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.  

 

January trip to Tucson theme park "Old Tucson"

James and I ventured out to "Old Tucson".  It's a theme park on the outskirts of town that has had countless t.v. shows and movies filmed there.  Unfortunately most of Old Tucson and it's famous movie sets burned down in 1995, so all the sets now are "Part II's".  One of the most recognizable is the Mission set below, where the "3 Amigos" was filmed.  Parts of the movie "Tombstone" were filmed here, too.  The park has a train ride, a covered wagon ride, stunt shows, saloon shows, a haunted mine trail, shops, and a museum with old costumes from various movies and t.v. shows. 

3 Amigos Mission Set

James going into "The Reno" (see below)

January

I have greatly neglected the blog over the last 2 months!  Here are some very belated pictures of our California Christmas.  We spent a wonderful Christmas Eve and Christmas morning in the L.A. Villalpando's home with Dan, Danielle, Ben, Luke, Erin, and Mom & Dad Villalpando.  Christmas afternoon we drove to back to Carpinteria and spent some quality time with the Santa Barbara and Lompoc Villalpandos.  We also had a nice skyping session with the Washington Villalpandos.  It was soooo nice to be back in California and to have time with family we haven't seen for so long.