Desert Museum

On Thursday, Feb 19 we took a ride up to Tucson and went to the Desert Museum. This was another 2 for the price of 1 special in our Coupon Book, and all that we spoke to that have been there insisted that it was a must do. So, going was a no brainer. We were not disappointed. Going up we decided to go a different way. Instead of taking I 10 up to I 19 and heading out Ajo Way to Kinney Rd, we decided to go up I 10, get off at Speedway Blvd and travel the Gates Pass Rd. Were we ever glad we did. When you get in the vicinity of Gates Pass, signs warn as to the exclusion of all heavy trucks and rv's. Basically just a passenger car only road. And we saw why.

Mary with a Saguaro forest background

Notice all the Saguaro's growing on the mountainside

A look down in to the valley where we are heading. Off to the left is Old Tucson

A look back up the Gates Pass Rd

Gates Pass Rd ends at Kinney Rd. At the stop sign, if you looked to the left, Old Tucson is there. We instead went to the right and headed to the Desert Museum. A picturesque drive of about 4 miles brought us to the entrance.

The ticket says it all.

A look towards the main entrance from the parking lot.

We were so lucky to catch this that day at 10 AM. It was truly awesome display. Amazing how well the handlers work with the birds.

Another Snowbird joining the crowd......

Mary at main entrance with yet another turtle!

We had quite a treat at the main entrance.......

We followed the map and headed right for the Raptor Free Flight, joining a crowd of about 150 people. Sure enough right at 10 AM they started. First bird we saw was a Chihuahuan Raven. This was followed by a Great Horned Owl. Next we got to see a Prairie Falcon, then  a Ferruginous Hawk and lastly a Red Tailed Hawk. The way the handlers worked with the birds was really something to see, especially the Red Tailed Hawk. The bird was allowed to fly "free". We could see it soaring on warm air updrafts. It got so far up and out from our vantage point that one wondered how they would know to come back. Believe it or not, a few hand signals from the trainer/handler and within seconds, the bird we could hardly see in the distance, was perched on the handlers arm. Unbelievable!

Handler working with one  of the birds, woman on the left was describing all that was going on and answering questions.

Great Horned Owl with Handler among the Stag Horn Cactus

One of the Falcons coming in.

Hawk perched and waiting

Javelina Siesta

From the free flight demo, we wandered the trails, following our map. The first thing we came upon was the Javelina area, where we caught a number of them "resting" or as they say down here, they were participating in Siesta.

A couple of Javelinas napping

Docent above Javelina enclosure answering questions and showing off items of interest

We continued along the route........

Our next stop was the Coyote Ramada.......

Mary at the Coyote Ramada

The next stop was an enclosure that contained Mexican Wolves.......

And then it was up to Cat Canyon. This was an enclosure with water, a waterfall, a rock cliff, and cliff face with a shallow "cave". In it was a mountain lion. Unfortunately for us, the big cat was taking a nap and the only thing we could see of him was his huge tail hanging out and over the ledge.

Along the way we found some interesting photo ops. And since cactus' are foreign to Vermont, we took every opportunity to capture the beautiful plants......

Mary giving some perspective to a huge organ pipe cactus.......

Saguaro's

Another Organ Pipe Cactus

Mary amongst the Yucca, Organ Pipe Cactus, and Ocotillo.

One of the last places we visited before calling it a day was the Hummingbird Aviary. Truly impressive what they have done....

Look close and you will see a hummingbird on a nest.....

Another view

And then it was time to call it a day.....we headed back towards the entrance ......and a visit to the gift shop, where we each bought ourselves a shirt to remember the day and the place by. Oh, and don't forget the post cards........

And so ended a wonderful day at the Arizona Desert Museum. We will definitely be back!

Old Tucson

Early February saw us taking another trip up to the Tucson area for a visit to Old Tucson. What an enjoyable day- especially good since it involved our old friends from Butterfield in November, Keith and Dorann our Saskatchewan neighbors. Keith & Dorann have been staying in Casa Grande for the past 2 months and this was a good excuse for the 4 of us to get together again.

Old Tucson is something special.

Entry - notice the surroundings. Desert.

We began our day when we met Keith & Dorann and some friends of theirs from the park at 10 when the park opened.

Michael was our tour guide.

Michael was very good at explaining the history of this place- and what a history it has. Over 300 movies, TV shows, Commercials filmed here. Some that were here and involved with movies include  John Wayne, Michael Landon and Clint Eastwood. Little House on the Prairie filmed 17 episodes here. More recently, the Food Network "bought" the place for a week to film a BBQ session of their Chopped TV show. This was about 2 years ago. The Mission Church has been involved in many films- in its current configuration and after being "remodeled".

Explaining what we are going to see, as well as some of the scheduled events.

We had a pretty good crowd. As well as attentive.

Keith(from the back) and Dorann(from the side). Part of a large Canadian presence that day.

Michaels' tour / discussion lasted about 30 minutes and then we were on our own. Everyone had a schedule and there were events listed to happen every half hour - starting at 11:00 with the last one scheduled for 5:30. The first one we attended was "Sir William Wiley's Miracle Elixir Show". To quote from the schedule: "Step right up and listen close to what this master traveling salesman and his assistant have to offer! Newly improved health and vitality are not guaranteed, but bad jokes and slapstick comedy are. " It was fun and involved a number of audience participants. Next we were off the the Grand Palace Musical Revue......we joined Lady Vivian and her girls for rip-roarin', high kickin', can-cannin' good time!

After a ride on the train and a trip around the perimeter of the park, we headed to Big Jake's BBQ for some lunch.

Keith & Dorann - with Mary in background waiting for the train.

Lunch stop

After lunch, we kind of split up and went our separate ways - there was so much to do and see. Mary and I headed to the 1:00 PM scheduled event - The American Cowboy. It was our old friend and tour director Michael acting as Cookie - master of the chuck wagon, the cookfire, and second in command of the trail drives......

Cookie & the Chuck Wagon

The next scheduled event was Sheriffs of the Old West. Once again, it was Michael, this time in a different role - the town sheriff, as he explained "keepin' the peace in the wild west......

Michael as town sheriff. Note the crude jail in the background.

All around the Old town were signs of what went on here.....

Chinese Alley & Hop Sings Laundry

The sign says it all

Characters from the Stunt Demonstration

At 2:00 we headed to the Historic Mission for the Hollywood Stunt Demonstration. This Mission was described as one that had been in a number of old westerns- in its present form and appearance and after alterations. It in itself had quite a history. This demonstration, to quote the Performance Schedule: " The Old Tucson stuntmen take you behind the scenes for an entertaining look at how stunts are performed. Don't try this at home!"

The Old Mission Church

The Old Marlboro Man ?

Part of the audience

The cast

Audience participation

And then there were the stunts......

stuntmen stuff

All in all, it was a good time. These guys really put on quite a show. And then it was time for us to go. We had Molly back in the trailer and didn't want to leave her too long. Some parting shots of Old Tucson.....

Definitely enjoyed Old Tucson.......