A Tale of Two Towns - Tombstone, AZ

On the Road to Tucson and Tombstone

It's with some regret that we leave Organ Pipe as it was such a beautiful place and we had a great time there. Still the road beckons us onward to Tucson and Tombstone.

Kit Peak Observatory

Coming into Tucson

with lots of churches.

After picking up supplies in Tucson, we head south towards Tombstone.

Decoration on overpass

Holly - your next trailer awaits you after Ron & Reba get the Burn Ward

Tombstone

"The town too tough to die."

Unfortunately, we did not get off on the right foot at first. Twice we were given the wrong directions to the RV park - Tombstone RV Park and Resort. You'd think a business that wanted to stay in business would make it easy for customers to find it.  Also, they told us over the phone this park was within walking distance to town... it is, if you don't mind hiking a few miles along a busy highway. Once we got set up, I started laundry and one of the machines failed in mid cycle. The others would only wash on cold water. Needless to say we cut our stay short and won't be coming back.  However, the beauty of the Internet is being able to extract revenge by leaving bad reviews on RV Park Reviews.

The next day we pack up and spend a few hours checking out the town.

Our Navion IQ parked beside the Courthouse

The mayor's home (no kidding!)

Tombstone greeter

The streets of historic Tombstone really do look like an old western town straight out of a Hollywood stage set.

Many horse drawn carriages await tourists' dollars

Gunfighter checks his cell phone before the next performance

Mule drawn carriage in front of the infamous OK Corral

Although there are many activities offered for tourists to do in Tombstone (for a fist full of dollars), we decide there are really only a few that are worthwhile:

1. The Bird Cage Theatre - which remains in the most authentic condition and houses an extensive museum
2. The Tombstone Epitaph - the "West's most famous newspaper" museum (FREE)
3. The Courthouse, which also houses a museum
4. Boothill Cemetery (FREE)  which we missed

Peter at the entrance of the Bird Cage

Barker just inside giving an overview of

one of many bullet holes left from gun fights.

In its prime as rich silver mining town, Tombstone offered many entertainments to those who had money to spend, such as...

Gambling & whiskey

music & women

and of course, a pot to piss in.

However, hanging around Tombstone could be hazardous to one's health.

The hearse buggy

Sign prop from the Hollywood movie

You wouldn't want to end up here.

The Epitaph really is a fun stop and has an interesting history of its own.

Inside the Epitaph

Type setting trays

The Courthouse also has a good story to tell.

Tombstone Courthouse

Iron shackles

The gallows where seven unfortunate souls found their demise.

Looks like court's adjourned, so it's time to move on.

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

On the Road to Organ Pipe

After winding our way through Anza-Borrego, we end up back on I-8. It's surprising to see all the green field of crops (rice included!) surrounding El Centro. Then we spot a large water tank illustrating the fact it's below sea level, making it relatively easy to siphon water off the Colorado river via canals to El Centro. No wonder the mighty Colorado is but a mire trickle by the time it reaches Sea of Cortez. 
We pass a section of the old two lane road. It immediately brings back memories to each of us of traveling with our families by car when we were kids.  In those days it was the custom to attach a canvas water bag to the front of the car for the radiator or to drink in case of an emergency. I mostly remember being extremely hot (cars weren't air conditioned then) and BORED.  My brother and I constantly fought in the back seat. My poor mother tried to engage our interest in road games.  One was trying to find a license plate on passing cars from the most different states, another was counting the cars on the long freight trains to find the longest one. Needless to say, crossing deserts is much easier and more comfortable now.

Section of old highway

Beginning of a freight train pulling

flatbeds with containers instead of box cars.

As we cross over into Arizona, we're immediately aware of a much larger presence of the Border Patrol than in California.  In fact, there are so many stops, they become routine and we stop counting them. They do love the Border Patrol in Arizona.

Border into Arizona

Border Patrol stop #2

Border Patrol stop #4

Organ Pipe National Monument

The terrain becomes much more interesting as we enter the Organ Cactus National Monument.  In fact, scenes of old western movies staring John Wayne instantly come to mind. Even though we don't have any hook ups we love our campsite.  Peter's installation of new solar panels is working really well and our site only costs us $6/night.  Plus it's really beautiful in the park.  What's there not to like? 

Road through Organ Pipe

Our campsite

After getting settled we take the nature trail that overlooks the campground. At the top of the ridge are wonderfully clear vistas.

Vista looking east from the top of the Nature Trail

True to the park's name, it does have its share of organ pipe cacti, that come in a variety of different forms.

Straight organ pipe cactus

and knobby piped.

Of course not all the cacti in the park are organ pipes.

Jumping Cholla with lots of spines to be aware of while hiking

Many are very beautiful, especially when in bloom.

Ocotilla

Then there's the might Saguaro cactus that has come to symbolize the west. They are so intriguing, it's hard not to take pictures of them.

in the late afternoon sun,

posing for a postcard,

or doubling for a space alien.

Not all desert plants are cacti. The Palo Verde (green tree) is quite common. It sheds its leaves whenever the weather's too harsh and relies on the chlorophyll in its bark to process sugars.  

Palo Verde tree

with green bark.

This part of the Sonoran Desert hosts a large population of animals and birds.

Peter captures a jack rabbit with his camera.

Pack rat on display in the Visitors Center

Bird's nest in a Saguaro

Late in the afternoon of our second day in the park, we start on a hike to an old abandoned mine. I return before reaching the mine, but Peter presses on and takes the following photos.

Mining equipment

Ruins of the miners' house

Although most of the mine shafts have been filled in, one is still open and provides a home for bats.

Open mine shaft

which is now a bat cave.

The tops of the surrounding mountains turn red as the sun sets

The ending to a wonderful day

... and a neighbor's froggy flag dances in the breeze.
We had a great time here and plan to return some day to explore more of the park.