Tuesday March 19th - Kitt Peak Observatory

During the day we did some catch-up tidying and planning etc and headed out late afternoon toward Kitt Peak, the summit of which is home to the most diverse collection of telescopes in the world, run by many different organizations. The observatory runs night viewings which we booked a few weeks ago, and we were quite lucky to have good weather, although it was very cold at the summit when the sun went down. the drive up was quite an excitement and at times we clung to the mountain edge, on a small road and Janice was leaning in toward the centre of the truck feeling rather nauseous.. (it gave her 'the willies'). We arrived before sunset and were treated to a packed meal, which was very edible (turkey on croissants, cookies, fruit etc). We were then split up into three groups of a dozen or so and each group were treated to amazing sunset views before dark, followed by a short lecture and briefing on the night sky. We then went outside for some star gazing using binoculars and charts, before heading up to a telescope. Were privileged to see several distant nebulae, open and closed clusters, Jupiter and the grand finale view of the moon. It was truly amazing. We had been warned that we would have to go down the first mile back down the mountain with no headlights. I had giggled nervously at the 'joke', but it was not a joke. 15-20 cars following one brave guide for over a mile down the mountain.  Funnily enough it wasn't so scary in the dark.  Went through another border patrol on the return to camp, and were told we were supposed to carry our passports, but we didn't cross any borders, so we believe it was just a slow night and they like a little intimidation to brighten their long night's watch. We have done some research and there is no such requirement. These border patrols are not at the border with Mexico, they are set up several miles from the border and are just checkpoints, looking for illegals etc. Anyone wanting to see the view from the on site webcam go to http://www.noao.edu/kpno/kpcam/index.shtml

VARIOUS PHOTOS OF THE TELESCOPES AND SUNSET.

Monday March 18th - Tombstone, AZ

Mon Mar 18th- Tombstone
Well pardner, we headed out on out 70 mile drive to Tombstone. Checked out the OK Corral, and saw a reenactment of the gunfight/showdown between the Earp brothers (Wyatt, Morgan and Virgil) with Doc Holiday, and  the Clantons with the McLeurys. 

From top left clockwise, Virgil Earp, Wyatt Earp,  Doc Holliday, Morgan Earrp

Gallows at the Tombstone Courthouse Museum

Love the 1884 ans 1886 diary entries of a Tombstone resident.

Ride 'em cowboy .. foolin around!

Tombstone courthouse

Photo of Geronimo and his warriors

Last known photo of Geronimo

Wyatt Earp's diagram of the gunfight.

In the Okay Corral

Actual site of the gunfight (models to show positioning)

Plaque showing more info

Great looking cowboy!!

Derek outside of jail... and glad to be free!!

Rare original woman's side saddle!!

Had a great lunch with live music at "Big Nose Kate's Saloon" (she being Doc Holliday's girl).
The town still preserves its old west image and we were at the scene of the fight at 3rd and Freemont. The museum was very cool, with old certificates, wanted posters, costumes and the history of the town from its mining strike, through the Wild West to the "town that will never die" and of course a few guns. At Boot Hill cemetery, there were many graves from 1879 to 1882 from gunfights (including the Clantons and McLeury's), murders, lynchings, disease, Indians,  and even one that said "natural causes". Guess that was rare!
We then took the scenic route back to Tucson after we passed through the border patrol with their sniffer dogs. Set up randomly on the highway.
The wide open valleys, rolling mountains and panoramic vistas still amaze us.

Tacky but effective!!

View from the graveyard

Clanton and Mcleury graves from the gunfight.

Fri Mar 15th - El Charro & Suquaro National Forest.

Decided to head into Tucson for lunch at a Mexican Restaurant that according to the website:  "Established in 1922, El Charro Café of Tucson, Arizona is The Nation's Oldest Mexican Restaurant in continuous operation by the same family. Featuring traditional Northern Mexico-Sonoran style and innovative Tucson-style Mexican Food, El Charro Café is truly as Gourmet Magazine wrote: "A Taste Explosion"".
We tried the Carne Seca (shredded beef dried in the Sonora desert sun) with Mexican rice, beans and corn tortillas and a Mexican beer we like ... Modello Negro.

Enjoying views of Sequaro Nat Forest

We then headed in the mountains and through the next valley, all part of the Suquaro National Forest. Our journey ended up on a deserted dirt mountain road, where we passed through huge fields of massive cacti, and breathtaking views of mountains. The scenery here never ceases to amaze. We took a few photos but we really, our photos can never do justice to the amazing panoramic vistas we have been treated to. During our trip today we passed the Old Tucsan movie set where hundreds of western movies have been filmed from the 1940's to today. We may take a trip to actually go in one day and have a tour, as it does look intriguing, if not a little 'touristy" (a la pioneer village with a cowboy flavour!!)

Desert Flora and Fauna

Still loving the WIDE variety of cacti

No ... I am there to take a photo, not relieve myself!!!

Unusual sign for today!

Driving along

Sick of Cactus photos yet? LOL

Trying some artistic shots!

Looking at the Rincon Range taken from the Tucson Range with Tucson City in the valley

Another 'artistic' shot.

Tucson in the valley

Sunset out of car window on way home

Stunning Sunset taken through side view mirror reflection

 

Thursday Mar 14th - Bike Tucson

Derek, Bob and Sarah, water break

Geeky but happy riding

Aviation Way Bicycle path, into Tucson.

We were originally going to wander round the street sale they were having in the RV Resort and then do catch up, but wandering around we saw a few people togged out in their cycling gear and on inquiry they were cycling into downtown Tucson, having lunch and cycling back. So we bombed back to our 'condo' and clambered into our cycling gear and we were off!! 10 of us headed into Tucson. This city is VERY bike friendly and most of the way we were tootling along dedicated bike paths, and any roads we were on had bicycle lanes at the side. It was about 91-93 degrees (f), but it only felt hot when we had to stop for traffic lights etc. There is little to no humidity here in the Sonora desert. We made it to a pub patio and had a great lunch, then tripped through the University of Arizona campus and then back to the RV site. By the time we got back we were ready for a swim. The ride was 44km and the return journey was quite hot. So we changed into our swim suits and headed for the pool.... AAAHHHHH!! I think our sighs of ecstasy raised a few eyebrows amongst the sunbathers, but we didn't really care at that point. Another lovely day in this lovely city.

Lunch at 'Bens' pub

Striking a pose on U of Arizona campus

Wed Mar 13-Pima and Space Museum, Tucson

Wed Mar 13th - Pima Air and Space Museum, Tucson

Tiny little plane.. but it flew.

An old ' US Thunderbirds' plane

Nuclear Bomb - hmmmm!

Plaque for Nuclear Bomb

Took a trip to the Pima Air and Space Museum and took the optional visit to the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, where they have a 'bone yard'.  According to the website "Pima is one of the largest air and space museums in the world, and the largest non-government funded aviation museum" There are "more than 300 aircraft and spacecraft including many of the most historically significant and technically advanced craft ever produced, both from the United States and throughout the world"  We did not visit the hangar where the 'space' exhibits were housed as we had recently visited the Houston (Johnson) Space center and didn't feel this would add much to our experience.  The Davis-Monthan Air Force Base visit involved boarding a large bus for the trip from the museum over to the base . According the the Air force base website The  AMARG  was set up as follows :   "Immediately after World War II, the Army's San Antonio Air Technical Service Command established a storage facility for B-29 and C-47 aircraft at Davis-Monthan AFB. Today, this facility is the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (309 AMARG), which has grown to include more than 4,400 aircraft and 13 aerospace vehicles from the Air Force, Navy-Marine Corps, Army, Coast Guard, and several federal agencies including NASA"  

All lined up at the 'boneyard'

Apparently 25% of the planes will never fly again and are used for parts to keep others flying. Many countries store planes here in the dessert as the humidity is so low (1-5% year round) and this helps preserve the planes. They spray the cockpits and noses of the planes with latex (you can see it on the photos). Most of the planes stored can be readied for flight within 48 hours.  
We had a great day and after dinner a couple (Jim and Kathleen) from the resort (from St. Thomas, Ont) came and joined us for some cheese and wine. Had a fun evening.

Janice's Favourite plane, used to transport parts for spacecraft.. and launching equipment, which are too big for regular aircraft to carry. (the one in front shows how big the plane is)

More lined up at the Boneyard