The Webbs' Great American Adventure
July 5, 2010

Tucson, Arizona is certainly not at the top of America's tourist destinations, but it is at the top of my list. My parents brought me here when I was 8 years old to visit some old friends who were named my God Parents when I was born. They took me out of Clay City Elementary for three weeks. I can't remember anything about the school work that I brought along with me on that trip (it was probably a lot of math and I still can't do math), but I remember so many things from that trip. I remember loving Tucson and the surrounding areas. Our friends had a big tall, 100-year-old cactus right beside their front door. I remember seeing an actual Road Runner bird, and thinking it looked nothing like the one on the cartoon.

I was able to duplicate much of my 1978 trip with my kids on our current trip. I took Nolan to one of the world's largest private museums, the Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson. Including the adjacent Bone Yard (scrap parts), there are over 4,000 military, government, private, and even Soviet era planes stretched out over 200 acres in the Arizona dessert. Yes, this was the second air and space museum that we've visited on this trip, but for those who know Nolan, he's a walking military encyclopedia. He knew the details of most of the planes we saw.

Last night we took the van up to Mount Lemmon, which is over 9,000 feet above sea level, to watch the fireworks over the city of Tucson below. What a view!!! When I was there with Mom and Dad there snow on top with people skiing. There was no snow last night, but it was chilly compared to the 100 degree temperatures in the city.

Today we headed south and visited old Tombstone, "The Town Too Tough To Die," and the town that was made famous with Wyatt Earp and the gun fight at the OK Corral in 1881. Going to Tombstone is like walking back in time. Many of the same buildings in the town that captured the spirit of the old west better than any other are still in tact with the original artifacts. If you ever want a taste of Tombstone watch the movies "Tombstone," with Jeff Bridges, or "Wyatt Earp," with Kevin Costner.

Tomorrow we pull anchor and head to San Diego. Can't wait!!!! The kids have never seen the Pacific Ocean.


A portrait with the kids above Tucson, on Mount Lemmon


Laura looking out over the desert southwest surrounding Tucson.


Mount Lemmon


Mount Lemmon


Mount Lemmon


Mount Lemmon


A time exposure at night from Mount Lemmon


Nolan stands in front of a B-29 Super fortress, that actually flew missions over Tokyo in WWII.


The Pima Air and Space Museum is one of the world's largest private museums.


The Streets of Tombstone


We ate lunch in the historic Crystal Palace, with it's original bar.


The Birdcage Theatre was famous in Tombstone, and was featured in the movie "Tombstone."


The Birdcage Theatre was famous in Tombstone, and was featured in the movie "Tombstone."


The original site of the OK Corral gunfight.


Cameron with Wyatt and Morgan Earp. Yea...no joke.


Tombstone


Tombstone


Boothill, the graveyard outside of Tombstone

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