The Thing and More
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Day 21: August 14, 2012 The Thing and More |
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For some reason, when I first began to recognize motel chain names, Ramada
Inn was one that I thought was kind of up scale. By the time I got to
using motels with any regularity, Ramada was near the bottom of that
scale. When I went looking for a motel near the Chicago Bar, I found there
was a Ramada about a mile away that got a lot of good reviews. I didn't
pre-book it but I did head there when I reached Tucson. It looked pretty
good and the price was right so I made it my home for a night. The regular
rates weren't bad but they had some sort of special going that got me
this room -- and free beer -- for $52.
Seriously, after I'd registered, the clerk checked the time and told me I
still had time for happy hour; Every day, 5:00-7:00, free beer, wine, and
snacks. Guess I'll have to start looking at Ramadas seriously.
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Whenever Tucson becomes the subject of a conversation, I'll routinely
mention the "snake bridge" as something I remember about the
town. I don't believe anyone, with the exception of Tucson residents, had
any idea what I was talking about. In 2003, I parked and walked to the
snake's head but I recall
it as a fairly long walk that I believe construction would have made even
longer today. I know the 100 degree temperature would have. So I just
grabbed the driveunder shot. Roadside America's got
better stuff.
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In 2003 I stopped at this gas station but it was at night and I hurried
on without seeing The Thing. I've always regretted that. When I got
within twenty miles of it today I decided to correct that mistake. The
Thing is certainly worth the price of admission, one dollar, but it's
surrounded by tons of interesting and historic stuff. Before leaving, I
Tweeted that this "could be the best dollar I ever spent". I
meant it.
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The main attractions at Tombstone's Boothill Cemetery are the three
cowboys who died in the O.K. Corral gunfight. That's their grave in the
second picture. There is a tall wooden marker with all three names plus
individual markers for Billy Clanton, Frank McLaury, and Tom McLaury.
Newman Clanton, Billy & Ike's father, is in a grave next to Billy. He
died in an ambush the same year his son was killed. The grave in the
foreground of the next picture is that of Eva Waters. She died of scarlet
fever at three months of age. I wonder if that's a long lost cousin in the
fourth picture. John Gibson was an ore team driver who fell from his wagon
and was run over by it.
That last two pictures are of the Jewish memorial; Something I wasn't even aware of when I was here in 2003. It's separated from the other graves by a hundred yards or so. It had been completely overgrown before being reclaimed in 1983. The monument was erected in 1984 and since then visitors have placed rocks on it until it is almost covered. No individual graves are marked here. |
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In Tombstone, I parked at one end of Allen Street and walked to the O.K.
Corral. I may have sauntered just a little. Then I walked back to Big Nose
Kate's Saloon for some refreshments. You can get a beer and a shot, just a
shot, or just shot.
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I didn't know there was a tunnel on the way to Bisbee, Arizona, so that
was something of a surprise. A bigger surprise was the town itself. For
some reason, I had the idea that Bisbee was a tiny town with little in it
besides the collection of old campers in the next panel. What a surprise
it was to see the winding streets filled with shops. That this was an
artist stronghold was made clear when I turned down what turned out to be
a dead end and found this nude female warrior above me. She's got a
pretty nice view. The manmade canyon is called
the Lavender Pit. The hole is 850 feet deep,
4000 feet wide, and 5000 feet deep. Lots and lots of copper was extracted
from it between 1917 and 1974. The circular buildings were once part of
something called a "concentrate thickener".
ADDENDUM: Oct 12, 2018 - While editing this page to correct a link, I found myself contemplating the picture of what I've called a female warrior. I may have just really liked the near silhouette appearance of the picture or I may not have yet encountered the magic of HDR. Regardless of the history, I've produced another version which offers a better view of some of the warrior's finer features. |
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Pictures of the Shady Dell had probably given me my completely wrong
view of Bisbee but I got another surprise once I was actually there. There
are ten vintage campers here. The oldest was made in 1947; The newest in
1959. All are for rent. Actually, all are rented. I looked into staying
here on this trip but their website showed everything booked solid until
the middle of September. I knew the diner had been closed for some time
and I wasn't surprised that the office was closed with a "No
Vacancy" sign on the door. The surprise came from seeing not one
human in the campground. There were a couple of cars inside the fence and
a fellow sitting in a car in the parking lot when I pulled up. He was
talking on his phone and, as I got out of my car, I heard him say,
"There's nobody here." Then he drove off. Strange but just one
more Bisbee surprise.
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I've wanted to stay here ever since I saw a picture of the lobby. I called
and booked my room last night. Check out the
carved door. And yes, the pachinko game, or whatever it is, is indeed in
my room. The Hotel
Gadsden was built in 1907 and rebuilt, after a fire, in 1929. I hope
to get some better lobby pictures when the sun comes up.
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