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Coat Rock
One of the rest stop areas had many wild rock formations. I liked this one. I thought it looked like several coats were draped over a big stone.December 31 We took it easy today. Had a leisurely breakfast and then drove on to Benson, AZ. The land is really changeable around here. We drove through one section where the rocks were black. I decided it must have been a volcano area at one time and the rocks were the result of a lava flow. Another area was full of huge boulders all tumbled about and stacked atop one another. There was a nice rest stop area there. Good thing! It allowed me to get some pictures. After we got to the RV park in Benson, we decided to stay put this evening since it is New Year's Eve. I went over to Dan and Joy's RV and we brought in the New Year together.
January 1—Happy New Year from Arizona! We went touring today, going first to the little mining town of Bisbee. It reminded me of Globe, the town in central Arizona that I visited last year with friends. The mining has played out, but the mining strips could still be seen. The town is an artsy place with a lot of people dressed like hippies in colorful clothes. There were galleries and clothing stores with
Gator House
I wondered if this home owner was a fan of the U of Florida Gators! tie-die outfits. The houses were sometimes painted in bright colors and built on the sides of the hills. Their city administration building looked like a church, except the sculptures were of miners. It was a very picturesque town. There was a big Victorian looking hotel and one of the buildings used to be a large brewery, famous in the area. I saw picturesque steps and doors that were interesting. It was a fun place to look around. We saw several cars that was wildly decorated and painted. And for all my friends in Florida who are Gator fans (the University of Florida) I took a picture of a house painted in their colors.
While touring we also drove to the town of Tombstone, the “town too tough to die.” Our first stop was at the Tombstone Cemetery. I'm not totally sure the cemetery is real, since there is an admission fee to see it, but it certainly looks like there are graves there of people who once lived in the town. There are all sorts of ethnic and cultural names, including Oriental and Hispanic ones. The three men killed in the gunfight at OK Corral are buried there. The
Bronze Doors
These doors were not on a church, but the city administrative building in Bisbee. cemetery is located on a hill with quite a view. It is well kept and very peaceful.
After touring the cemetery and reading tombstones, we drove on down the hill into town. What a picturesque place! The people there have kept it as much like the old West as possible. Many of the merchants even dress in period costumes. I was told that the daily gunfight is now held in a staging area, instead of on main street where it used to be. For “safety” they said, but they also charge admission for it, too. The towns people have to have some way of making a living!! The cowboys roamed the streets however, and worked themselves up for a good scrap! I could imagine the action—just like in the movies.
The town was very clean and a pleasure to visit. We didn't eat there, but it looked like there was a good choice of places. There were also a lot of souvenier shops, some art galleries and stores with Indian art and crafts. I also visited a bar, which held western shows in the evenings. They let me take pictures inside which I appreciated. Tombstone also boasts the
Crazy Car
This car had just about everything on it. I saw two more similar ones in Bisbee. world's largest rose bush. Again, there was an admission fee and since it is too early in the year for it to be blooming, I didn't bother to pay. Maybe someday I will go back at the right time.
Tombstone is not on the Interstate which makes it a side trip for travelers, but I thought it was well worth it!
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Glenda
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Boy, Bisbee has changed since I was there many, many years ago. I have always wanted some Bisbee Blue Turquoise. It was terribly expensive at that time, so never did get any of it. Maybe someday. They were still doing the gunfights on the street when I was in Tombstone. Lots of changes. Those rocks surely do look like coats! How interesting. Am looking forward to reading the next entry and seeing your great pictures.