Departure Imminent...

...and so I hope it stays that way. As much as I love Tucson and southeastern AZ I know there soon will come a time when I will have to say goodbye and head home. That time is almost upon me. As it turns out I'll be working Friday and Saturday but lucked out and will actually have this Sunday off, and that is a big change. It will be a good change for me for a few reasons. First and foremost, I may have one more chance to try the hike up to the top of Mt. Wrightson in the Madera Canyon area. It would be nice to make it to the top this time, but truth be told just because I will have Sunday off does not mean I will get the chance. I hope though that I will be able to squeeze in the time - I'll let you know.

Having Sunday off also means I will not have to hit the hay too early on Saturday night. I have been going to bed at 9 to 10 PM most Saturdays for the past several weeks, if not for a couple of months, because I have to be up at about 5 AM each day for work. The temptation that comes with having a free Saturday night could be too much to endure; I hear the Sirens' song already and it's calling me to have a cold one or two before I leave town. Of course, there is also the prospect of me going out to Tombstone again before I leave. That would cancel any plans for Madera Canyon and the attempt at a hike to the top of Mt. Wrightson. I have really been wanting to visit the Courthouse Museum in Tombstone, but having had Tuesdays and Wednesdays off for quite the while now that was impossible since the place is closed on those two weekdays. If I do go to Tombstone I can get a few things accomplished - like seeing the museum and doing some last minute gift shopping for folks back home and feeling that special feeling each time I visit the place. Along the lines of gift buying for the folks at home, I have already bought a shipping box to ship some of my gear and clothes back home so I will have room in my luggage for any last minute gifts - and folks almost any gift I will buy will be bought at the last minute, I am a Christmas Eve type of shopper. Still though the lure of a successful climb up the Super Trail at Madera Canyon is also extreme but somehow the lure of visiting a place where the likes of Ed Schieffelin, Bat Masterson, Doc Holiday, Wyatt Earp and other once lived is also extremely strong. It may all come down to how I feel on Sunday morning- time will tell. Decisions, decisions - I may have to toss a coin.

There are a few other things I would like to do before I leave. One such thing would be for me to visit the Titan Missile silo that is nearby to Madera Canyon; the one open to the public for tours. I might be able to make that after work on Saturday. A stop at the San Xavier Mission on the way back to my hotel might also be in order. I was there already but would like to go again. I also wanted to visit the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum but the only day left that I could possibly do that would be Sunday. Of course I could combine that with Tombstone as I would have to be at the museum as soon as they open in order to see any of the critters they have there; it is just way too hot once it hits about 10 AM. Again all I can say is: Decisions, decisions - I may have to toss a coin.

Finally there is one other thing I would enjoy doing and that would be to toss back a few cold ones with any of my readers who may live in the Tucson or Phoenix areas. I could possibly make that on Saturday night, or if you are near or will be near Tombstone I could make it on Sunday. I know there are a few of you in this area - so if any of you out there who read this drivel are so inclined - let me know ASAP.

All the best,
Glenn B