We spent time with relatives in the Tucson area. We visited a few tourist things during that time, so here's a few pictures of what we did.
We visited the Pima Air & Space Museum. A docent told me it's the third rated air museum in the country, after the Smithsonian Air & Space and the Museum of the Air Force in Dayton Ohio, my home town. I believe him. They have two things going for them -- they're right across the street from Davis-Monthan AFB, which is the home of the boneyard. Planes that are retired from the military are mothballed in the desert of DM. Sometimes they're brought back to life, frequently they get sent to the aluminum smelter. Before they do that, though, they drag one example across the road to the museum. Here's a B52 Hustler.
A B36 Peacemaker
A TWA Constellation
The second thing the PASM has going for it is their enthusiastic corps of volunteers. For example, they have a hanger dedicated to the 390th Bomb Group of the 8th Air Force during WWII. The day we were there a 95 year old B17 pilot from the 390th was there talking to people. I spent time with several of the docents -- all were knowledgeable and fun to talk to.
Another day we went down to Tubac, an old town. Along the way we passed Mission San Xavier del Bac. We didn't stop and visit (we have before, and it's interesting) but I wanted to show the gleaming white mission.
The Presidio in Tubac has history. It also has this grain mill powered by horses, mules or humans. Grain is milled by the rocks pulled around the circle.
Tubac itself is an artist's colony, full of shops selling artistic wares.
Rusty javelinas
And an unusual sight -- a cloud enhanced sunset in Tucson. Normally it's so dry that there aren't any clouds, but one evening the clouds (and RAIN!) that we brought conspired to create a colorful sunset.
We visited the Pima Air & Space Museum. A docent told me it's the third rated air museum in the country, after the Smithsonian Air & Space and the Museum of the Air Force in Dayton Ohio, my home town. I believe him. They have two things going for them -- they're right across the street from Davis-Monthan AFB, which is the home of the boneyard. Planes that are retired from the military are mothballed in the desert of DM. Sometimes they're brought back to life, frequently they get sent to the aluminum smelter. Before they do that, though, they drag one example across the road to the museum. Here's a B52 Hustler.
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