1/23/08 AZ to CA

Hi Everyone,
While spending the night in a rest area in AZ, I noticed some billboard signs that had “Points of Interest” for that area. I made notes of things I wanted to see and headed out early that next morning.
I started at 5am making my way to my 1st stop- Tombstone, AZ. I am a “western movie nut” and have seen many movies over the years about this town. I thought it would be neat to go take a look at the real thing! I arrived just before sunrise. I parked my SUV and waited for the sun to rise so I could see everything. When it finally did get light enough, I started to laugh, as I noticed I parked right out front of the “OK Corral” !! (LOL)
The streets were mostly empty- with the exception of some folks heading to work, and buses getting ready to pick kids up for school. I strolled around the town and took several pictures. I will have to re-visit this area again. I want to check it out more thoroughly. It was very interesting peeking into the different shops they have there….but as it was so early -nothing was open!
After getting my quick view of Tombstone, I was once again on the road. The next stop was at an Old Mission.
This Mission was part of the National Park Service. The Mission San Jose’ De Tumac’acori was very old and I was surprised to see how much of the ruins had survived till now!
There was a school field trip at the mission while I was there….so needless to say they was a lot of energy filled children all over the place! LOL
I spent about 1 hr there…then I was back on the road to the 3rd and final place I wanted to check out before leaving AZ.
The 3rd stop was at The Tubac Presidio State Historic Park. Just outside the park entrance is a small artist village. There is many little art type businesses here. Things like pottery, quilts, sculptures and many, many more! Once inside the park, there was a whole lot to see and learn! It was more like a museum of that time period- you walked around through the different buildings and you would see artifacts from the time period -when the presidio was up and running. It was interesting to see all the items and to read about life back then. I spent about 1.5 hrs here- then got back on the road-I wanted to make California by night time.

For more info on Tumacacori: http://www.nps.gov/tuma/
For more info on Tubac Presidio: http://www.azstateparks.com/Parks/TUPR/index.html

When I hit California I came across a vast region of sand dunes- they were real pretty to look at. Then I hit the mountains again… by this time it started to storm and was getting dark fast. I kept looking for a place to stay for the night but nothing that I could afford was in this area, so I kept driving. I ended up in San Diego. I arrived about 7pm and started to try finding the hotel I had booked for when Dave arrived- I was a day early, but hoped they had a room available. Around 8pm I finally found it and I was very fortunate- they had my room vacant! So off to rest I went…it had been a very long day.
Well off to post this and the pictures that go with it. Will be back soon with more tales of me in San Diego! LOL Check back soon. Take care til then- Love Donna
Tombstone pictures # 01- 40
Mission pictures # 41-92
Presidio pictures #93- 176
SEE PICTURES IN ALBUM # 105: http://picasaweb.google.com/Pandadmd5880