02/19/2004 to 02/20/2004
Our first actual trip since retiring, and we did not go too far.
We drove down to the old Fiarbank Ghost Town first, then on to Kitts Peak Observatory.
Really liked Kitts Peak. Would be fun to go back when we did not freeze.
Fairbank was a mining town along the San Pedro. Not much
is left of it except a few old buildings that are closed for renovation.
The trail down to the river passes by the one remaining wall of the old Press Factory. From the size of the wall it must have been a large building.
We did not have the chance to fully explore the trail but it was a beautiful area and we want to return when the renovations are finished.
There is also an old cemetery on the hill which we visited. We're not sure what community it served and it is rather unkempt, but maybe that lends to the charm of it.
Wall at base of ore mill.
Mine shaft
View from top of mill wall.
The Kitt Peak complex is very large. The various
observatories and telescopesscattered around the
mountain present a beautiful site.
On the day we went, the temperature was freezing and the wind was howling.
George really is as cold as he looks in that shot.
View of the peak as you go up the road
A very cold George
That's the solar telescope
The McMath-Pierce Solar Telescope
I'm as cold as George was but it didn't stop us from touring all we could
I think that's the SOLIS - seen from the top of the Mayall Telescope
Another view from the Mayall Telescope
Looking down on Tucson