Tucson, AZ (Again, #3)

Well, first the good news -  today gas was $1.31 at Costco and the high temperature was 83 degrees.  What more could you ask for!

Today we decided to take a tour around Tucson.  Started out East to the Saguaro National Park in the hopes that the cactus would be in bloom.  Alas, that was not to be.  But it was still fun and interesting to drive around the park and take a walk through the cactus.  The SNP is a huge park with lots of hiking trails, but there is an eight mile driving loop which gave us a great idea of the various saguaro cactus.  We read in the Visitor Center that it takes almost thirty-five years before they bloom and they can grow to over 100 feet tall.  It's nice that they saved the area because otherwise it would have been developed like the rest of the area around the park. 

After lunch, we drove out to the opposite side of Tucson.  We were looking to go to Old Tucson which is an old move set built back in the 1930's and used for Western's like Tombstone.  Turned out that it was more like a tourist trap.  No, let me rephrase that - it was a tourist trap.  Kind of like Virginia City on steroids!  We decided to pass it by and drove around the Tucson Mountain Park.  There is a road over the mountain through Gates Pass which was really interesting.  The road over the mountains was built in the late 1800's for a cost of $1000 (five miles winding over the mountain and down into the valley).  Try building a road for that price today.  At the top was a scenic view area which had spectacular views in both directions.  There were some rock cabins and fences which had been built in the 1930's by the Civilian Conservation Corps.  As we have traveled around the country, we have seen some great buildings and art done by the CCC.  It was a big effort by the government to put people to work and do some constructive work. 

We have been lucky enough to stay on Davis-Monthan AFB here in what they call a Temporary Lodging Facility.  Primarily designed for families moving into the area, they are available on a space available basis.  Makes it nice because it's like a one-bedroom apartment, with full kitchen, bath, and living room.  Also convenient because the Exchange, Commissary, and golf course are close by.  They fly A-10 Warthogs out of here - they were supposed to be phased out, but the war in the Middle East has given them a new lease on life.  We haven't been to the Graveyard across the street from the base, but we may go there in the next day or two.  However, I think golf is on the agenda for tomorrow.

Hope all is well with everyone.  Take care and enjoy life.