Rodeo Vacation Pictures, See Blog About It Below

Getting ready for the stunt show

Getting ties cut off @ Pinnacle Peak

Shooting Gallery

Covered Wagon Ride

Rodeo Vacation

Rodeo vacation is a Tucson tradition.  Tucson has a whole week of rodeo festivities at the rodeo grounds, and all schools in Tucson have a 4 day weekend.   Our rodeo vacation was a busy and fun one!  The L.A. Villalpandos came to visit, & Tracy had 2 friends in town (see below).  
We tried to show the L.A. Villalpandos a lot of what Tucson has to offer, but time flew by & we didn't get everything in that we wanted to.  But there is always next time!  They were curious about the rodeo so we went there for a little while one of the days.  We also spent time by the pool at their hotel, showed them some unique to Tucson spots to eat,  showed them Bookman's (a chain of stores around here that sells gently used books, magazines, electronics, movies, etc.), and went to Trail Dust Town.  Trail Dust Town started as a movie set for a Western movie a very long time ago, and now it is a tourist hot spot.  We took our friends Jackie & Sean there back in October.  It has covered wagons, a fun Western restaurant, Western shops, a shooting arcade, a train, and a stunt show. 

Water Slide @ Hotel

James

Erin on Saturday morning.  She slept over at our apartment on Friday night & it was a lot of fun!

Erin @ Little Anthony's Diner

Ben, Luke, & Flat Stanley @ Reid Park

Over rodeo break I was also able to see 2 of my friends from California.  Vanessa was visiting from San Diego so I was able to see her & her other friends and family that were visiting from San Diego & some that live here in Tucson.  Vanessa has a cousin that got married here over the weekend.  
I was also able to spend a fun day with my friend Erin.  We met in San Diego, but she now lives in Santa Cruz.  She has grandparents that live here.  We went hiking in Sabino Canyon and had a delicious lunch at Dakota Cafe in Trail Dust Town.  It was so great to catch up with both of them!!!

Erin & I at Sabino Canyon

Hi From Cali

Tracy's Birthday

Sunset Horseback Ride

Horse Races

In February & March Tucson opens up it's horse racing track, "Rillito Race Track".  Much to James's delight it's a 10 minute drive from where we live.  Or a short walk from the Farmer's Market near us, which is the way we went.  Rillito is no Del Mar Race Track, but it gets the job done.  According to James, going to the race track made that weekend one of the best he's had since living here.  He certainly loves his horse racing!

Tucson Gem & Mineral Show

In early February we spent a few hours touring the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show.  It's a big deal in Tucson.  This is what their website says....

 "The acclaimed Tucson Gem and Mineral Show™ is held every year on the second full weekend of February. It has set the standard for gem and mineral shows around the world, and is now the largest gem and mineral show in the United States. The Show is open to the public and presents retail Dealers only. Proceeds from the Show remain in the Tucson economy and are used to support mineral knowledge and appreciation."

We saw some amazing gems & minerals, and definitely some of the biggest gems & minerals either of us had ever seen.  James even bought a couple small pieces for our mantle.