Joy & Kenne on the Copper Queen Hotel balcony. — Image by kenne
One of our favorite getaways in the southern Arizona is the small former copper mining town of Bisbee. Over 100 years ago, Bisbee was the largest city in the Arizona Territory with 25,000 people, becoming the most cultured city in the southwest. After a major fire at the turn of the 20th Century, the city was rebuilt and remains intact today.
Copper Queen Hotel Image by kenne
Over the years the mining played out and the town evolved into an attractive artist colony and retirement community, emphasizing monthly special events and tourism, with a current population of about 6,000 people. One of the many historical turn of the century Victorian structures in the Bisbee is the Copper Queen Hotel, built in 1902. Staying at the Copper Queen is like taking a step back in time. The many ghosts in the hotel and the old town are a reminder of the booming days at the turn of the twentieth century. For Joy and I, the old hotel reminded us of the old French Quarter hotels we have stayed at in New Orleans — another favorite getaway.
Joy enjoying a Dos Equis Amber in a Tombstone saloon. — Image by kenne
Our anniversary date is May 18th, so we decided to getaway for the evening, driving the 100-plus miles to Bisbee, in the Mule Mountains, stopping at another historical town — Tombstone. Both Bisbee and Tombstone have lots of galleries, saloons, retail and antique shops, and various event activities. As it would be, on Saturday Bisbee had a custom auto event on the main downtown street. You can see some of the photos of our anniversary trip by clicking on the gallery of photos above, or the Flickr slideshow. While having a beer in the Copper Queen Saloon, we picked up a flyer on this year’s Bisbee Blues Festival, which we attended two years ago. We were please to see that one of our favorite blues musicians and friend, Diunna Greenleaf, will be headlining this year’s event — we will be back September 15th.
To see a slideshow at my Flickr account, click here.
It should be noted that I did alright remembering our anniversary and making plans to celebrate it. My track record hasn’t always been so good.
Taking some pride in remembering, I expressed so, seeking a “that-a-boy” on remembering our eighth anniversary.
(Although we have been together since 1986, it wasn’t till a few years ago that we eloped to Las Vegas.)
“Eighth anniversary,” replied Joy. “It’s our tenth anniversary!” Which is why she figured I planned a nice getaway.
Even after she confirmed the date by showing me the marriage certificate, I still insisted it was the eight we were celebrating — if I had known it was the tenth, we would have done something more special. So, two years from now we will celebrate our very special tenth anniversary — stay tuned!
kenne
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- Ghosts of Bisbee, AZ (the Old West!) (sharilopatin.com)
“That a boy” from your wife of eight years , oh no I meant to say ten years. Can’t wait to see what he plans for the tenth, I mean twelfth.
Love Bisbee. Can’t wait to visit it with Kenneth next spring. We are thinking of heading your way next year for a vacation. Mary
Super! Can’t wait to have you and Ken visit us in southern Arizona — spring is a very good time.
And the 20th, I mean 18th………..or would it be the 22nd anniversary should REALLY be something special!!! LOL, you crack me up Ken!! It looks like you guys had fun (no matter how long you’ve been married!).
This is what you make of it!
Kenne, at least you tried. I was actually very impressed you planned the trip for you and Joy on your anniversary. Two more years to plan the big one. I can hardly wait to see how big the surprise will be his time. No pressure.
Thanks — I’m good under pressure!
this should be fun to watch