History, art, stairs, architecture, mining, breakfast - it's all in Bisbee, and we are looking forward to our first visit.
Back in the truck Friday morning, we learn more about this beautiful area and enjoy the nice drive to Bisbee. This is also Donnie's commute - two days a week since he "retired" over a year ago.
First stop is the BBC for breakfast. Good, not fabulous. The highlight is two darling children celebrating their being adopted that morning - Tessa has lots of kisses for them both :-)
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| Checking another one off the bucket list |
Anna and I walk Erie Street. A bit of nostalgia for most who come to this quirky location, but for Anna it holds an important piece of family history. Her parents married at the Justice Office, then at the church.
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| Looking much the same as when the young couple started their new life together |
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| Lots of auto history |
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| Keeping a classic alive |
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| Mom and I had malts at our local SoCal "five and dime" many years ago |
We drive by Donnie's office and then on to the small border town of Naco. I'm surprised to see the Wall is made of recycled metal panels from the military base. It looks like someone slapped it together with baling wire - not at all what I pictured. Check out the RV park near the 18-hole golf course and head back to Bisbee.
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| This is the best we could do? |
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| Well kept secret with access to nearby adventures |
Several people have stayed at the RV park above the Lavendar Pit in the center of Bisbee. Our guides point out the large crack in the hill above the park, explain that it has grown wider in the last year, and make us promise we will never stay there. So I pass on this warning to you as well!
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| Lavender Pit - pretty name, ugly pit |
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| Whipping winds throughout the day |
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| RV park below and to the left of this expanding crack |
In Bisbee the guys drop Anna and I off to explore the main street architecture and shops while they drive the higher streets above town.
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| Love the old storefront displays |
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| Detailed older signs |
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| Funky newer art |
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| Wonderful exterior architecture |
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| Lovely interiors |
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| Dozens of galleries |
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| A thousand stairs |
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| Climbed by hundreds of hikers every October |
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| Well known theater |
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| Little known old morgue building |
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| Our limo comes to pick us up |
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| Goodbye to Bisbee for now |
Dinner in downtown Tombstone at the Longhorn Saloon is exceptional and Donnie and Anna know (literally) every person who comes in the door - and all the staff!
Friday night brings high winds and low temps, and it is just over 40 degrees as we head out to the Wonderland of Rocks in the morning.
The storms surround us as we cross the plains.
We climb as we enter the Chiricahua National Monument, and soon there is snow on both sides of the road and into the hills. The rock formations are spectacular with the added white. Our hosts are really outdoing themselves with this winter show!
The small VC is very welcoming and warm - just the walk across the parking is freezing. We enjoy the displays and holiday goodies, and learn the road is closed past the campground. Still, seeing the unique beauty is a real treat and we are not disappointed.
With a birthday party to go to, we make our way back on a different route with a few historical stops. The skies switch from bright sunshine to dumping heavy snow.
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| Pierce, AZ |
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| Former Gleeson Jail |
A quick stop by the house shows us the storm has already been here.
Can't remember the last time we went to a little girl's birthday party and it is delightful. She and little brother had a great time - with the wrapping paper of course. And the new little sister is just five weeks old.
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| Happy birthday girl |
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| Happy Nana |
With only 15 amps I didn't want to run the heater so we piled on the blankets. This morning the sun makes it warmer outside than inside.
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| Brrrrrrrr...... |
