And Just Like THAT!!!

I know these images are instantly recognizable to many.  You're thinking "this is NOT Cascabel" and you would be right.  Our plan to visit that little ghost town was waylaid when Patty missed my text message saying YES we are going. 

And just like THAT, our plans came screeching to a halt.  Cyndae and I were all ready to hit the desert, even including our lunch packed on ice.  Instead, we threw all that BACK in the fridge and headed off to ... well, you all know this is Tombstone!  I could live here!!

The streets were pretty bare, as in there were more Earps and Cowboys than anyone else.  Everything is open however, with signs to wear a mask, although I completely missed seeing them.  I don't think we got within 30 feet of anyone!!

It being 11:30 by then, I made a beeline for you guessed it ... Big Nose Kate's.  There was no way I was going to miss out on their Reuben sandwich, the pride of the West!

There are fewer tables, but the same great atmosphere that brings crowds from all over the world.  THIS is the best sandwich on the planet I think, and now it comes with onion rings!!  Woohoo!!  I made a big piggy of myself and ate every single bite!!

Completely stuffed to the brim, it was time to walk the streets.  We left a generous tip since they have been closed on and off, and wandered out into the streets.

As we sauntered on down the road, we met up with Wyatt, Morgan and Doc, just itching for a fight.  Golly gee these guys are HANDSOME!!  Here's a little tidbit ... several of the guys who play these great Wild West characters here, also play parts in movies and productions like Yellowstone.

Here's the latest addition to town, the Oriental Saloon.  They were just about to open when the virus madness hit, so have just joined the melee of Tombstone.  They ALSO have a crew that roams Allen Street, trying to get you inside to pay for the show.  So now there are TWO gunfights at the OK Corral.

The Oriental was opened originally in 1880 by Milton Joyce.  It was the most elegantly furnished saloon this side of the Golden Gate.  Wyatt Earp bought into the gaming tables and soon it became the most notorious saloons due to so many gunfights on the front steps.  This was also the sight of the Milt Joyce - Doc Holiday shooting.

In 1881, not even a year old, it burned to the ground.  The building, actually owned by Vizina and Cook, was rebuilt.  In 1882 it was again threatened with fire, but the fire brigade sat in front keeping a steady stream of water rolling and it was saved.  

When Prohibition came about, it was turned into a drug store.  Finally, the Oriental Saloon is back in business.

In the last few months there have been many changes.  Several stores have gone out of business, some were having 50% off sales, closing their doors.  On the other hand, Doc Holidays, a relatively new establishment (bar actually) is again open for business, along with the bakery/deli to the right.  Oh, and don't forget the wine tasting establishment.

Who could resist wandering through the new "antique" stores.  It's terribly sad that the 1960's are now considered ANTIQUES.  Several second-hand establishments are trading in mostly used clothing.  I suppose that's appropriate since that's why you see so many pictures of miners wearing suits.

They bought whatever they could at the local second hand store, that being mostly suits and vests dropped off by the big businesses owners ... just like a Thrift Shop.  

We skipped the Harley store, but hit up the Bird Cage Theatre to listen to the spiel out front.  Too bad we couldn't understand a thing she said with her mask on.  Naturally we also stopped at my favorite boot store, but (luckily) this time they had nothing that struck my fancy.

I did find a special little chatchky that I know will be appreciated by two people from Casa Grande.  Not the real thing of course, but it may just become my newest passion.

More tomorrow on several new additions we discovered.