Adiós Tucson!

Last Day ,,, not too happy about flying home! Packed our luggage, had breakfast in the hotel, loaded the car, and, out we drove for some more sightseeing: first, the Tucson Botanical Gardens, an urban oasis. This garden was founded in 1964 by horticulturist and collector, Harrison G. Yocum. In 1974, Tucson Botanical Gardens attained its current location at the historic Porter Family property, surrounding their house. Especially beautiful there are the cacti gardens, arranged for regions, but there are also other sections of the garden, which is not too big, but very instructive. Fish below is made form garbage which was found along the Oregon Coast by an environmental organisation:

Ever seen tulips and cacti together?

Next stop: the not-so-well known place, a hidden gem: The Tucson Desert Art Museum. Location isn’t terrific (part of a strip mall), but contents are! At the core of this private museum (founded by James E. Conley, Jr.) is one of the Southwest’s premier collections of Navajo and Hopi pre-1940s textiles, chief’s blankets, Navajo saddle blankets, art textiles and Yei weavings. Also, the paintings (Dixon, Bierstadt, Moran, Corot, etc.) are of high quality and there are interesting changing exhibitions, were well worth the drive. 

We were hesitant first: should we still do lunch before driving to the airport? Didn't want to be get there too late. But, we did the right thing and went to our pre-arranged dinner at Zio Peppe. Location (and interior) were not too spectacular, but food was terrific! We met the chef/owner and enjoyed "Birria Pizza" (birria is the equivalent to pulled pork, slowly roasted, juicy beef served with consommé to dip in), and,  it’s not common to put on a pizza! In addition we had delicious pasta dish with meat balls, ricotta and a spicy tomato sauce with tequilla. Creative, tasty food, and, not too expensive neither! What a great finale of our trip!

Other than expected, it was true that Tucson Airport is very convenient! Rental Car return is located in one big center, adjacent to the airport. Just walked over to check-in, dropped our luggage and went through security. A matter of not quite 30 minutes all the way to the gate. Flight was on time, packed, but smooth, a short 1:35 hours to Denver, from where we flew directly to Munich (9:30 hours).

Driven almost 1.000 mi. only in AZ, seen a lot, experienced a lot, love the landscape! We'll be back!

"La Fiesta de Los Vaqueros" - part 2, rodeo

 

This was the 99th Tucson Rodeo this year. We walked back from the parade grandstands to the rodeo arena (about 3 mi.), picked up our media credentials, had lunch and explored the grounds. Then, at noon, the Junior Rodeo competitions (for kids) started, including popular Mutton Baskin’ (sheep riding, photo below), barrel racing, bull riding for boys, roping.

 

The main event (above inspection of the arena) followed at 2 pm in the afternoon with an official Opening Ceremony –  the presentation of all the military divisions’ flags and the U.S. flag, a prayer and the National Anthem (pics below):

 

Then the competition traditionally (same with all rodeos) starts with Bareback Riding and ends with Bull Riding. Inbetween there is Steer Wrestling, Saddle Bronc Riding, Tie-down and Team Roping and Barrel Racing (only for cowgirls). Bull Riding is one of the most popular competition for viewers and media (probably the most dangerous, too), and, they have their own Bull Riding Association and their own competitions as well. Lot of money involved! 

Bareback and Saddle Bronc competitors above

Steer Wrestling

Team Roping

Tie-down Roping

Barrel Racers below:

,,, and Bull Riding:

Rodeo cowboys  have a tough life. They travel around, from rodeo to rodeo, during the season, to win price money at events like the one in Tucson, which is given by big sponsors like Jack Daniels, Coors or Wrangler. There is more money to earn at the big/prestigious events, less at smaller ones. By taking part successfully and winning, rodeo cowboys get into a ranking, and, simplified: the best ones end up in Las Vegas at the Finals Rodeo in December.

Being successful first of all means to complete the chore, which means to stay on the animal for 8 seconds and deliver a good performance (provided, rider gets a good bucking horse alloted, read below) or to rope or catch an anmial as quick as possible. Also, in barrel race, ladies have to circle three barrels and the best time counts. Staying healthy is another main factor: broken bones and other injuries are nothing unusual and cowboys invest a lot of time in taping, bandaging, stretching and getting prepared properly for the short ride (see above).

Usually, the big rodeos - e.g. Houston, San Antonio, Cheyenne, Calgary, Pendleton - go over several days and have a declared winner every day, plus an „all-around cowboy“ for the event. Around a rodeo there is usually either a stock show or/and a fair with rides, food vendors, vendors, bars/saloons, dances or concerts going on.

  

Professional Rodeo is controversely discussed, but for sure a popular sport in the Western part of the U.S.A. and Canada rooting in the cowboy work on ranches. Of course, there are people saying it is mis-treatment of livestock, but, on the other hand, watching the horses and bulls in the pen, which were designated to „buck“ or to be caught in the competitions, you can’t avoid the impression, that those animals are healthy, well taken care for and lively. No scars, shiny fur, strong and fit.

Fact is that there are special breeders for rodeo livestock, meaning bucking horses, bulls and calves. There are strict PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association) rules that ensure humane treatment of the „animal athletes“. BTW: half of the score (in bucking competitions) go to the horse/bull, half to the cowboy. There are veterinarians present, and, animals are checked on their health before the competition.

And, consider this: the average bucking horse or bull works less than 5 minutes per year in the rodeo arena. A ride takes 8 seconds and each horse just is used once in each rodeo and gets rest inbetween competitions. Injuries are rare and most animals reach high age being kept in very comfy conditions, fed with quality feed and treated with care. They are very valuable to the owner and sell for high prices. Not every regular ranch horse (and, especially not cattle) has such a good life. Same for jumping or dressage horses (which are highly admired in our country), or, dogs at dog races.

It's been a fun day, we enjoyed it and plan to be back for the 100th rodeo!

"La Fiesta de Los Vaqueros" - part 1, parade

Thursday morning: up early to find parking around the rodeo grounds. Dark blue skies and lots of people on the roads. The Fiesta is a holiday in Tucson and kids don't go to school. As the name indicates, it's a mostly mexican celebration, very colorful, vivid and unique. The Parade goes back to 1925 and it is known as the largest Non-Motorized Parade in the country. 

The little cowboy, above, is watching closely, and, will certainly get some food from one of the vendors along the streets. On the pic sacks with pork rind and cotton candy.

Below a few of the decorated carriages and wagons:

Wagon of the local Tohono O'odham tribe

The parade came up with the rodeo. When in 1924 the President of  the Arizona Polo Association gathered a group of local business men, this was the inspiration and moving force for the Tucson Rodeo and Tucson Rodeo Parade, taking place for the first time in 1925. It was called "La Fiesta de los Vaqueros". Political Leaders, police, rangers, military, associations, clubs, indian tribes and other groups, companies and restaurants and other businesses, sports teams, riders, dance groups and highschool marching bands take part, some walking, some horseback, some in horse-drawn coaches and non-motorized paradebuggies. 

Fancy outfitted riders:

 The present parade consists of 200 entries, on a 2.5 mi. long route in the Southside District of Tucson (a mexican neighborhood) and the streets are lined with visitors, in campers, pick-ups and with camping chairs. There are food vendors and toy vendors and there are grandstands (which we enjoyed) to watch the parade sitting and with explanations from a commentator. It took two hours, starting at 9 and ending around 11 am. 

On the left one of the many "beauty queens" in the parade, below mexican dance and music groups:

One of many highschool marching bands

One of Tucson's neighborhoods

Buffalo Soldier horseback