January 29, 2005
Bought Tucson map. Figured that taking the direction element out of the craziness would help. Now just have to contend with the drivers. Uff da! And the sights. In driving around we saw a pink elephant; a leather shop, whose exterior was painted to look like tooled leather; a crosswalk sign that turned red, then blinked red alternating flashes like a railroad sign that hung above the road like a stop light, and a poisonous green building that was the Abracadabra Pet Groomers. We went to the rock show or several of many.
Last week of January through the first weeks of February, Tucson hosts multiple rock shows. Some are retail; others are wholesale. They set up shop at various locations around town such as motels and convention centers. The motels have dealers in rooms on the ground floor so there’s exterior entrance through the sliding glass exterior doors to the various rooms. The show guide is 500 pages of exhibitor info and ads. Then there’s the metaphysical guide to the show which is some 100 pages, highlighting crystals, healing stones, amulets, and singing bowls.
Met up with Boyd and checked mail and e-mail.
January 30, 2005
Found the visitor center and purchased a Tucson passport. For $15 dollars, it is a discount book that gives two for one admissions and other discounts at local attractions. Today we used it to see the Pima Air and Space Museum. Which made it $11.75 for two rather than $11.75 each. We were amazed at the museum. We arrived at 2 pm and left at closing at 5, but we didn’t see it all. What we did see was only scratching the surface for information. It would take a full day at least to read all the information and look at the planes.
January 31, 2005
Spent several hours going through Bookmans used book store where Boyd works.
February 1, 2005
Did laundry. Saw several fighter planes having fun doing acrobatics. Went shopping and found a 99 cent store that carries a wide variety of groceries including produce, lunchmeat, and frozen foods in addition to the usual non-knicknack 99 cent store fare. Picked up Boyd. He joined us for dinner at the fiver. Had nice visit.
February 2, 2005
Had doughnuts at the rec hall. Went to Old Tucson Studios. On the way their we got to see an ironwood tree. At the studios we saw adobe buildings built in the 30s. We went on tour that detailed which buildings were used in various movies. Their steam engine that was seen in Mclintock was not present. It was damaged in the massive fire in 1995, and is out for restoration. Met a couple longhorn cattle. Saw some very melodramatic skits/shootouts including a hanging. Was fascinated with one of their shops that sold various objects made of animal parts–turtle pouches, horn spoons, and coon skin caps, but thought the rest of the shops weren’t as attuned to what the tourists might have interest. The high chaparral set was closed for filming. Some of Little House on the Prairie, Father Murphy, Gunsmoke, Bonanza, Have Gun Will Travel, and The New Maverick Show were filmed there. Rio Lobo, Mclintock, Three Amigos, and numerous other westerns were filmed there.
After touring the studios, we drove back via the scenic route which is a 12 mile narrow twisty paved road through some of the most beautiful saguaro cactus I’ve seen. On the way we looked up on the hill to see a person standing on an outcropping in a black robe. Not sure what the individual was doing. Stopped at a scenic overlook and took pictures. Hiked up the hill to a covered picnic area because we were curious as to what the building was on the side of the hill.
Decided that Tucson has a higher amount of head turning things than most other cities. Since the day of the pink elephant and tooled leather exterior, we have seen a yellow Volkswagen beetle adorned as a mouse, a Ford pinto decorated as a hamburger, a spider web wrought iron gate, numerous murals and a 10' tall metal sunflower.
February 3, 2005
Went grocery shopping for week in Tombstone. Took look at Walmart clearance items. Wandered through a huge Ace Hardware store. Went to the hanger at the Pima Air and Space Museum that we didn’t see. It had been closed for the setting up of the bead show. Got to see planes and beads. Was impressed with the display of military and airline wing shaped pins and badges from all over the world.
February 4, 2005
Went to Tombstone Territories RV park. Just before we arrived we passed a wagon train. After registering, I went out to watch them pass by. Found that the cable tv reception is awful. Tried multiple configurations without improvement. Can get network stations better via antenna.
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