Arizona Desert Museum

The Desert Museum is a mixture of vegetation, insect life, as well as animal and bird sanctuaries. Some of the animals are contained outdoors in a habitat type environment (mountain lions, long horned goats, wild boars, coyotes, etc.) One netted area contained hummingbirds that flew all around us. The butterfly museum was a bevy of activity. Trails enable you to visit these animals and the vegetation in the open desert setting.

Nick took this photo of the hummingbird sitting in its nest. It is one of the best shots he's ever taken and we will be making a print of this for the wall. It was an incredible sight to be five feet from her. She was not bothered by the crowds at all.

Sabino Canyon

Our friends highly recommended hiking in this canyon. We were stunned by its beauty and contradictions between desert and lush vegetation. The tram takes you to the top of the mountain and stops four times along the way if you choose to walk a portion. We rode to the top and hiked over three miles to the bottom. I have a large stick with me as there were numerous and detailed instructions about what to do if confronted by a mountain lion. Yikes!! I spent the first twenty minutes looking for them before I finally relaxed.

This is one of the many nooks to enjoy when you leave the trail. Breathtaking!

This is the main trail (a paved road) for chickens like us. Many people leave the "safe area"and wander through the very rough trails. Big sticks required!

The photo of the rocks in the river bed is Nick's attempt to imitate Ansel Adams. You could spend hours photographing the scenery. Is that Jennifer Anistan sitting by the river?

B&B Cactus Farm in Tucson

What a special treat to find this farm and the cacti in bloom. Numerous greenhouses were filled with varieties I've never seen before. The sheer height of some was incredible. An outdoor garden greets you as you enter, setting the desert mood. Spikey but beautiful. The choice of Southwestern pots was overwhelming. I wanted them all!!

Tombstone, Town of Outlaws and Lawmen

Tombstone is where time stood still and men wore chaps. Cowboys, stagecoaches, saloon girls, and lots of guns. The dirt streets and clapboard sidewalks truly gave you a sense of life back in the days of the Wild West. It is a thriving tourist spot. I had my picture taken with Wyatt Earp's brother. We watched the shootout at the O.K. Corral.

Nick almost bought a super cowboy hat but had second thoughts. How many times will he be in Tombstone (which is about the only place you don't stand out wearing a cowboy hat)? I think I'll get him a pair of tight leather chaps for Christmas. I don't understand how they ever went out of style.

Bisbee & The Copper Mine Tour

The sight of Bisbee cascading down the mountain

is spectacular. It reminded me of many places in

Greece. The streets are narrow and steep. Every hippie who refused to change with the times is in Bisbee and he brought at least one if not two dogs with him. A small town terribly disabled by the recession is a haven for characters and anyone with something to sell.

The copper mine tour was quite an experience. I wasn't sure if I was claustrophobic as this is not the trip for anyone suffering from that. After a guided private walk inside the narrow part of the mine, I knew I could handle it.

Looking snappy in my miner's outfit. This is why I don't wear belts. The light weighed a ton because of the battery. My light was the only one that went out as they had forgotten to recharge it. There is NO LIGHT at all if it isn't working.
The temperature in the mine was 42 degrees. We travelled over 1200 feet into the mine on a track. We straddled a narrow padded board. Ouch!!!
We observed traces of various minerals such as copper, silver,etc. At one point everyone was instructed to turn out the lights. Holy Helen Keller!! Didn't care for that. Our guide was excellent in telling what miner's jobs and existence involved from

first days to present. Very brave and dedicated men setting off dynamite charges in the shafts!

Everyone had one burning question. Where is the bathroom? The last picture is of the "honey pot toilet" used by all the men. When it was full, it was hauled to the surface and emptied. The constant smell of it was a planned deterrant to sitting there too long and wasting company time.

What is with two holes? Would you actually sit beside someone while using the facility?

Davis-Monthan Air Force Base

Thousands of planes rest at the Tucson US Air Force Base. Some of the planes, you are not permitted to view as secret technology is still being protected. A guided tour allows the viewing of the older models such as jets, helicopters, huge transport planes, boomers and many others. Thousands of them lie in many fields as far as the eye can see. A lot of tax dollars have been spent for your viewing pleasure. There is also an enormous scrap yard cemetery were old planes go to die. Parts are salvaged as well.

Pima Air and Space Museum

We spent an entire afternoon touring the museum. Numerous indoor and outdoor exhibits filled thousands of acres. Planes from as early as a replica of the Wright Brothers were on display as well as some of the latest planes. We had the names but I threw it away trying to keep a clean RV. Hundreds of planes and an aero space exhibit kept you in awe of the accomplishments over the years. The history of the World War 2 planes was particularly interesting as well as the prisoner of war stories. I have only posted pictures of some of the more unique exhibits such as the smallest plane and helicopter.