.
Willcfox is not too far from Tombstone, "The Town Too Tough To Die", several times a week they have the reenactment of the "Gun Fight At The OK Corral". This is a must place to visit. Also close by is Cochise Stronghold. It's rumored that Cochise and his horse are buried somewhere in the Stronghold but no one knows where. Close by is the Chiricahua National Monument. It's a11,985 acre "Wonderland of Rocks" with incredible rock spires, stone columns and balanced rocks.
One of the most famous ranchers was Henry Hooker. He owned the ranch where Wyatt Earp left Doc Holiday when he was ill during the Earp, Clanton vendetta. Of course Doc didn't stay there very long and joined Wyatt in the gun fights.
Willcox is also the home town of Rex Allen the star of many western movies back in the late 40's to mid 50's. His faithful horse KoKo is buried across from the Rex Allen museum and upon his death Rex was cremated and his ashes were spread over KoKo's grave.
Willcfox is not too far from Tombstone, "The Town Too Tough To Die", several times a week they have the reenactment of the "Gun Fight At The OK Corral". This is a must place to visit. Also close by is Cochise Stronghold. It's rumored that Cochise and his horse are buried somewhere in the Stronghold but no one knows where. Close by is the Chiricahua National Monument. It's a11,985 acre "Wonderland of Rocks" with incredible rock spires, stone columns and balanced rocks.
Jerry Being Held Hostage
Henry Hooker's Ranch House
Grave Of Warren Earp, Wyatt's Youngest Brother
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