During our time of staying at Tombstone Territories we visited Kartchner Caverns.  Although Steve and I had visited the Big Room last year, we decided seeing it again would definitely be worth it.  This time we explored the Rotunda Room with the group.  The caverns began 330 million years ago as a shallow inland sea covered this area and deposited layer of sediment that hardened into limestone.  The caverns were discovered in 1974 when two young cavers found a narrow crack in the hillside at the base of the Whetstone Mountains.  They were open to the public in the about 10 years ago.  The Arizona State Park system is in charge and does an excellent job of maintaining the pristine beauty of the caves. Picture taking is not allowed in the caves.  The rooms are covered with colors of corals, yellows, pinks, oranges and browns.  These caverns were only 10 miles from where we were staying.

Gary, Jill, Steve, and Nancy took a side trip one day to Tucson and visited a site where part of the Tucson Gem Fair was going on.   Steve and Nancy found this site last year and were amazed at some of the bargains.  It is open to wholesalers and the general public.  One can find a variety of items, but its main focus is on selling rocks, gems, and jewelry.

Steve and Nancy also went golfing a couple of times with Steve M, Chris, Gary, and Linda.  We golfed at Turquoise Hills. 

Chris and Linda just before tee-off             View from one of the holes

 

After a week in Tombstone Territories we left for more adventure.  This picture just before all four vehicles hit the road.  We started on Highway 82.  One of our favorite sights during this travel day was near Sonita, Arizona.  There was snow on the top of the hills and a beautiful valley full of open grazing land.  We were fortunate to catch a glimpse of four cowboys herding cattle thru the fields.  We also saw a herd of pronghorn deer.  This area definitely left a feel of the old west.

The R.V.’s are on the road again! Not everyone is loaded. Nancy and Gary M are in the front.  Jill is in the background.

 

Our destination for this day of travel was to explore the arts and craft town of Tubac and see the area of Green Valley.  Tubac is a town that women would love to explore as it is full of galleries and shops!

 

 

We got to our destination of an Indian casino parking lot in which we would spend two nights as we explored the Tucson area.  We appropriately named this spot Casa Casino.  Here are some pictures of the group and Jill at sunset.

 

The next day we went and took a drive thru Saguaro National Park.  It had a variety of cacti and the saguaro cacti were huge.  We took a drive on one of the dirt roads and a few of us took a short walk further into the desert.

 

 

Gary and Jill are standing by a huge saguaro.   Linda is exploring the variety of cacti.

 

After the drive thru the park we went to Old Tucson.  This place is where western movies were made.  The studio started in 1939.  A few television series were filmed here also.  The shows included Little House on the Prairie and High Chaparral.  In 1995 a fire destroyed some of the buildings.  Old Tucson is now a place for people to visit.  Stunt shows, musicals, and an opportunity to explore old sets provide entertainment.  The group enjoyed the park so much we stayed until sunset.

The mountain in the background was used as a backdrop for many movies.

These are some of the stunt shows at Old Tucson.  One is a bank robbery and the other is based on the comedy film The Three Amigos.

Sunset at Old Tucson.