Back in Bisbee

 Best climate?? Not on the day we arrived! Yesterday in Bisbee (southeastern Arizona) the temp was 47; it was raining and the wind was gale force. Bisbee's motto is "We're at 6000 feet - far away from reality." We had called ahead from Roper Lake State Park, two hours to the north, and Martha, manager at Queen Mine RV Park, said she'd save us a site. There are only 25 spaces that form a circle in a parking lot at the top of the Bisbee Open Pit Mine.

Queen Mine, which operated until 1975, is right next door. This morning we took the tour. We donned hard hats, rain slickers and lights, climbed aboard a rail trolley with about 25 other people, and got to see the inside of a mountain.



 Bisbee is an old mining town with most of its houses perched haphazardly on colorful hills and most of its downtown buildings as old as 1905. It has evolved into a funky artsy community where one can shop in antique stores and art galleries, and find prickly pear balsamic vinegar along with handmade soap that smells like dirt.

Today the sun was out, but the wind still feels mighty cold for the southwest.