Air replenished in Forester tires before leaving. Friend had bkfst from hotel and I skipped since time was spent grooming, as well as ironing clothes for last leg of trip. Had a stale leftover Dunkin Donut and leftover bottled Frappuccino for bkfst in the room as I got ready.
Hit the road and exited and drove across the Continental Divide on the I-10 (nothing notable other than the sign itself), and further west and on/out to the ghost town of Shakespeare.
Ended up being another opportunity to put the Forester into offroad use -- Shakespeare was off of a dirt road that went out a few miles and over some hills away from the main highway. Didn't know what to expect but ended up finding that "town" itself was private property and not accessible without advance coordination (per signage). However, our timing was perfect for getting to the place -- there were 3 people right on the other side of gate, which turned out to be the owner with two guests who were being toured around the property. After some quick discussion back and forth we paid $5 each for access and to listen in to tour to the extent we wanted, and otherwise to wander around and take pictures. Was the same $5 each would have paid for the full town tour said to be two hours long, but for which we didnt have the two hours to spare.
For the map we were giving was kind of crazy to see how many buildings were full structures in the late 1800s but were completed wiped out for what was in front of our eyes. Including for the sightline from the last pic, which was the main street but originally had buildings flanked next to each other on both sides for the stretch on down to where buildings still remain. Between the narrative from the guide/owner (who had said he and his wife moved out from Ohio to take care of property and preserve after wife's father, prior owner, had passed away recently) and the information on the map, I got enough history to conclude Shakespeare was a rough town (presumably like most all towns in that time and day in the area) for the lawlessness and amount of killings that took place. Was shown the lynching room in one of the remaining buildings (front room in 2nd picture), which had two nooses hanging from rafters above. Also read on map about how another citizen was decided to be hung/killed because he had been believed to be too nosy from his yard looking at neighbors' property -- it said he was saved from being "the guest of honor at the necktie party" (their words) by being whisked away to nearby train station by good samaritan and sent away w/ a one way ticket.
Spent maybe 30 minutes total at Shakespeare before letting ourselves out of the gated town and getting back on our way.
Next up was The Thing in Arizona. Much, much billboard signage a 100+ miles out each direction on I-10 had been advertising The Thing. Unfortunately when we got there we found other than The Thing's building and gift shop, the only food option was a Dairy Queen. When we pulled up, since it was getting later into the day, had asked friend if she wanted to have lunch at Dairy Queen -- Friend declared that she would be grabbing something since she was hungry. So that took care of that — Dairy Queen for lunch. I was pretty hungry at that point at myself. Edible and unmemorable chicken basket and fries consumed.
Then to The Thing. Paid $5 each to get in (everything has been $5 around here, ha), and it was 10-15 minutes of journey into alien exhibit displays actually executed much better than in Roswell.
It was an odd mix in storyline with dinosaurs intermingled with alien discussions, and after some random US history exhibits and narrative, it ultimately led to.. the Thing.
And the secret that is The Thing shall stay with me (no pics).
After The Thing headed on in to Tucson for fry bread, sightseeing of downtown area, checking out a few breweries, then dinner with Friend's friend's family and overnight stay at Friend's friend's sister's place, and very early rise for hot air balloon ride over Tucson.
Had been looking at possibility of visiting the Biosphere II in nearby Tucson area (something I had forgotten about but remembered having curiosity from childhood). Ended up not being enough time to get to Biosphere by the time we were going to get to Tucson. So, plan to get fry bread upon Tucson arrival activated.
Recommendation to go to Catholic mission on edge of town proved sound for getting fresh made on the spot fry bread. With all the DQ carbs in my system honestly wasn't hungry for much, so Friend and I got a cinnamon & sugar frybread to share. Wandered around mission and nearby hill a bit before heading on into Tucson.
Some driving around and ultimately parking to check out a brewery belonging to Friend's friend's cousin. Flight of beers for us each, and some interesting options, including a gruit beer.
After brewery #1 (Thunder Canyon) headed to brewery #2 (Pueblo Vida) for a pint before leaving downtown for dinner and rest of evening.
Dinner meet-up was at a Mexican restaurant, which had on their menu my request for Tucson dinner: mole. Chicken mole w/ rice and tortillas was consumed, along w/ a Negra Modelo, for the single Tucson night meal.
I enjoyed the restaurant's placemats with definitions, especially for the taco definition. Mmm, vitamins.
After dinner headed back to Friend's friend's sister's house for the early night (she was joining us for the hot air balloon ride in the morning too). And while it was a moment of worry for Friend's friend' sister having a dog that was noted for not usually taking well to strangers -- and especially men, the dog ended up being comfortable w/ me and pretty friendly overall. And gave great smiles for taking pics.
Called it a night later than probably should have, given pre-5:30am planned wakeup for sunrise hot air balloon ride. Retired to guest bedroom for short but good sleep.
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