February 27, 2022
Part 1 Tombstone, AZ
Sleeping in My RV Two Blocks from the OK Corral
I’ve wanted to visit Tombstone since I was a kid. I love old cowboy towns.
Growing up in California and making many visits to other southwestern states, I was always fascinated by the region’s history. For the most part, I would wonder “how the hell did people survive this land of little water and heat?“
Driving Minnie Rambles into Tombstone today I visualized the bandits and cowboys roaming this land of tall grasses and few cactus (compared to the other deserts of Arizona). It almost feels as though time stood still here since much of the land is not developed.
Since I live in my RV and I prefer to have my neighbors close but not too close, I choose to camp on public lands like BLM or National Forests. Searching on Campendium I found no such place in the surrounding area. Crap!!
I figured I’d need to stop in town for a few hours then move on. Then I took the free filter off and found Tombstone Dry Camping RV Park!! Only $10 (cash only) a night to stay 2 blocks from the historic downtown!! And there were glowing reviews for this location.
Now I was on a mission to sleep 2 blocks from the OK Corral!
I won’t go into the history of Tombstone, there is plenty to read in books and online. It’s famous for the shooting at OK Coral with the infamous Earp brothers. But what I didn’t realize is that is was a silver and gold mining town. I was wondering what brought people here, a place with no water.
Day 1 Avoiding the Crowds in Tombstone
Needless to say people come from all over to visit this famous little town. I arrived on a Sunday morning and it was crawling with people. (It’s always fun navigating small streets in an RV with crowds of people. Note sarcastic tone.)
Tombstone Dry Camp RV Park is super easy to access, I literally made 2 turns off Hwy 80 and I was there. The camp host and owner, John, greets you immediately. He lives close so knows when an RV is approaching. This was my first hint that I was in a safe place. (Safety is always a concern of mine, eyes open and alert at all times.) He was kind and had some info about the area. I paid him, got my windshield receipt and proceeded to chill.
No, I didn’t go into town just yet, remember, it was crawling with people. I’d be here for a few days, no hurry.
Day 2 Tombstone Monday Morning
I woke the next morning at 4 AM to a coyote howling and yipping so close I could swear it was in camp. What a beautiful sound to hear in the desert! I took it as a sign that the day was gonna be a great one, and it was!
It was Monday morning and cold! Sure, to the snowbirds that come down it’s a nice 42* F but to this SoCal native that’s “freezing”. But I wanted to see Tombstone before the crowds and take photos.
I wrapped up and headed out at 7 AM. As I turned the corner onto the main drag I noticed it was trash day! Trashcans in front of every store. So much for photos of main street without people, lol.
It’s ok, I could still enjoy the cold, quiet morning with my coffee and the trash truck.
Walking Tombstone’s main street you’re kinda taken back in time. I say “kinda” because it has the feel of the old west but with modern shopping. Don’t forget, it’s a tourist town and storefronts abound! I don’t shop much unless it’s necessities, except for stickers and magnets, so I focused on the history of the town. (Plus everything was closed.)
As I strolled I read every placard I could find to take in the history. It always fascinated me that some buildings still stand after years of either neglect or use. And that in old towns like this the buildings change ownership and type of use over the years. One day long ago it was a brothel, the next a theatre, next a boarding house to a tourist attraction today.
I focused on the historical monuments like the beautiful old courthouse, the Bird Cage Theatre and the mines where silver and gold were pulled from the nearby hills. Interesting fact, there is very little water in the area to support growing population of Tombstone so they would bring it from the San Pedro River 10 miles away until it was found while drilling a mine 520 feet down.
Like stated above, I won’t go into the history of the town, I wouldn’t do it justice so I just share my account of strolling through.
Towards the end of my walk, I was also greeted by a sweet kitty. I love getting my “dog fix” while traveling but a “cat fix” is always a special delight, especially this one, she was super friendly!
After grabbing some pics, I headed back to Minnie Rambles for breakfast.
Tomorrow’s post will be more on Tombstone … Stay Tuned!
