Old Is New In Old West Jaunt
The sectional land of southeast Arizona flanking the margin of Mexico is a citadel of authentic American culture. Here, the Old West congregates with the new to offer an assortment of lifestyles for the natives and the vacationers.
Overview
The thrilling trip of 160 miles commences when you drive southeast of Tucson toward Pistol Hill Road. The, on Highway 83 to witness the brawny stance of Santa Rita Mountains and the grandeur of Old West. Before concluding your expedition in Bisbee, you will also visit Sonoita and the land of Tombstone.
From Tucson
The terrain of Tucson is the land swathed by natural panoramas. Known as a paradise for lovers, Tucson reveals its beauty in the peaks, gorges, and arid regions that it embraces. To stretch your legs before the journey, start trekking on the Seven Falls Trail located in Sabino Canyon and watch a turquoise pond before returning to your vehicle. Located nearby is the Saguaro National Park where you can whoosh your car for 8 miles on the Cactus Forest Drive. Hotel Congress in Tucson, according to me, is the best place in town to stay for few hours with a historical ambience. However, if you are hungry, drive few miles to halt at Maya Quetzal and munch scrumptious rice with mole paste.
Pick your choice
Can cactus look beautiful? Yes, in the desert region that lies ahead of Saguaro National Park. Even beautiful are the pinon and manzanitas pines that decorate the undulating knolls that you will enter after a drive on Highway 83 toward south. Capture some of them in your camera and switch to Highway 82 that stretches up to Sonoita. Now you have got a number of choices to visit. Turn west to view the sturdy Santa Rita Mountains, or move northeast for Whetstone Mountains. The Huachucas are in the southeast direction. The gorges here are still conceals the vanished mines, reveals the ghoul towns, and made Geronimo, an Apache soldier who wandered here, famous round the world.
Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve
Use a diversion and drive swiftly on 82 to halt at the Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve. This preserve is positioned at the outer surface of Patagonia. Patagonia? It’s a beautiful township in this part of Arizona. Walk through the Nature Conservancy and witness the immaculate division of Sonoita Creek. Some trees of Fremont cottonwood found here measures over 100 feet vertical aged more than 130 years. Long live the Fermont.
Caverns of Kartchner Caverns State Park
From route 82, divert north on 90 that lines the route to Benson. Go to Kartchner Caverns to explore the astonishing, uninterrupted structures formed in the grottos. Best of them are found in the Big Room and the Throne Room.
Infamous Tombstone
For those who have never been here, let me tell you this is the most famous town in Arizona. From the caverns on route 90, drive east on 82 and south on 80 to enter this attractive settlement. To know how Tombstone was found and who are the settlers here, visit the Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park. Not interested in the history? Prefer eating at OK Café. They make amazing Denver omelets. The boulevards of Tombstone are occupied by the visitors watching enactments of cowboys, saloon lasses, and shootouts reminding you the era of O.K. Corral. Remember the legendary 1881 gunfight? The Boot Hill Cemetery covers the bodies of men who died in this fight. Bird Cage, an iniquitous halt amid Barbary Coast and Basin Street, is a theater built in late 18th century. It now shows grimy performances from Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday epoch. It is said that the Bird Cage was also used as a brothel. However, don’t believe such rumors. Enjoy the chilled beer served in Crystal Palace where Wyatt Earp once supposedly ran the game of faro. Another rumor? Who cares after a beer?
Newly old Bisbee
On the same route, drive southeast and witness the place where Old West is no longer old, Bisbee. The soil of this town is packed with minerals, especially copper. This was the reason why such a considerable town was erected in the center of a tapered ravine of Mule Gulch. If this seems to be a vague explanation of Bisbee’s history, visit the Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum.
The entwining lanes of Bisbee are so precipitous that it reminds you of Greek civilization, nevertheless it’s typically American. Another monument seen along the route is the chalet of Public Works Administration. After a destructive fire, this monument was built again in 1910 and is wonderfully protected since then. It is now known as “Old B”. For some innovative kind of overnight stay, halt at RV Park at Shady Dell that permits you to stay in a traditional aircraft or a vessel placed in the desert. Or for a conservative stay, try Copper Queen Hotel that radiates traditional luxuries.
Bisbee has a wide menu to offer when it comes to select the food. Try a burger at Bisbee Grille or have some genuine Sonaran taste at Tacho’s Tacos.
Trip Tips
Spare two to three days for this drive. Weather is quite pleasant in autumn. However, to enjoy the benefit of festivals, visit in spring. Some of the websites mentioned below will give you specific details about your tour and destination:
visittucson.org
tombstonechamber.com
discoverbisbee.com
