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.......