Stonehouse's Annual Visit

This weekend famed writer, part-time comedian, and good friend Andy came to visit us.  It was exactly one year ago when he last ventured into the desert to stay with us.  Last year, he knew as much about Tucson as we did, so we shared our knowledge and toured the area.  

 

 This year, we met up at Hotel Congress downtown for some drinks.  

 

 We enjoyed some drinks on the patio...

 

 and explored downtown a bit...

 

  before heading to the Trident Grill for dinner.  

The place was packed. 

 They had the U of A game on, so we could watch them try to come back after their total spanking... but it was not to be.

The next morning we hit the road.  First stop, Tombstone. 

 

 

 

 

Andy trying to figure out how to find loose women and beer, and the madam who was no help at all... for the loose women anyway.

Lots of people in character. 

  I like the Cowboy's outfits with the red sash. The Cowboy's were outlaws from Texas back in Wyatt Earp's day. They even had wild west shows in the middle of the street.

 

 

Sheriff Stonehouse keeping the citizens of Tombstone safe.

The Arizona Rangers checking out the show in the middle of the street. 

  We heard one of the characters say to the REAL AZ Rangers, "What was that?" The Ranger replied, "Wasn't that part of the show?" Shorty after they went to talk to them. Hummm.... very interesting.  

Jason's got his guns up outside Big Nose Kate's Saloon. Big Nose Kate, was the long-time companion and common-law wife of fabled gambler and gunfighter Doc Holliday in the American Old West. 

Guess Jason will have to leave his gun outside

 

 The entertainment pulled his gun on me as I took his photograph!

"The Boothill" burger... yum!! Jason had “Goldie’s Famous Over-Stuffed Reuben” and the Marshal came by our table to inform him that THAT Reuben is better than Viagra. Oh my! 

 Helldorado, a nickname for Tombstone, Arizona (and variation of El Dorado) created in the 1880's by a disgruntled miner who wrote a letter to the Tombstone Nugget newspaper complaining about trying to find his fortune and ending up washing dishes.

 

 

"Whore down and Flooze up!" I have my new saying now. Thank you. Prostitution was legal in Tombstone as long as the proper city license for the business of "House of Ill Fame" was purchased. Revenue collected from the sale of these licenses was, for many years, the sole source of financial support for Tombstone's schools. Although considered to be a profession of sin, large contributions helped to build area churches, and during times of illness, the parlor houses not only housed the sick, but the girls provided their care.

Next stop Bisbee. 

 The community was founded in 1880 and named after Judge DeWitt Bisbee, a financial backer of the Copper Queen Mine. This Old West mining camp proved to be one of the richest mineral sites in the world, producing nearly three million ounces of gold and more than eight billion pounds of copper, not to mention the silver, lead and zinc that came from these rich Mule Mountains.

 

 

 

 It's a very artsy town.  We walked around a bit, but mostly just drove through.  

Border Wars... LIVE! The officer on the right kept asking us, "Everyone is a citizen?" and looked in the backseat at me several times. Should have been eyeing the driver. UMMM... ANDY?  Are you a citizen? Blame Canada.  Ha ha ha!