TITAN MISSILE MUSEUM
In the Cold War Era, the US put in underground missiles as a deterrent to threats of enemy attacks. They had to be able to survive an attack and still function.
This one could devastate an area of 900 square miles.
There were 18 of these in Tucson area, but now the remaining one is a museum with underground tours.
Once you managed to close this 6000 pound door and got to the control room...
you would be safe from a nuclear attack.
The officer and the deputy each had separate codes to unlock these locks
in case of orders to fire the missile.
(Fortunately that never had to happen!)
Amazing to view this in person.
Viewing from the ground level you can see the entire missile.
Stage 1 Engine
This engine developed 430,000 pounds of thrust, about the same power as
two 747's running at full throttle.
RADAR SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM
These scoop shaped units projected a motion-sensing Doppler radar beam around sensitive areas of the complex and alerted crew to the presence of intruders.
In the 25 year history of the program intruders were never a serious problem.
TUCSON'S ROCK AND GEM SHOW
Every time we have visited, it is amazing how immense this show is, and what a variety of unusual things.
At other times we have seen huge bird carvings
(several feet high)
Lots of gorgeous wood carvings
Lots of "Sound Therapy" bowls
(break the monotony of so many rocks? ha!)
A whole world of crystals
Many of these globes are 1-2 feet in diameter, some even larger.
There are many vendors like this.
A 'Photo Bomb' lurking around the amethyst?
How's this for "biggest crystal garden couch"?
The slabs in the background are pretty heavy.
( I'm not exactly sure why anyone would want that in their yard)
There are many fossils of plants and fish,
but this is the largest we have seen.
Clam Chowder anyone?
A cowboy hat or gold necklace out of
Brazilian Golden Grass
The grass is golden in color, only grown in one place in Brazil.
They wet it down, turn it into wonderful objects that are lightweight and gorgeous.
This has been an amazing week enjoying musicals (of various genres) and our attempts at hand-made crafts.
We are looking forward to spending time in the Yuma area
the next couple of weeks.
As always, we enjoying hearing from you.
Linda and Lou
