Travels in the 2nd half

  I have always enjoy walking through cities, exploring their history and enjoying the way they are today. In Tucson, Arizona, the Presidio Museum and Visit Tucson have put together an excellent self-guided walking tour of the city’s historic downtown area. The Turquoise Trail is a 2.5 mile loop through several neighborhood’s in the center of Tucson. The guide map for the tour is available for $2 at several locations in the area. The route is mostly flat and fully wheelchair/ADA accessible.  The first stop on the tour is the Presidio San Agustín del Tucson Museum. In 1775, the Spanish Army founded a fort (presidio) near the Santa Cruz River. When construction was finished the fort covered about 450,00 Sq Ft (40,000 m2) with adobe walls that were 10 feet high. The Presidio San Agustín marked the western edge of Spain’s control in Arizona, and it played an active role until the U.S. took control of the area in 1856, when it was torn down. Seguaro Cacti innards line the ceiling ...

  Tucson, Arizona is the state’s second largest city. It is on the banks of the Santa Cruz River, a place where native tribes have lived and visited for over 12,000 years. On my first day in town I decided to visit its Fourth Avenue shopping corridor, for its annual holiday fair. The southern end of Fourth Avenue is a shopping district with a long (for Tucson) history. Today it offers shops that contribute to its funky feel. You will find consignment and second-hand shops, along with stores that sell local crafts and jewelry. Mixed in are many restaurants, offering food at all prices. You can find tacos, coffee shops, bars, an old fashioned Italian restaurant, and even a place that sells decent New York style pizza by the slice.  Every December, Fourth Ave. holds a holiday craft fair. Artists and crafts people from throughout the region (and beyond) come and sell their wares. It is a big draw and worth checking out if you are in the area. So, when you are in Tucson, make sure ...