Day 7 Fort Bowie, Tombstone, Tucson (APS)

After a quick breakfast at Starbucks, we set out for Tucson, but had planned to stop a few places along the way.  The first stop was at a historic site called Fort Bowie in Arizona.  This was a really neat experience for all.  To get there, you parked at the base of the mountain and then hiked up to the Apache Pass where the old fort once stood. This fort served to eliminate the Apache Indians from the area so that the stage coaches  and pony express would have safe passage.  Geronimo, leader of the Apaches, held many raids and caused much havoc in this area.  Just after we left the parking lot, we discovered that we had blown a tire and there was nothing around for MILES!  Hall did a great job getting the spare on but Jack was not that impressed.  He kept timing him and letting him know that that the Formula One mechanics can do it much faster!  Too funny!  We drove 3 more exits, bought a new tire and were on our way in less than an hour and a half from start to finish!  Next stop was Tombstone and the site of the shootout at the OK Corral.  We arrived after 5 pm and missed the gunfight in the street but still had a good time looking around.  The buildings have been well preserved, but it was a bit too “staged” for my liking.  Certainly a place we needed to stop, but once is enough for sure.  From Tombstone we headed to Tucson and checked into the Marriott by the University of Arizona.  Hall and I had actually stayed at this exact hotel years ago when he did a century ride for the Leukemia Society.  We decided to stay for two nights and make tomorrow a well deserved “rest” day.  We walked around downtown and enjoyed the college scene.  For dinner we went to a restaurant called Wilko and had a delicious meal followed up by Campus Candy for dessert.