Tombstone AZ - a little history, a little "cheese"

I was in Tucson recently (work trip) and decided to drive down to Tombstone since I had a couple of hours to kill the first day.  From Tucson, I took I-10 to Rt 80 (near  Benson).

As I got near Tombstone, I encountered a border patrol station - it was set up for traffic headed the opposite direction as me.  It seemed odd to me to have a station that far from the border (40 miles or so) but the following day I saw a news report that they found a huge stash of cocaine in the trunk of a car (drug sniffing dog found it) at the border station. 

Tombstone was originally called "Goose Flats". Ed Schieffelin was a prospector who, when he decided to explore southern Arizona in the late 1800's, was told by his friends that he'd only find his tombstone (it was Apache territory). He discovered silver and named one of the mines "Tombstone". It later was adopted as the community name.


Tombstone is a tiny little town. The sidewalks are made of wood - I assume to replicate what they were like in the "olden days".  The fact that they were screwed down, like you'd see on a deck, made them look a little less than authentic.

you can take a tour of the town in a stagecoach

When I got there they were just beginning to "recruit" tourists to see the shoot-out re-enactment.  There were gunslingers in the street.


For you "Tombstone" fans, can you guess who is who?

 For $10 I got to go into a walled off area to see the show.  This is the "cheesy" part - frankly I wouldn't recommend going to see this - not because of the price but because it was just a very commercial way of making some money.  The replica of the OK Corral was just a gravel lot with a fake set of storefronts.  There were metal bleachers to sit on while you watch the "show".  My tip - skip this show and rent the movie.

I did enjoy walking around the little town.  Lots of shops.  One interesting saloon.  Lots of funny signs.

A stop at Boothill Cemetery was a must





The best part about the trip was the drive back to Tucson.  Instead of driving back on Rt 80, I took the scenic route - 82 to 83.  The scenery was spectacular.  Made me wish I was on my Harley. 



I encountered a second border patrol station on Rt 82 out in the middle of nowhere.  It was almost dark. At this point I was thinking that if I plan a Harley trip through this area, I wouldn't want to do it solo.  The border patrol agent was very nice.  I asked him how close I was to the border and he told me about 30 miles.  I just wanted to make sure I hadn't taken a wrong turn somewhere along the way.

Found a great little steakhouse in Sonoita (where 82 intersects with 83) - The Steak Out, where your menu is printed on a brown paper bag.  Great food, casual atmosphere.  I'd go back (actually I did go back - repeated the whole trip with my 2 co-workers later in the week).

If you're in the southern part of Arizona, take the drive.  Its a beautiful area.  Tombstone was small but fun to visit - especially if you've seen and enjoyed the movie!

Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park, Arizona's smallest state park

Going batty in Austin

This visit to Austin was the first time I was there at the same time as the bats (I'm not going to get into the history of the bat migration to Austin except to say they migrate in from Mexico when it gets warm enough...and then when it starts cooling off, back they go to Mexico). 

I should have done some pre-visit research.  Instead, Kellie (a co-worker) and I headed to the bridge and just started asking other people questions like:
-what time will they start coming out? Consistent answer - "at dusk".  So we had to wait a little while

-what's the best location to see them? Different answer from everyone we asked.  Someone said "under the bridge" so we headed down the steps.  Kind of interesting down there. Some pretty views, lots of joggers, some bikers, lots of dogs with their humans along with other "tourist" types doing the same thing we were doing...bat hunting.

You could actually smell the bats (or something) down there.  Not horribly unpleasant, but a strong odor.  I am not certain of this, but I'm guessing the grooves under the bridge are where the bats go during the daylight hours.  What exactly is the stain along the edges of these openings?

We were warned that if we stayed under the bridge, it was likely we'd get bat droppings and maybe urine on us.  Should have brought an umbrella. 

We saw this sign down there.  We figured it was telling us something important...but its been a long time since my high school Spanish class.

Then we found the translation


hmmm...is a "grounded" bat one that is laying on the ground?

 From there, we decided to head back up to the top of the bridge.  There we were told to stand on the east side of the bridge (not sure why).   Kellie googled "bats in Austin" and a site suggested going to the end of the bridge to the "Statesmen" property - on the grass near the river's edge.  I figured some smart person had built a restaurant in a scenic location but when we drove by later, it looked like it must be the local newspaper headquarters.  However, as we're considering whether or not to walk there, Kellie spots a fellow-Razorback fan (she had on the shirt, he had on the hat).

 Nice family - there on vacation with their college kids (none of them UT students).

 Enjoyable conversation...and the next thing you know, here come the bats. Unfortunately I didn't have my "good" camera and I wasn't able to get any good shots since it was getting quite dark.

I think this guy had the best seat in the house...and maybe the best camera.



if you look really really carefully at this photo,  you'll see a huge swarm of bats (hmm....maybe just bees swarm)...but it was dark and this is a little blurry (no tripod which doesn't bode well for a night shot)

 And here are some other "bat fans" (they were everywhere)

It was a fun adventure especially with all of the friendly people hanging around.  I'm going to try it again....but before I do, I will do my homework so I know where to stand. May have to think about bringing the big Canon and a tripod as well.

What's so cool about Austin?

I've been to Austin 3 times in the past year and I look forward to returning.  Why? 

Its pretty, especially the river



Great places to eat.  Seriously,  great food!



lots of these food trailers - everywhere



another food trailer...love the name (didn't try the food....yet)

on South Congress (did eat here...great food, nice/casual atmosphere

if you run out of time to track this down in the city, there's a small one in the airport

Great looking capital building - inside and out

I did wonder why the dome is painted

Looking up into the dome

same view, just zoomed in a little more

Big zoom...and there it is...the Star and "TEXAS"

if you stand exactly in the center of the star and talk (or sing) it sounds like you're using a microphone...but only if you're right in the center

Doorknob - on door of the capital.  What's with all of the stars in Texas?



Some wildlife


I took his photo...he's thinking "awww nuts!)

right down Congress



2 legged wild life....she was only topped by the guy riding his bike in a red thong (which I didn't see, thank you, Kellie)

 Lots of stuff so you can play cowboy (or cowgirl)

so many choices...I can't make one

Austin, I'll be back!

Sturgis - Day 7: Buffalo

It was another great day in South Dakota!  I headed out for the Keystone area mid-morning with a plan to test the helmet mounted video camera.  The plan was to ride to Custer State Park and then Iron Mtn Road.

Ride out was great.  Was hoping to see some buffalo in the park.  When I rode in, I saw a huge herd way off in the distance.  Rode in a few more miles, took a short break to hook up the camera, then turned around and went back the same way.  I'm riding along when suddenly this is what I see next to the road


As you can see, I'm now pulled off the road.  I was headed right along side these big guys and decided that was a wee bit too close



this cowboy was sitting and watching - this is where I pulled off the road. I asked him if it was ok if I just sat there until those buffalo moved and he said sure

 So I sat on my bike and watched the herd head toward where I was parked. 

there were lots of mamas and babies



this guy is one of the reasons I pulled over

I headed on down the road and came upon another herd.  These guys/gals were all heading toward the road

headed toward the road



these guys were starting to run toward the pull-off area where a half dozen bikes were parked

Two guys - I assume park rangers - walked to the middle of the road, each with a long whip

I actually have this on video.  The crack of the whip scared the buffalo and they changed their minds about crossing the road right at this spot



 So they moved down a little ways and then crossed - lots of them running across the road


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you can see some of these big guys are running across the road, some a little slower

 all they wanted to do is get to a new grazing area

last "what to do/see in Sturgis" checked off my list!!