Tombstone - Deming, NM

We're spending the night at WalMart in Deming, NM outside of Rockhound State Park. Clint wants to do a little digging. I'm seeing if I can swing by Gila Pueblo. The security guard here is great. We were escorted through the WalMart parking lot to a spot. Seems this is a VERY common place to stop. It does have the most RV's of any store parking lot we've seen in the past year. And of course, what would be RV camping without our lovely train nearby.

We spent the day at Tombstone. Fun place. If you visit, be prepared that it's not a national historical marker so everything costs to see. The people have done a pretty good job at keeping the town in its original format. I didn't realize the town was created due to gold and silver mining that exists within blocks of the main street.

The Birdcage caught my attention the most. This saloon has been left with its original paintings, bullet holes, advertisements, etc as it did at the turn of the century. We saw a bigger than life revealing painting of Little Egypt. The cages held the dancing ladies. I was just in awe of how open everything was compared to how uptight society is now.

My favorite sign was the law that went into effect June 17, 1881. It was law #7 made by Wyatt Earp: "Unattended and Unruly Children Will Be Arrested and Sold as Slaves". The law about paying respect at a hanging and not loud belching or farting (actual verbiage on law) was unique.

I was surprised to find a metaphysical store specializing in Witchy products at the end of the main Tombstone historical road. Seemed a little out of place, but fun. Many of the buildings held special ghost tours at night. This guy was near the OK Corral.

We ended our tour visiting Boothill. Because it had been refurbished, it didn't quite have an old west feel to it, but the causes of death were very unique. This cemetery felt very different than Old Sacramento's. The historian stated that due to the weather, the wooden grave markers disintegrated pretty quickly. They used records and eye-witness accounts back in the 30's to erect metal grave markers. Many of them are "Unknown" - found in mineshaft, or in the desert, or ??

I'm now on the lookout for the movie Tombstone. I've never seen it. I've always heard bits and pieces of the story and read the original newspaper articles in Tucson. My curiosity's now piqued.

We miss everyone and wish y'all a great weekend.

************Happy Early Birthday Nolan!!!************