When you hear the word Tombstone, what comes to mind?
To me, the first thought was where one is buried and an inscription over the site is written in stone.
Next, I think of Tombstone, Arizona. Have you been there?
Also, my mind goes to the movie “Tombstone.” According to Wikipedia: “Tombstone is a 1993 American Western film directed by George P. Cosmatos, written by Kevin Jarre (who was also the original director, but was replaced early in production[4][5]), and starring Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer, with Sam Elliott, Bill Paxton, Powers Boothe, Michael Biehn, and Dana Delany in supporting roles, as well as narration by Robert Mitchum.
The film is based on events in Tombstone, Arizona, including the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral and the Earp Vendetta Ride, during the 1880s. It depicts a number of Western outlaws and lawmen, such as Wyatt Earp, William Brocius, Johnny Ringo, and Doc Holliday.” Here is a YouTube link to a short clip of the movie. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTWYKf5hXIg
Well, this post is primarily about Tombstone, Arizona.
During our travels through Arizona we ventured south through Tucson. I had previously been to Tucson and enjoyed the area then so due to time constraints we decided to visit Tombstone.
According to Wikipedia, Tombstone is a historic city in Cochise County, Arizona, United States. It was founded in 1879 by prospector Ed Schieffelin, who was briefly a scout for the U. S. Army headquartered at Camp Huachuca. He frequently searched wilderness areas looking for valuable ore samples. Before the Tombstone name was developed the area was called Pima County, Arizona Territory.
In 1877, Schieffelin used Brunckow’s Cabin as a base of operations and began surveying the area. After many months he found pieces of silver ore. It took months to find the source. According to reports, Schieffelin’s legal mining claim was sited near a grave site. In September 1877 he filed his first claim and named the stake Tombstone. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tombstone,_Arizona for details.)
The town was established on a mesa (flat-topped hill) above the Goodenough Mine. Within two years of its founding Tombstone had a bowling alley, four churches, an ice house, a school, two banks, three newspapers, and an ice cream parlor, alongside 110 saloons, 14 gambling halls, and numerous dance halls and brothels. I’m sure the ice cream parlor was the favorite.
Tombstone became one of the last boomtowns in the American frontier.
The businesses were situated among, and on top of a large number of silver mines. The gentlemen and ladies of Tombstone attended operas presented by visiting acting troupes at the Schieffelin Hall opera house. Miners and cowboys saw shows at the Bird Cage Theatre and brothel.
The town grew significantly into the mid-1880s as the local mines produced millions in silver bullion, the largest productive silver district in Arizona. Population grew from 100 to around 14,000 in less than seven years.
At the Santa Rita mines in nearby Santa Cruz Valley, three superintendents had been killed by Indians. When friend and fellow Army Scout Al Sieber learned what Schieffelin was up to, he is quoted as telling him, “The only rock you will find out there will be your own tombstone”,[7] or, according to another version of the story, “Better take your coffin with you, Ed; you will only find your tombstone there, and nothing else.” [8][9] [references through Wikepedia)
Tombstone’s Courthouse today provides a good collection of authentic interpretive exhibits, including: the period Sheriff’s Office, artist drawings and interpretations of the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, Wyatt Earp, mining exhibit area, saloon and gaming room, period lawyers office and courtroom, ranching, and residents of Tombstone. (More information at https://tombstonecourthouse.com/history-of-the-courthouse/)
Life was similar to what one would think as reflected in the western movies. I imagine Tombstone was pretty rough with the mix of the rowdy, criminal, mischievous and law-abiding guests and residents. Additionally, the town was far removed from larger towns where the “rule of law” prevailed.
Eventually, with the wildness of the territory, there becomes a showdown. The next post will highlight that historical event.
Love and blessings,
Ron
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Beebe, Lucius Morris; Clegg, Charles. The American West: the Pictorial Epic of a Continent.
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“Across Arizona”. Harper’s New Monthly Magazine. 66 (364). March 1883.
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Bishop, William Henry (1888). Mexico, California and Arizona. New York and London: Harper and Brothers. p. 468. Retrieved May 29, 2012.
As we traveled through southern Arizona we saw these majestic cacti slowly reaching toward the sky over the years, inch-by-inch. It seems like they just stand still, reaching upward with outstretched hands, towering over those who would ponder their beauty and age.
Saguaro are very slow growing cactus. A 10 year old plant might only be 1.5 inches tall. Saguaro can grow to be between 40-60 feet tall (12-18m). When rain is plentiful and the saguaro is fully hydrated it can weigh between 3200-4800 pounds. (
Since the saguaro is a symbol of the American west, I plan to highlight Tombstone, Arizona in my next two posts. Stay tuned.
Is that what you think when you hear of Sedona, Arizona? Red Rock Country
After coming from the Grand Canyon I wonder what could compare. Well, I’m impressed with the red rock formations – that’s for sure.
VisitSedona tells us: “Multi-hued stone formations jut upwards from the high desert floor creating a vivid, mesmerizing setting that changes hourly with the light. When USA Weekend compiled their Most Beautiful Places in America list, Sedona claimed the top spot.”
More information is available at 
I’m a pretty simple person and enjoyed just walking through the little shops as well, taking in as much of the culture and interesting information that time would allow. I love the native American displays and history there.
“The red rocks of Sedona are formed by a unique layer of rock known as the Schnebly Hill Formation. The Schnebly Hill Formation is a thick layer of red to orange-colored sandstone found only in the Sedona vicinity. The sandstone, a member of the Supai Group, was deposited during the Permian Period.” (
I recalled some of the picturesque images I’ve seen in movies as I drove through Sedona. That was pretty neat to see the sites firsthand.
I really appreciate each of you traveling with me along Route 66 toward the Grand Canyon in Arizona, U.S.A. Our journey continues as I highlight just a few things. There is so much to post but I’ll let this website provide the details. 
There is no doubt some people disagree with the origin and timeline of the Grand Canyon. However, I’m not here to argue the point. Let’s just enjoy the beauty and learn a little about it based on what the National Park Service states, and our own eyes.
You can review the archeological information and photos by the Grand Canyon Association at 
The Colorado River looks like a stream from observation points. It appears so peaceful from above but it can be a raging, wild thing at times.
While we were riding back and forth to the various observation points, we saw clouds developing in the distance – and then they opened.
We were miles away from the developing storm and were able to capture a few of the weather moments.
It’s amazing seeing the Canyon’s grandeur highlighted by the lightning.
For those who have not seen the Grand Canyon in Arizona firsthand, you will be amazed and will stand there in awe.
How can one take in such beauty and peacefulness? It’s certainly worth a trip.
The National Park Service mentions a “unique combinations of geologic color and erosional forms decorate a canyon that is 277 river miles (446km) long, up to 18 miles (29km) wide, and a mile (1.6km) deep. Grand Canyon overwhelms our senses through its immense size.” The park service has excellent information at 
Coming from a populated area in Florida, along with the heavy foliage, I enjoyed seeing the openness where you can see for miles.
I published an earlier post about a town in Louisiana and the impact of Interstate 10. The train’s running through the town were eventually negatively affected by the Interstate expansion as well as the town.
Even as the trains continue to run through rural routes I doubt you’ll find one stopping in the towns as compared to years past when passengers would travel on them. Many towns now don’t rely on trains for their individual supplies neither.
Progress happens. It’s what we do with it that makes the major difference.
Forest that is!
According to ArizonaLeisure.com, when trees were toppled by volcanic eruptions, they were swept away by flowing water and deposited in marshes and covered with mud and volcanic ash. Buried under layers of sediment, the logs remained buried for millions of years undergoing a extremely slow process of petrification which essentially turned the logs to colorful stone. (How does this compare to eruptions in Hawaii and elsewhere?)
