Old Tucson Studios is a touristy amusement attraction with a can can musical, gun fights, card shark show, pistol & lariat shows. But the real attraction is that it is the site of the most active filming locations for Western-themed movies, TV & cable shows in the USA. The history dates back to 1939 when Columbia Pictures chose this site to build a replica of 1860’s Tucson for the movie Arizona starring William Holden and Jean Arthur. Local carpenters built the town from scratch, erecting more than 50 buildings in 40 days. Without running water, they made more than 350,000 adobe bricks from the desert dirt to create authentic structures for the film, many still standing today. Over time it was the site for The Bells of St. Mary’s, The Last Outpost, Gunfight at the OK Corral, The Lone Ranger, Cimarron, Lilies of the Field & Have Gun Will Travel to name just a few. The Gambler, Three Amigos, The Quick and the Dead were some of the films in the
1990’s and early 2000’s.
Stunt man falling from tower at a Wild West Comedy show.
Bullwhip demonstration by Pistol Packing Paula
Joan with Pistol Packing Paula...the only female pistol twirler.
Location for a film shoot
We were hoping to see the desert in bloom before we left Tucson, but our visit to the Saguaro National Park, although awesome, was still a little early. We did see some blooms along a short hike.
Balancing rock formation.
We packed a lunch and had this little visitor serenade us!
Trail up into the mountains
Joan along the trail.
Ron along the trail.
Our friends Tom & Sue finally pulled the trigger and bought a beautiful 5th wheel. They spent a couple of days at Beaudry RV resort in the space next to us. We went to the dealership to see the rig they chose and spent a day shopping. Tom & Ron hit the hardware store and where back in 1.5 hours. Sue & I hit Bed Bath & Beyond, Target, Wal-mart and 5-6 hours later we were back. How do guys do that?
Not only did they have to decide on which RV to buy they had to shop for a new truck too!
Tom & Sue with their new home!
We attended the Stations of The Cross on Good Friday at Santa Cruz Catholic Church. The stations were simple crosses positioned around the outside of the church & school complex. With Father leading the group and the participants taking turns carrying a large wooden cross we walked from station to station. Interesting!
We liked our 2 month stay in Tucson. They do things different down here though. The city has very few storm drains so when it does rain the washes fill and the streets flood. Instead of spending money for a storm sewer system, they just purchased signs to place all over the city.
Their highway overpasses are very artistic. I guess this is where all of their tax dollars went.
There is one exit off of I-19 with an exit sign and ramp that leads to nowhere???? We were told the original plan was the development of a casino that never took place.
But you can't beat the sunsets!
Our next destination is Las Vegas to visit friends.
Hope all is well
Joan &
Ron
