I started my adventure on Saturday morning at about 8am. The car is packed, the dogs are left in good hands and the gas tank is full....I planned my trip to go through Tucson instead of driving past it because there was a store I wanted to stop in down there. So I went out the 60, a much nicer drive than going the I-10 the entire way. At about 9:30 I stopped in a little town, Catalina, just outside Tucson for breakfast. I found this awesome little place "Sunnyside Up Cafe" and it was wonderful....great food, awesome people and oh so cute. It was decorated in Black ,white and yellow. It had a Black & white checkered floor and cheery yellow curtains and decorated in a farmhouse style....totally adorable. The food was fantastic I had a half order of there signiture breakfast special, biscutes & gravy with sausage, scrammbled eggs and hashbrowns.....I was happy I had the forsight to only get the half order. While in Catalina I also filled up the gas tank....only $3.81! Who ever thought I would be excited to see gas at that price.
Then I was back on the road to Bisbee. In Douglas I found a farmers market that I stopped at to get some fruit. Then found an antique store where I found this old railing off a house from the new england area. I had no idea what I was going to do with it but was sure I could figure something out. He had it priced at $30 but when I offered him $20 he took it right away. So we loaded it in my car and off I went. It is now on the plant shelf in my living room although I am not sure that is where it will stay. It might end up in the backyard when the weather cools down and I start working out there again.
From there the drive wasn't too bad. I heard that once I saw the tunnel I was just about there...
The view from the top looking down into the town.
Arrived in Bisbee at about 1:30 p.m. I was so excited to check out the town. I found a parking spot and walked around all the little shops and galleries. I loved looking at all the old brick buildings.
After walking around town for an hour or so I was off to find where I was staying for the night. Thats where the fun really begins. Now, some of you will think I am crazy and some of you will totally appreciate where I decided to stay for the night. Ok, it's called The Shady Dell it is a vintage trailer park. I saw a special abiut this place on the travel channel years ago and have thought about going ever since. I have wanted to own one of these little trailers for years. They are not hard to find but they are very expensive to restore. I just think it would be so fun to hitch up my little travel trailer and get out of the valley....especially since I no longer have a cabin to run to. I stayed in the smallest of the trailers called the "Home made". It was so perfect for me. To make it even better it rained...poured actually. I just loved falling asleep to the pitter patter of rain drops hitting the top of my sweet little trailer. It was awesome!
I had a wonderful breakfast on site sunday morning at Dot's Diner. The diner was adorable, only had 10 counter stools inside and then had some outside dining as well. The diner is part of The Shady Dell and definitly fun & nostalgic.
After breakfast I was off to tour the Queen Mine.
This was an incredible experience. I loved th tour, the guide and just everything about it. If you ever get down to Bisbee this tour is a must! They instruct you to wear a jacket because it is 47 degrees in the mine. It was a bit damp too from the rain the night before but th entire experience was fantastic. You ride the mine train deep into the mine and the guide points out copper, turquoise and gold. He also explains the history of the mine and is very willing to answer questions from the guests.
The entire trip was fantastic. I left Bisbee and headed back to Phx on Sunday after the tour. I really enjoyed my little weekend getaway. If you ever get the chance...check out Bisbee.