Skip to main content

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.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Most Popular of All Time

Paris – the End of Silence

✈️  In this special episode: Paris – the End of Silence Sometimes, connection arrives in the most unexpected form—not through grand gestures, but through a quiet voice carried by technology. In a Paris apartment, I finally understood my family’s words . . . and felt my mother’s presence in every sentence. Since I was a little boy, France has been both a beautiful and frustrating paradox in my life. Every six to nine years, my mother, Mauricette, would take my brothers and me back to La Rochelle to visit our French family. The moment we arrived, the air would fill with a sound I loved but couldn’t share in—the rapid-fire, musical rhythm of French. My aunts, uncles, and cousins would warmly sweep me into hugs and kisses, their words flowing like a lovely melody I couldn’t quite catch. I’d smile brightly, trying to communicate with my eyes and hands. But as soon as we stepped off the plane, my mother and her sister-in-law, Joséan, started talking animatedly. They were gone, chatting h...
2 comments
Read more

Noirmoutier: An Ocean Between Us, Gone in a Moment

In this episode, Noirmoutier: An Ocean Between Us, Gone in a Moment. Sometimes love waits half a century for its moment — and when it finally arrives, time doesn’t stand still; it disappears. The moment I stepped off the train in Nantes, it felt like time froze. There she was — my cousin Michèle — waiting on the platform, arms waving desperately. When we finally embraced, the fifty years that had passed between us disappeared in an instant. The melody in her voice was the same, but softer than I remembered. We both shed tears of joy that only come from love long overdue. “I’m so happy you are here,” she whispered, her voice trembling.   Thank goodness for the translation app on my phone, because the conversation began immediately — fast, fluid, and unstoppable. The Frenzy of Catching Up As we drove for about an hour to the tiny town of L’Épine on the Island of Noirmoutier, the words kept tumbling out. Michèle and her husband, Alain, are the most gracious hosts — but my new challe...
1 comment
Read more

Patience – the Only First-Class Ticket

In this episode, Why Patience is the Only First-Class Ticket They say travel broadens the mind. After eight days sailing the Rhône with 140 fellow luxury vacationers, I can confirm it also tests patience, calf strength, buffet strategy, and one's tolerance for people furious that France insists on being French. Don't get me wrong—I adored this trip. The river shimmered like liquid optimism. The villages looked hand-painted. The pastries could negotiate world peace. But somewhere between Ship Horn Hello and Bon Voyage, we'd inadvertently boarded a floating behavioral research study disguised as a holiday. Our ship was less a cruise and more a ferry for the Sailors of Status. ⌚ The Wristwatch Wars Some passengers approached relaxation like yogis. Others treated leisure like a final exam with extra credit. I came to believe certain luxury watches emit ultrasonic signals that only their owners can detect. A frequency calibrated to trigger rapid movement toward any line forming...
1 comment
Read more

Our Journey to Avignon

🇫🇷 Lost in Transition: Our Journey to Avignon (Part 1) When everything that can go wrong—does—sometimes grace still finds you. Our Monday morning trip began on the quiet island of Noirmoutier , where salt marshes and sea breezes whisper of simpler days. From there, our early morning drive was uneventful; we arrived at the Nantes station with plenty of time to spare. From Nantes to Paris Montparnasse, everything went smoothly—so we thought, until it didn't. That's when things started to unravel. If you've never traveled the Paris Metro , imagine a vast underground maze pulsing beneath the city—corridors twisting into one another, trains roaring in and out of the dark, staircases that rise and fall like riddles. It's efficient, yes—but only if you know where you're going. We had over an hour and a half to make our next train to Avignon —plenty of time. Or so we believed. We needed to reach the Gare de Lyon station, where our TGV (high-speed train) was headed south...
Post a Comment
Read more