Tucson - 3 of 3

Day 4

Acclimating very nicely to Arizona.  We got up and out the door by 9:00.  We were looking for the Magic Gardens or the Fairy Garden, but when we got there they were closed.  I was somewhat happy about this as on the outside the place was a bit on the scary side.  Maybe this is just because it was so empty….  So since we weren’t able to do that, instead we headed out to Colossal Cave.  It’s exactly what you think.  You take a guided tour of an underground “dry” cave.  It was fun, a bit short, but fun nonetheless.  Here are some photos of the caves. 

After that you can go up to the Ranch and see horses, gardens, and go on trail walks.  We did it all.  The trail walk was great.  It was literally a walk through the Arizona wilderness.  That means, trees, desert, hills, and mountains.  We were out there for hours just taking it all in.  I got a nice sunburn.  Yay me!  No worries, I am out in the sun 5 minutes and I get sunburned, sun screen or not. 

(Enjoy I dont take many photos of myself)

By the time we finished up with the cave, the ranch, and of course the gift shops, it was getting to be late in the afternoon.  So I decided it was the perfect chance to go see the Mission.  San Xavier mission had been referred to me several times over the trip from several different people. It’s an old Catholic Mission church that was set up to bring religion to the savages (Oiy…really?).  We get there, and my first thought was, “This is it?”  My answer after going through it was, “Yup.  That’s it.”  Yes, the church was lovely.  The murals were gorgeous and old and…religious, but they were pretty.  They really were.  The wooden dead guy was a bit on the creepy side, but moving on.  There was some interesting history throughout, but mainly it was a church and a gift shop.  We didn’t stay long. 

On the way out though there were several little, I don’t even know what to call them, tables maybe?  Anyway there were several and they all sold food but the main attraction was “flat bread”.  A fried tortilla type bread that was then slathered in sugar or honey or beans and tomatoes or whatever.  I had to try it.  OMG it was so good.  We all had one and we all were in heaven.  Greasy sugary yum.  The mission was a bit of bust, but the flat bread made it a bit better.

We then went to find some dinner and walk through the mall for a bit of normalcy.  As that was our last full day in Arizona we then headed back to our room to make sure we were pretty well packed up to go the next day.  As we were too afraid to properly unpack (thank you scorpions) we really only had our toiletries out to worry about and our souvenirs. 

Day 5

We were up and packed and out the door and checked out of our hotel at 8.  We had a few hours to kill so we went to the Botanical Gardens in Tucson.  It was a nice last stop over.  They even had a butterfly exhibit.  Not as grand of scale as ours in Columbus (Franklin Park Conservatory) but still a worthwhile stop.  The gardens and grounds were gorgeous and fun to see.  Of course we had to stop at the gift shop before heading out.  I found a great cookbook that even had a recipe for Flat Bread in it.  Yay!  I also bought some honey to take home. 

We were then off to the airport.  We turned in our car and made it on time and to our plane without problem.  I was not worried at all as the flights in were okay.  Our first flight back was from Tucson to Denver.  It was an express plane and sadly it was not a good flight for me.  First it was very bumpy and shaky.  I couldn’t read.  I couldn’t eat.  I couldn’t do anything but sit there feeling really sick and yucky.  Second there was a family with 2 small children behind me (2 and under).  I don’t mind children.  As long as they aren’t screaming I am good.  I didn’t mind the constant chatter.  I didn’t mind getting whacked in the head with something (I think it was a blanket).  I didn’t mind the hanging over the top of my seat.  However, there were a few things that really bothered me. You know that sound kids make when they cough that makes you think, “What the….”.  Well I had one of those moments.  When I made to turn around to check it out, my husband shot out a hand and said quite directly and scary firmly “Do Not Turn Around”.  I of course halted mid turn and said.  “All right?”  He then said.  “Cover your nose.”  That was when the smell hit me.  One of the children had hurled right behind me.  Since I was already sick as hell and hot as hell cause I was sick, my jacket was in my lap.  I quickly slammed it over my nose but it was too late.  I about died on that flight back.  Then the parents, which I don’t really blame them now, stood up right next to me covered in…stuff as they tried to clean up the seats and the child and themselves.  At the time I was pissed.  Could they not see I was sick as hell?  The color of my face should have given me away.  I was green.  I would have been fine, well not fine but not quite so sick, had the child not barfed.  It was not fun.

So we made it to Denver.  I immediately bought some motion sickness tablets and that was that.  The next flight from Denver to Columbus, I was loopy from the tablets, but was happily able to read and watch tv and I was not sick at all.  It was also a bigger plane so that may have helped.  All in all, the plane rides were all right.  However, from now on, I will just suck it up and take a motion tablet first thing so I don’t have to worry about it anymore. 

We got home and I realized, oopsy I was a Delbert.  I was thinking our flight out was at noon, we would get home around 5-6:00, have time to settle in and be ready for back to school and work.  Duh.  I forgot the time change of four hours.  We didn’t get in to Ohio until 11:00 p.m. We didn’t get home and into bed until Midnight.  Oh well you live you learn. 

All in all it was a great trip and one I hope to do again in the future.  I love trying new things and going new places.  It was so much fun, but I am glad to be home and back on Ohio time.  Hmmm…I wonder how many books I sold…..

Tune in next week for my review of the Hunger Games.

Ctny