ENJOYING THE ACTIVITIES IN TUCSON

Sunday, March 11 – We went to the Tucson Farmer's Market at St. Philip's Plaza today.

They say there are over 70 booths at this wonderful market. Fresh vegetables, fruits, and delightful baked goods.....yeah, we purchased some cookies and a muffin.

There is goat cheese and goat milk....we purchased the cheese! Delicious!

Fresh peppers and roasted peppers....we liked the roasted peppers! So you see, we enjoyed the Farmer's Market and contributed to the local small businessmen of Tucson.

We hurried home to take advantage of the amazing weather for a hike in the mountains. Our destination was Gates Pass, the same place we enjoyed last night's sunset. There are many nice trails leading up into the mountains and out into the desert. Having hiked the desert several times we choose the mountains for today's hike.

Pretty steep climbs.

We sent several hours hiking from the desert valley up the mountain and actually looked down on Gates Pass the passage between Saguaro National Park and downtown Tucson.

Today we learned that Barrel Cactus always lean to the south.

There were quite a few people out hiking and enjoying the wonderful weather. Fortunately, this is a huge area and we saw very few people on the trails. As the saying goes, after the first half mile of trail, you lose over 50% of other hikers. After the first mile, 75% are gone.

That looked like the case today. Although, on the highest point of our hike on a particular narrow path, we had to scoot over and let a dad and his three kids (I would guess all under 10 years old) pass on their way up the mountain. Guess they start them out young enjoying the outdoors in the Tucson area.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y'all back real soon. Have a great day!

SUNSET OVER TUCSON

Saturday, March 10 – We ventured to downtown Tucson today. Our first stop was the Tucson Farmers' Market at Maynards located at the old Railroad Station. Before we went around back to see all the local products, we had to stop in the old Southern Pacific Railroad Station that now houses Maynards.

The old RR waiting room…just lovely.

Maynards Market & Kitchen have established the first downtown market, and paired it with a restaurant and bar. Maynards Market is proud to stock locally-sourced products, and boasts downtown Tucson’s best wine store. We couldn't pass up the Blueberry Muffin for Paul and Lemon Bar for Marsha. They were DEEEE LIOUS!

With that out of the way, we went to the plaza area and enjoyed the Farmer's Market. The Market  boasts all local and fresh produce, cottage goods and ready-made foods from Maynard’s Market.

Paul enjoying a cup of Cowboy Joe coffee.

Big Skye Bakers has some delicious-looking pastries. Marsha bought one of the items in front of the lady. It was a pastry with grilled onions, peppers and ANCHOVIES. She said it was awesome.

We made several other purchases which helped contribute to the local economy.

Across the street from the Market is Hotel Congress. It became famous in 1934 when members of John Dillinger's gang rented rooms.

The interior is beautiful.

One of three bars.

Since we were downtown, we decided to do a modified version of their historical walking tour of downtown Tucson AKA The Presidio Trail.

Pima County Courthouse was built in 1929 in the Spanish colonial Revival style.

We walked quiet a bit of the downtown area. With a blue line drawn on the walkway and numbers corresponding to the map, they do a great job of leading visitors to each stop.

We then took a ride around the old historic Adobe style homes and buildings. A pretty nice historic district but signs of further improvement on the way.

We enjoyed the beautiful sunshine for the remainder of the afternoon.  Marsha enjoyed her free time by working on yet another pine needle basket. Paul enjoyed a well-deserved nap.  We relaxed away the afternoon anticipating a trip to the mountains as evening approached to view the sunset from the famous Tucson overlook, Gates Pass. It's only a short 30 minute drive up the backside of Tucson Mountain to the pass and overlook. The parking lot was getting full when we arrived.

We have been told not to miss the sunsets at Gates Pass. We found this on the Internet…Gates Pass is one of the most dangerous areas to drive around Tucson. The road is narrow and winds around the edge of a large mountain with just a few feet space between the edge of the road and a deep drop off to the valley below. Because of this driving danger, Gates Pass is not open to commercial and large vehicles over 40-50 feet long.

Anyone who consider driving a 30 foot vehicle along this road is NUTS! There are warning signs all along the road warning NOT to drive RVs or trucks on the road.

We arrived around 6:30, and found a nice spot to enjoy the sunset and watch a WEDDING taking place here in the mountains. A young couple and their small wedding party were exchanging vows here in the mountains. Pretty neat!

As the minister or justice of the peace finished her ceremony and the bride and groom sealed it with a kiss, the many people waiting here on the mountain pass let out a cheer and applause....cute! The young couple gave an appreciative wave to the crowd and headed over to a nearby shelter for a champagne toast.

The sunset was amazingly beautiful.

A look from afar.

Up close and personal.

Another wonderful day in Tucson.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y'all back real soon. Have a great day!

 

 

 

 

AIRCRAFT BONEYARD.

Friday, March 9 – Today we visited the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG) or commonly refereed to as the Aircraft Boneyard. This is the area where old military aircraft are stored here in the Tucson desert. The Military chose this location because of its dry environment, hard pack desert floor, and the presence of the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. The aircraft parked on these storage fields would make the Boneyard the third largest air force in the world. There are currently more than 3000 airplanes stored here. All the planes are Vietnam era or newer. Older aircraft are used as static displays, such as those at Air Bases, or are destroyed. Since 911, it has become very difficult for private citizens, states, or other public groups to obtain retired military aircraft.

There is an area where they are testing which materials are the best for covering stored aircraft.

 

Just about any military aircraft used since the Vietnam War can be found here. B-1 bombers, B-52 bombers, helicopters, F-16, F-14, huge military transport planes like the C5a Galaxy, jump jets as well as unique prototypes which never made it into service.

F14

F106

A3 Sky Warrior

Sky Hawk painted like Russian plane for training.

P2 Neptune

Some aircraft are stored for possible reuse, metal reclamation and others to be stripped for spare parts. You see aircraft in new condition wrapped in protective plastic, planes stripped for parts, and planes in the process of being cut-up and destroyed.

A10 Thunderbolt

Engines ready to be reused.

Planes being stripped for spare parts.

Wings

Paul enjoyed the hour bus tour but was a little disappointed in the tour over-all. He was looking forward to this experience for a long time and it just didn't live up to his expectations for some reason. It might have been because of post 911 security that required we remain on the tour bus at all times.

We chose not to tour the Pima Air & Space Museum today. We may come back, in a day or so, but we've been through several air museums.

Just down the road from these tours is the Saguaro National Park (East). There are two sections of the Park. Our campground is next to the Westside Park, and we toured it a couple days ago and have hiked there almost daily. The East park is very similar in appearance but may have a more dense population of cactus and desert flora. We drove the 8-mile loop stopping often to walk among the cactus.

Paul looks tiny next to this very old cactus.

Looking up that same cactus.

Javelina Rock in the background.

It should be noted that one is not charged for visiting the Westside Park, but a $10 admission is charged for the East park, although with the Senior Pass it also was free. Both Parks are beautiful. We enjoyed driving and hiking in both areas.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y'all back real soon. Have a great day!