Tucson in Motion

In this episode, Tucson in Motion . . .

Welcome back to On the Fly! What comes to mind when you think of Tucson, AZ?

Do you envision the iconic Western movies filmed in Old Tucson, where cowboy legends came to life? Classics like Rio Bravo, starring John Wayne; the hilarious The Three Amigos, featuring Steve Martin, Chevy Chase, and Martin Short; or the unforgettable Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, with Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas, all brought their stories to life against Tucson’s rugged landscapes. Old Tucson Studios set the stage for these cinematic treasures, which became synonymous with the Western genre.

During our stay from December 14 to 21, 2024, Robert and Orasa Weldon's incredible hospitality gave us the fantastic opportunity to experience Tucson like never before.

For years, while working at GIA, I visited Tucson to attend the annual Gem & Mineral Show, which attracts enthusiasts from around the globe each February. However, the city's impressive network of over 130 miles of car-free bicycle trails, including the award-winning Loop, truly beckons. Tucson serves as a haven for cyclists of all levels, offering serene paths and the challenging climbs of Mount Lemmon for a magical exploration on wheels.

It didn't take long to realize that Tucson has much more to offer. Robert suggested Sabino Canyon, where trails wind through desert landscapes, leading to panoramic views of the Santa Catalina Mountains.

Imagine standing at dusk in Sabino Canyon as the sun sinks on the horizon. The sky exhibits vivid oranges streaked with soft pinks. Shadows stretch across sandy paths, and the air cools in the evening. Around you, the desert textures come alive: towering saguaro cacti stand as silent sentinels against the colorful sky. Barrel cacti and prickly pear dot the landscape, their green pads catching the fading light. Be careful–don’t touch.

Listen carefully; you hear the faint rustles of desert wildlife—a distant coyote call and a quail settling in for the night. The earthy aroma mingles with blooming desert flowers. It’s a moment of serene beauty, capturing Tucson’s enchanting natural world.

The vibrant Mercado District, Robert's neighborhood, is an eclectic cultural hub on Tucson’s west side. It blends old-world charm with modern design, showcasing colorful adobe homes and intricate ironwork courtyards. Brick-lined streets lead you through locally owned shops, artisan markets, and inviting restaurants featuring handmade jewelry, pottery, and boutique clothing.

Aromas of fresh coffees, tortillas, and roasted chiles drift from cozy taquerias, while cafes and wine bars provide places to unwind. The Mercado serves as a gathering spot where music, art, and good food unite, embodying Tucson’s rich cultural tapestry.

If you’re a train enthusiast, visit the Southern Arizona Transportation Museum at 414 N Toole Ave. It’s a must-see! One of the highlights is the Southern Pacific Steam Engine #1673, built in 1900, which has logged over one million miles. You can enter the engineer’s cabin and ring the train’s bell. Pull hard on the rope, and you’ll feel like you’re right there on the train!

My listening friends, if you’re looking for a delightful winter getaway, consider exploring Tucson’s vibrant blend of culture, history, and nature, which is truly irresistible; for those who can’t visit Tucson–flip on the television and watch an old Western movie.

I’m Patrick Ball; thanks for listening. See you next episode.

Comments

Mom Was Right

In this episode: Mom Was Right (Again!) . . . Remember that old saying, "Mom knows best?" Well, this week, it resonated profoundly. I vividly recall my mother's steadfast remedy for the common cold, which was ingrained in my 1960s childhood: "Rest in bed, drink plenty of fluids, and take aspirin to reduce pain and fever." . . . Or now that I think about it, this may have been a Bayer aspirin commercial–Simple . . . Fast-forward to the age of AI and endless medical information at our fingertips, and guess what? Not much has changed. Yet, somehow, this week, Lori and I were blindsided by a cold—the first in over five years. My incredulous "How could this be?" quickly morphed into a dawning realization. Our company's annual meeting, a melting pot of colleagues from Illinois, Texas, Vietnam, Colorado, Northern California, and the Central Valley, was a veritable petri dish of germs. And, oh, the germs found me! Getting sick, especially after a long str...

Whispers of Spring

In this episode, Whispers of Spring . . . Spring has a way of sneaking in when you’re not looking. One day, you’re shaking off the last chill of winter, and the next, you realize the light has shifted, stretching shadows just a little longer. It didn’t make a big fuss about it—no dramatic entrance, no trumpets—just a quiet unfolding, like an old dog settling into a sunny spot on the porch. Last week, Daylight Saving Time kicked in, which meant we all fumbled with our clocks, grumbled a bit, and then, like frogs taken aback by a warm rain, leapt forward into longer evenings. The sun now lingers, in no rush to set, hanging in the sky like a tossed coin that refuses to fall. With the extra daylight, we find ourselves drawn outside once again, migrating to the back patio like folks are drawn to a warm campfire. The lawn chairs are right where we left them, waiting like old friends. The air hums with wind chimes, their tuned cylinders catching the breeze and weaving together something that...

Special April Fools' Edition: Did You Fall For It?

In this episode: Special April Fools' Edition: Did You Fall For It? (And a Little Baseball Nonsense) Welcome, fellow baseball aficionados and purveyors of the peculiar, to a very special, dare we say unpredictable, issue of On the Fly! Today, the air is thick with . . . well, probably just regular air, but a specific mischievous something is buzzing around. Can you feel it? Does that tingling sensation make you double-check your shoelaces and suspiciously eye any unusual packages? Yes, dear readers, it’s April 1st! A day steeped in mystery, shrouded in playful deception, and frankly, a day where you shouldn't believe anything you read (except maybe this . . .maybe). But before we descend into a whirlwind of whimsical falsehoods (don’t worry, we’ll mostly keep it light!), let’s take a quick, slightly wobbly, historical flight through the origins of this most unreliable of holidays. Whispers from the annals suggest a few intriguing possibilities for why we dedicate this particula...

At 92–Don's Digital Daydream

Listen to the audio here. In a world of his own–lives, ole' Doctor Don, Not one world, but three, 'til the setting of the sun! There’s his Blog-World , so bright, with words all a-whirl, And Book-World , with stories of boy and girl! Then, Day-World , where legs didn't leap, didn't run, Just shuffled and creaked 'til each day is done. But his brain, oh, his mind, it’s zippy and keen, A most curious fellow that ever was seen! At ninety and two, with a twinkle so bright, He met Chatty and said, "What a strange delight!" This box with the answers, so quick and so bold, Of theology and stories, new truths to unfold!" "Integrity, relationships, where do they fit? This thing makes me wonder, bit by bit!" He ponders and pokes with laughter and a grin, "Til POOF! he has gone to a world from within! A world made of words, a fantastical place, Where limits of the body, left not a trace! He Soares, and he zooms, with a thought and a rhyme, Trans...

On The Fly

Search This Blog