Tucson - So Much to Do, So Little Time!

The WINs had a 10-day gathering in Tucson the beginning of March, so I decided to run down and join them. When I arrived there was snow on the surrounding mountains, but it didn't stay long.

One of the many highlights of Tucson is the Mission San Xavier.

I think the inside is more beautiful than any of the other missions I have ever been to.

The intricate details are amazing!

The Stations of the Cross are located in the garden outside, something I've never seen in another church.

Afterwards, we had lunch at a Mexican restaurant, and got to sit at the "Presidential Table," where Bill Clinton sat in 1999.

The following day, we went to the Titan Missile Museum, where we got to see the only remaining Titan Missile.

Our tour guide explained the intricate methods used to avoid an accidental firing.

On another day, we went to the Arizona-Senora Desert Museum. While there are some animals in a zoo-like setting -

The raptors get to fly free in their once-or-twice-a-day Raptor Show. First up was the Great Horned Owl.

The birds are encouraged to land in different places to collect their treats. This is a Ferruginous Hawk.

Next up was the Gray Hawk.

Then the Crested Caracara.

And last up were several Harris's Hawks.

They had a nice cactus garden -

And they also had a Hummingbird Aviary - difficult to get photos because it was pretty dark...

We also visited Saguaro National Park, surely the most concentrated collection of saguaros anywhere.

And we did lots of hiking -

And visited the Pima Air and Space Museum, with it's massive collection of aircraft, both inside and outside.

I found out I would be a lot lighter on the moon!

One day, Don led us on a great 4-wheel drive, where we saw some rusty stuff!

And found some mines.

And to top it all off, a Road Runner found a treat (Tarantula?) in the bush right by where my rig was parked!