Day 3 in Tucson–Pima Air and Space Museum

 

All I can say here is WOW.  We have visited the museum in Ohio but this was more amazing to me.  There are five hangers with over 150 aircraft from WWI to present, over 80 acres of aircraft on display, tram tours, walking tours and you can even do your own self-tour.  Tram and walking tours take about an hour and if you do it on your own you could take all day.  We did a combination of both – took a tram tour and then explored on our own. 

There a lot of WWII aircraft from both the Pacific and European times during the war.  The changes in aircraft from that time period to today is amazing.  Having know someone that flew in the Doolittle Raid during WWII it was something to see the planes they used. 

We spent about six hours there and the time went by fast.  There is so much.

This is the Ground Launch Cruise Missile that is being used by our troops. 

All of the aircrafts are all ones that have been taken out of service and are used for display purposes

There are Attack Aircraft, Bombers, Cargo, Commercial Aircraft, Drones, Fighters, Fire Fighting Aircraft, Helicopters, MiGs, NASA Aircraft, Recon/Patrol Aircraft, Refueling Aircraft, Seaplanes, Trainers, VIP Aircrafts, and General Aviation Aircraft all on display over the 80 acres.  Here is a album of some of them:

Aircraft on Display VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

The Aircraft Boneyard that is a part of Davis-Monthan Air Force Base is across the street and there are tours there from here also.  You are taken over on a bus with a guide that is very knowledgeable of the aircraft.  You are not allow to get off the bus but you can take pictures of the aircraft.   The bus driver goes slow enough that you are able to get some great shots.  This area is maintained by the 309th AMARG (Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group - AMARG Website). Most of the planes out here are reused in some form or another and/or sold to those interested.  It is incredible how our tax dollars are spent.

Aircraft Storage VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

There is another area where aircraft are kept where they are picked for parts.  These will not be placed back into service but are used for their parts.  Parts are sold all over the world by our government as approved.  You will notice that there are parts missing – mostly the wheels and noses.

Parts Yard VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Then there is an area where they are being repaired as well as being destroyed with the metal then being sold.

 

 

 

 

 

There is over 4000 aircraft here and the tour takes a little over an hours, so if you plan on going be prepare for a full day.  There is a café that has decent food and the prices were not that bad.  If you are a plane person and/or love to look at old planes, this is a must see for you.

Tucson–Day 2–Saguaro National Park and Sonora Desert Museum

Our second day in Tucson we took off for another day full of exploring.  We only have three days here so trying to make the most we can of it. 

Saguaro National Park is one of those parks that you drive through and it is truly amazing.  There are two visitors center so no matter which side you enter the park you will get the information you need.  The Saguaros were beginning to bloom so they were really neat and of course just the desert landscape is something really amazing. 

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is also located within the national park and you talk about a place that was fantastic, this place is.  There is so much to see and do you could easy spend two days.  You must remember that you are not in a zoo and you could come in contact with live desert wildlife though.  The area is a natural desert nature area divided in sections and the most dangerous of the desert wildlife are protected for you and their safety.  There are live animal presentation by trained staff and there are tours with trained personnel.  You are allowed to explore the area freely though so be prepared (comfortable shoes and water)  if you plan to explore yourself.  There are lots of activities for kids regardless of the age.  All areas of the desert are covered from the Riparian, Canyons, Grasslands, Woodlands, Birds, to the different reptiles, invertebrates and amphibians to the mining areas to the weather conditions.  It is a must see if you are in the area!!!  Oh there are snack areas, restaurants and lots of gift shops also.

Any idea what this creature is??  Fred and I were amazed by them as they looked like wasp but with red wings.  After talking to one of the staff members, we were shocked.  This is what is called a tarantula hawk.  They are spider wasp that hunt tarantulas and will lay their eggs inside them.  Then with the eggs hatch the larvae feed on the live tarantulas avoiding vial organs so the tarantulas continues to live until they reached maturity.  They can sting and their sting is consider one of the most painful but it is will not last long.  They are the state insect of New Mexico.  It is amazing what little things you learn at places like this!

Other sites at the Museum VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

 

Next stop Tucson

 

Our time at Roper Lake State Park ended and now we are headed to Crawford State Park in Colorado.  We do not have to be there until the middle of May, so we we have some great adventures planned as we travel; going to be checking off some things on our bucket list.

We have places in Tucson that we did not get to while at Roper since Tucson was a couple hours away.  So we set out for Catalina State Park just out of Tucson for a few days. 

Out first outing was to Old Tucson where a lot of old western TV show and movies were made.  It was a fun visit and one we both really enjoyed.  This was truly an amazing place and one that Fred and I both enjoyed.  It brought back lots of memories of our childhood and the TV shows that we watched as kids and ones that we love to watch reruns of.  I dare to say for some of you this will bring back a lot of memories for you also.

Costumes from Little House on the Prairie

Dan Block’s Shirt from Bonanza – man he was a big !!

 

Three Amigos

 

 

 

 

 

I bet a lot of you remember this one!!

 

 

 

 

 

This was fun –lol

 

 

 

 

 

 

There was so many – here is an album of all the show and pictures that were filmed there from 1940 - 1997.

Shows and Films VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Pictures I took of the site – hope you enjoy!!

Old Tucson Movie Set VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Hot Wells Dunes and Cochise Stronghold

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hot Well Dunes seem to me to be something that is just out of place in the middle of the mountains, but how unique.  You are driving through the desert/mountains area with cactus and such when all the sudden you are surrounded by sand dunes.  The area is very busy on the weekends as there are campers and 4-wheelers/dune buggies all over the place.  It was really unique and something to see.

The area has a hot spring that was discovered in the twenties when some men drilling for oil under the dunes hit the spring.  The artesian spring produced 250 gallons of water per minute with a temp of 107 degrees.  There are two hot tubs that have been established in the area and people come from all over to relax in them.

We went out there for our anniversary this year and had a picnic then sat in the hot tub – it was really a relaxing day.

Hot Well Dunes VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

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After Easter we went out to see Cochise Stronghold.  This is the area which Chief Cochise was able to hid from the army for years and the area he lived in until his death.  The Indians were able to live off the land here and it is a hidden oasis in the mountain deserts.  Looking around you can see how he stayed hidden all those years as the mountains have all kinds of caves, knicks and hiding places throughout.  The plant life which produced all types of berries and other eatable plants grew wild everywhere.  What a peaceful place.

I just loved this mountain as it reminded me of an ancient palace.  Look closer though and you will see there is so many places you can hid.

 

 

There was so much wonder here you could sit for hours and let you imagination run wild.

 

There are a number of hiking trails established in the area as well as a wonderful camping area.  The camping is dry camping as there are no hookups or water.  Sign shows that only something under 20’ is allowed as you do go through some primitive roads and a couple of dry washes to get to the area.  Want a great place to camp where it is quiet and peaceful – here is your place.

Here are other pictures of the area – if nothing else, when you are in the area take the trip to see the area, you will not be disappointed.  Remember this an area that was important to the history of our great country and to always take the time to discover our past so maybe we will not make the mistakes that were made then.

Cochise Stronghold VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL