We spent a couple days in Tombstone doing tourist things. We visited the Boothill Graveyard, watched a shoot out, and even took in a trolley tour. It’s hard to get more touristy than that.
Kind of hard to look tough in those shoes. My little girl needs a new pair of boots.
I honestly went to this reenactment of the shootout at the O.K. Corral thinking it would have to be lame. How could it not be? But damned if those guys didn’t do a good job. It was fun. The kids jumped at the shock of it all, and I fully expected nightmares, but we didn’t have any.
Right after I took this picture Virgil Earp looked at me and said, “Has anyone ever told you that you look just like Nicolas Cage in Raising Arizona?”
Only about a hundred times my friend, in more countries than I can count. Well, that’s not true—they’re not usually so specific as to name a movie, but I think I can thank the new mustache for that one.
After a couple days in Tombstone we drove off to get our flat tire fixed in Sierra Vista. The shop couldn’t get us in until the next morning, but right next door was a trailer park/campground.
The manager told me the kids couldn’t play with the pool table because they might get hurt! He has to worry about liability, you know. I told him I was willing to roll the dice and take responsibility should they get hurt, but then he reminded me that someone could walk through the door and one of the balls could fly off the table and hit them.
I did not make that up.
Ali says it’s clear he just didn’t want them to play with the pool table. Fine. Whatever. But just say that then.
The wifi password was GodsGrace.
While I got the tire fixed, Ali and the kids headed across the street to the skate park/playground. There, my faith in America was restored with a skateboard pool so deep I had to help a ten-year-old get out of it.
Lowe, contemplating dropping in.
From Sierra Vista we backtracked a little way up the road towards Tombstone again to spend some time boondocking and hiking.
These two are best buds now. It took a while for them to get to this point, and it isn’t always smooth sailing, but man, when they get going it is magical. Watching them absolutely crack each other up with silly jokes, make up games to play, and just wander around talking about things, is an amazing experience for me as their parent.
There is nothing better than pulling into a camping spot like this and saying, “Go. Run off and explore. Find something to do.” And then watching them do it.
Rehydrating.
22 Comments on “Around Tombstone”
Awesome pics!
Mark and Cindy
I love it, a cowgirl with a pink/purple handgun. Awesome pictures. I love the picture of Lowe looking straight down into that pit, on that small wheeled scooter. The look on his face, wow! Did he do it? I hope not. Sometimes I think they can put on those faces just to get us scared.
Your post today reminded me of growing up with my 3 brothers and 1 sister. Well that’s all that was left of the original 13 siblings. I was the youngest, the other 8 were already married with their own families or doing their own things by then. Anyhow, while I was reading this post I started thinking about how my mom sometimes dealt with us fighting. She never took side. When things were deteriorating to the point where she had to intervene, she would made us get on our knees facing one an other, then we had to give a kiss to the brother/sister we were so mad at. It took a bit of time sometimes, but she waited until we finally kissed. She would then go back to what she was doing leaving us there in this ridiculous situation until we finally started laughing and became friends again. Once there was no bad feelings left we were given permission to go play again. Some of us found ourselves in that predicament more than others. She had a few other tricks like this up her sleeve. She was a very wise woman.
I really enjoy your blog. I’ve been following your adventures since the 2 of you were traveling on your catamaran, I think. Actually I’m not sure exactly when I started because I immediately when back to the beginning of the blog to catch up. Regardless, I admire you both for so many reasons. Your children are blessed to have you as parents.
Is Ali pregnant again?! It’s not that she looks pregnant, it’s just that you’ve been doing those sneaky upper torso shots again…and the quick “We’re not going any further South” thing recently. If so, I can’t wait to see what’s next for Bumfuzzle!
Nope. We have stopped at two. There is no more room in our bus.
The great photos and adventures continue. If you’re anywhere near Hatch, New Mexico you would love a Sparkys green chili cheeseburger. Best in the land, bar none. It’s a great funky place that you all would love. Safe travels.
“but then he reminded me that someone could walk through the door and one of the balls could fly off the table and hit them” Holy crap! You’re definitely not in Mexico anymore.
I don’t know if you’ll think this good or bad – but I’ve watched Raising Arizona a kagillion times (and quote it near daily – ‘turn to the raght…..’) and I don’t see the resemblance!! Amazing to me you get it that often. But it is an awesome movie and there are far worse things to be called!!
Pat has mentioned his “lookalike” plenty of times before, but I’ve never been able to figure out who it could be. My best guess was Ryan Reynolds – I definitely don’t think he looks much like Nick Cage.
Really like the pic of the kids walking off into the desert together. Raised a question though. Have you ever come across any rattlesnakes, gila monsters ,scorpions, or any other dangerous creatures? Do you keep on hand a snake bite kit? Have you talked to your kids about what to do if they run into trouble while out there on their own? I am sure you keep them in sight, but just saying. I kind of cringed seeing the pic of Ali sitting on that nice sunny rock wearing just flip flops! ?
I actually think you look like a young Gene Wilder 🙂 It looks like you are all having a great time minus the grumpy businessmen. I think Ali is right, they just don’t want the kids playing with stuff and instead of saying it, they use the liability excuse. I guess I can see both sides because I’ve seen some parents who walk into stores or restaurants and give their kids free reign of the place to play with things that don’t belong to them or that shouldn’t be played with. Maybe I’m old school, but for 35 years I’ve been raising kids and I have always taken a bag full of interesting things with us into restaurants, meetings, etc. The kids stay entertained with their activity bag and we’ve always been complimented on our well behaved kids. Oh, and we are not afraid to tell them, NO!
We were parked next to Nicholas Cage in Nuevo Vallarta on his boat, and I don’t see the resemblance either. Don’t get it. I think Pat has his own look, which is just fine. Chris and Byron do the same thing with making up stories and games. It’s really fun to watch and I’m hoping it doesn’t go away anytime soon! 😀
““but then he reminded me that someone could walk through the door and one of the balls could fly off the table and hit them” ”
If you’re not dodging pool balls you’re not having fun 🙂
After seeing those two wander off into the wilderness, the thought came to mind, I bet they’d have a blast with a cheap metal detector!
You sir, have the best name ever.
I’m also curious if you guys have run into scorpions or rattlesnakes. I think you’ve been in plenty of areas where they roam.
Thanks for the wifi password! Ha! That will teach the mean old man!
Yep, those re-enactments in Tombstone can get pretty realistic sometimes.
Make no mistake, it’s not revenge he’s after. It’s a reckonin’.
Good times SCSU
I’m your Huckleberry.
How many times exactly do you suppose we sat around watching that movie instead of doing anything even remotely productive?
242, give or take a few.
Oh, Johnny, I apologize; I forgot you were there. You may go now.
Val Kilmer was robbed of a best supporting actor award for his role in Tombstone.
best
modern
western
ever