TOMBSTONE

It was only a couple of hours drive to Tombstone from Tucson. Again we left or motel early to get a jump on the weather. The drive to Tombstone was only about an hour in length and the drive once outside of Tucson was rural and pleasant.

Tombstone is a historic western city in Cochise County, Arizona, United States, founded in 1879. It was a prosperous town due to the very rich silver mining that went on there. Today the main industry is tourism.After rendezvousing with our friends, Pat and Janeane, we started our walk down Allen Street. Our first stop was the Bird Cage Theatre which in its hayday was a theater, saloon, gambling parlor and brothel. We enjoyed exploring the historical layout and visited the theatre as well as the saloon. We continued our walk down down Allen Street visiting another saloon, a clothing store, and general store. 

1883 0r 2016?

We then took the half hour stagecoach ride on Allen Street. 

Tombstone is also home to the world’s largest rose tree. 
 

Trunk of Rose Tree

Rose Tree and Trellis

The tree was  planted in 1885 from root cutting of a White Lady Banksia Rose that came from Scotland, and has thrived ever since In the southern Arizona climate. A large trellis has been built to support the tree which now takes up 8000 square feet. Regrettably we did not see it in bloom as the blooming season is April.
 
Looking for a place to have another picnic lunch, we found a small park where we were away from the tourist activity. Our picnics were generally salads with added meat or cheese. On this occasion we enjoyed salami and cheese some sourdough bread and crackers.

After lunch we made our way to the cemetery at Boot Hill. The cemetery was only in use from 1879 to 1884. None of the famous gunfighters of the era are buried here. 

"Murdered on the Streets of Tombstone"

"...Lynched..."

"...and now he's gone"