Titan Missile Museum and Tucson Rock and Gem Show - 2 of Tucson's main attractions

 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

RV Resort Life - aka "Sumner Camp for Adults"

Voyager is a beautiful park in the desert that has 1500 camper sites and 500 homes that are part of the activities on site.

One of our favorites is the Hot Tub and Spa

Lou is active at the water volleyball 

(3 afternoons a week)

Tricycles are just the thing!

It's been cold here and there are a lot of enclosed golf carts.

SO MANY ACTIVITIES!!!!!

The cooking class for puff pastries was delectable

A great "make it yourself lunch" 

(for only 40.00)

WANT A NEW HOBBY?

LOTS OF THINGS TO TRY

Glass Fusion Class

It is so popular that we may have to try it next year.

( and try our hands at being artistic!)

The Woodworking Class is also so popular

that Lou will have to do it next year.

The shops that they have here are so well equipped 

that you'd never be able to afford all the equipment that is here.

That's why so many people return year after year.

The folks in the stained glass class are busy for Valentines Day.

And Lou is proud of his hummingbird!

And this is my first attempt at silversmithing in many many years!

( I'm guessing we would be able to spend lots of time and money around here!)

MIMBRES, NEW MEXICO

Tanya and Larry live in the "Land of Enchantment".

with the horse and mule 

Tanya enjoys running around in her golf cart with Yoki the dog,

tending the "ponies".

She also enjoys her "She Shed"

or "Zen Den" 

that she pretty much painted and decorated herself.

Then we finished our visit with a little target practice 

( and instruction from Lou)

Its was great to see her and see how much she enjoys being 

"out in the middle of nowhere"

She is really doing quite well after her knee replacement.

We thank you for all your prayers!

 

Tucson Area Interests

 Dillinger Days

The Dillinger Days are the 91st year of celebrating 

how the Tucson Police Department caught 

Public Enemy Number One

John Dillinger

The notorious bank robber from Chicago that had evaded several state police as well as the FBI

After a spree of robbing banks in the Chicago and mid west area they needed to lay low for a while and decided Tucson with a small population of only about 30K would be a good spot.

This is the line up of the actors for the skit.

While staying at the hotel Congress a fire broke out and they were recognized by one of the firemen who helped them get out with there suitcases of money and guns. 

Within 2 years all of the members of the gang were dead. Crime does not pay.

Old vintage fire ladder truck

Tucson Cutie

Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday

also play a big part in early Tucson's history.

A nice art fair

She is selling Charcuterie Boards.

This way you can carry your own board for wine and cheese to all your parties!

The Mini Time Machine 

A museum of miniatures

This museum introduced us to a world we never knew anything about.  People collect miniature models of most anything.  Sometimes the collection gets so large that they need to enlarge their own house or open a museum.

A large part of the displays are homes from various ages and styles.

Many of the models include all the rooms of the house and the inhabitants and even pets.  They attempt to show all aspects of real life.

Ordinary rooms

VERY fancy rooms

The table is set so beautifully and each guest has a gift awaiting them.

The scale is hard to show but everything is very tiny.

                              A Castle and interesting rooms

The "Learn to Fly" room

(Many of the Miniaturists are quite fanciful)

This one is based on reality.

Interesting!

This bench - with statues was only about 2 inches high.

Just imagine-carving the lead in a pencil-

and being able to get this!

or this-

Bravo!

Our favorite was this Animtron

It is the top half of a 5 foot high cabinet  

dancing and partying to the music in this elegant house

while the workers are working on the lower level.

It was created by a Swiss machinist and scientific instrument maker.

All the figures on the front of this house (previous picture) move and dance by means of wires rods and weighted pulleys. They move to the tune of the music box the lower part of the cabinet

This was a very interesting morning at the 

Mini Museum .

Hope you enjoy. Any comments are appreciateed.