We left our mountain paradise campsite and headed for the OK Corral. The last time we were in Tombstone was on our first road trip 10 years ago. Our first stop this morning was Boothill Graveyard. It was originally laid out as a burial plot in 1878. Because of the may violent deaths of the early days, the cemetery became known as Boothill Graveyard. Buried here are outlaws with their victims, suicides, hangings (legal and otherwise), along with the hardy and refined elements of Tombstone’s first days. We had a fun time roaming around and reading the markers along with their stories.
3 Fingered Jack Dunlap - one of a band of train robbers, attempted to rob an express car. He was critically wounded and his friends left him to die. He was found and brought to Tombstone, where he lived long enough to inform on his friends. (Karma dude)
George Johnson - innocently bought a stolen horse and suffered the consequences. (Note to self: Never, ever buy an iphone at night in a back alley)
Mrs Stump - died in childbirth, from an overdose of chloroform, given to her by her doctor. (The world needs more midwives...)
We wandered around town and visited a couple of western shops, but my favorite part was trying my hand with a Ruger Vaquero .45 six shooter. I got 5 out of 6 right thru the heart and the other one pretty darn close. Not bad for an Ol’ lady whose previous experience was at the Disneyland Shooting Gallery. I had no idea guns were so heavy!
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We eventually made it to Bisbee. A cute town that is a cross between Downieville and Ashland. An old copper mining town that is now more bookstores, coffee shops, art galleries and vintage shops. I could easily have spent a few days just hanging here. We were hoping to visit a bean-to-bar chocolate maker, but they are only open on weekends. Such is the life of chocolate makers.
In the middle of nowhere, close to the border between Arizona and New Mexico is the historical monument to Geronimo, the last Apache Chieftain. He surrendered near here on Sept 6, 1886 to General Miles. “The surrender of Geronimo in Skeleton Canyon on that historical day forever ended Indian warfare in the United States.” Love finding these nuggets while wandering the country.
We made it to Pancho Villa State Park in late afternoon. One could either bake in the blazing hot sun or make a run for the border. We chose the latter, after all street tacos and tequila were calling. Ned here...I’m taking over for Debi. The margaritas got the best of her. Why does it take us hours of waiting in the airport when we arrive at Puerto Vallarta or Cancun, and all we got, walking into Palomas, Mexico was 5 different guards waving us through? We didn’t even show our passports. Anyway, we went to the Pink Store, which Debi had read about, checked out all their amazing, colorful Mexican handicrafts, and then ordered a delicious Mexican dinner inside the same store. Their margaritas were delicious! After a while, we bought a few items, wandered the Main Street and walked back into the US of A. We had to show our passports to get back in, but that was pretty much the whole process! What a fun way to go experience Mexico for a couple of hours, and then get back to our road trip!
It’s pretty hot here at the campsite, but at least it’s beautifully landscaped with native plants. Apparently, this state park used to be a military base from 1916 set-up to combat Pancho Villas’s raids into the U.S. The US had planes, an army and tanks but were never able to catch Pancho Villa. Viva Pancho! If Debi sobers up and isn’t hurting too bad by the morning, we plan to bike around the park and explore all the historical displays.
