A Day In The Life - 10/16: Tombstone Heldorado

At Quentin's request we headed off to Tombstone, Arizona Territory, 1881 for Tombstone's Heldorado Days of people dressing up in all kinds of western gear, shoot outs and re-enactments, old mechanical equipment, early territorial newspapers and guys walking down the street in their red long-johns. You get to see it all with a lot of people who got there on their Harleys.

We started out at Boothill where most of the non-survivors of the shoot out at OK Corral are buried. It is a pretty view and they have some trinkets to sell. It is a nice start or finish to a trip to Tombstone.

There are tons of people who dress up in period clothing and wander the streets looking right at home. And they appear to be having a fun time. Now and then they gather for the tourists to take pictures or wander onto the street and start daning or shooting . . . or both.

Here we have a couple of the local aliens attempting to fit in with questionable results.

At the site of the OK Corral we went for the re-enactment of the shooting that took place there between the McLaurys/Claibornes/Clantons . . .

And the Earps (Virgil, the Marshal, Morton, Wyatt) and Doc Holiday

Doc Holiday is portrayed as this guy who is just a little bit slippery. And a drunk. And a poet who spouts verse about whatever catches his interest when sober enough to stand or stumble.

After the show there are multiple places to take a shot or two at, I mean, OF the kids. There is also a black smith shop where the smith is making stuff while you watch and has things to sell should the urge strike you twice between the eyes.

The super market horses that I grew up wanting to ride every Saturday when we would go shopping, win a couple of quarters and off he rides into the sunset . . . or something like that.

The roping bulls weren't supposed to be humiliated in such a way but, of course you had to RIDE the things!

M found her place on the back of the largest critter around and was pleased as punch even though she had to share the ride with a boy who figured those horns were for steering the darned thing.

In the park (where the only public restrooms in town were located) we listened to a 40's-era band playing while we waited.

An occasional man in his red flannels would wander by looking for a place to get dressed

And on the outskirts of town there were other shows such as the tractors of vintage eras along with other early motors and vehicles. And of course there is the mine tour and the historic buildings. There is also the newspaper company where you can get a paper about the town.
Ben brought the kids and we had a lot of fun seeing all of this and more that this space hasn't the time to mention. Let it be said that it was more fun than a body should be allowed to have. So we had ice cream and Eegee's on the way home.