40plyrod Posted January 3, 2015 Report Posted January 3, 2015 Later this month I'll be going to Arizona for the 1st time. I'll be flying to Tucson and renting a car to visit relatives in their new "digs" in Bisbee. I know there's a rich mining history around those parts and museums to see as well as Tombstone. Are there any "must sees" ? It would also be neat if I could sneak in something car related while I'm in the area. Thanks Quote
TodFitch Posted January 4, 2015 Report Posted January 4, 2015 Kartchner (Sp?) Caverns is a little way south of I-10 southeast of Tucson on, I think, the road to Sierra Vista. I found it pretty interesting. As you mentioned, plenty of old mining all over all of southeastern Arizona. But also some interesting landscape. If I recall correctly, the movie Oklahoma was filmed in the area south of Kartchner Caverns down near Patagonia. Cochise's stronghold has neat rock formations. Tombstone is pretty touristy. I haven't been to Bisbee since a track meet in the 1960s when the mine was still going strong but it has picked up a bit of a reputation for being artistic and trendy now. Are you going to stay at the Shady Dell? http://www.theshadydell.com 1 Quote
Frank Elder Posted January 4, 2015 Report Posted January 4, 2015 Your neck will be so sore by the time you get there.......there are so much old iron on the side every single road...it'll drive you crazy! 1 Quote
40plyrod Posted January 4, 2015 Author Report Posted January 4, 2015 Thanks. I keep my eye open and camera on for the old tin, and will probably check out the Kartchner Caverns down near Patagonia. 1 Quote
40plyrod Posted January 24, 2015 Author Report Posted January 24, 2015 I'm back from my trip to Arizona and thought I'd post some pics for anyone who's interested. I was going to post these over on "from the driver's seat and other images" but, I think that is meant for images taken from an old car and since most of these are taken from my 2014 ford focus rental I'm not sure they would qualify. First off there are a ton of old cars in southern Az, they are everywhere... behind sheds, out in fields, in the woods, etc. my neck did get sore. I was able to talk to the owner of a repair shop/wrecking yard for awhile who had a row of mopar out front and took some pics. (my wife thought I was taking too long so she left me there luckily she eventually came back) Along with the mopars he had a 70's masaritti/ Citroen very different car, factory hydraulic ride height and front wheel drive, inboard brakes and aluminum v6. Quote
40plyrod Posted January 24, 2015 Author Report Posted January 24, 2015 The town of Bisbee is very interesting to anyone who likes architecture. Most of the buildings are from the 1920's and are much the same as they were back then. The guy at the museum said that when you go though the mule pass tunnel into bisbee it's like going back in time and it definitely feels that way. They have a very good tour of the old mine complete with a ride on the mine car 1500 feet into the mountain. Quote
40plyrod Posted January 24, 2015 Author Report Posted January 24, 2015 Slightly south of Bisbee is an area known as lowel. The breakfast club cafe there serves really good food but the street outside is probably the main draw. I never got all the info but all the cars parked on the street belong to the same guy and I was told he was trying to fix up all the buildings. Very close by is the Shady dell motel and dot's diner but it looks like it may have closed down. Quote
40plyrod Posted January 24, 2015 Author Report Posted January 24, 2015 Tombstone was a little touristy but we enjoyed it. We did the tourist thing and saw the shoot out at the ok corral, visited boot hill, ate in a saloon and got our pictures taken as Wyatt Earp and Doc Holiday, but the only souvenir I brought home from tombstone was a couple of old license plates I found in a junk store. I really enjoyed the architecture of the courthouse turned museum, it was exactly the way I would picture an early courthouse. Quote
40plyrod Posted January 24, 2015 Author Report Posted January 24, 2015 (edited) We spent a day at Kartchner Caverns but unfortunately they don't let you take pictures so if you're interested you'll have to see it for yourself and I highly recommend you do. They are very strict about what you can bring in the caverns ( ie. nothing) but I understand and applaud the steps they have taken to preserve this area. The caverns are unbelievable, we chose the throne room tour but there is also the big room which is home to a huge colony of bats. I was also blown away by the temperature and humidity in the caverns but they have done everything they can to ensure the caverns maintain the climate that they started with to continue to promote crystal growth. Edited January 24, 2015 by 40plyrod Quote
TodFitch Posted January 24, 2015 Report Posted January 24, 2015 Looks like you had a great trip. Thanks for the photos! Quote
T120 Posted January 24, 2015 Report Posted January 24, 2015 Looks like you had a great trip. Thanks for the photos! X2 Quote
Niel Hoback Posted January 24, 2015 Report Posted January 24, 2015 Nice trip! I enjoyed it also through your pictures. Quote
1940plymouth Posted January 24, 2015 Report Posted January 24, 2015 Glad you had a good time and thanks for the photos Quote
Frank Elder Posted January 25, 2015 Report Posted January 25, 2015 I dun told ya....lol...sore neck fer sure, After a while you can even get picky about which cars to look at! Quote
BobT-47P15 Posted January 28, 2015 Report Posted January 28, 2015 Nice pics.......look like interesting places..........thanks. Quote
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