December 24, 2022
Merry Christmas Eve!! I hope everyone had a nice time with friends and family. We decided we were not going to sit around and just veg. We purchased tickets to Yuletide at Old Tucson. Old Tucson is a former movie/TV western set. It is one of two such locations nearby. The sister location is the Mescal Movie Set. Old Tucson was home to several movies like Tombstone and Three Amigos. Several TV shows also used Old Tucson like Father Murphy and Little House on the Prairie. In 1995 they had a large fire that burnt the majority of the entire town. Through the years it has been slowly rebuilt. From what I read, the venue is owned by Pima County and they have invested a lot of money in it. It is now run by American Heritage Railways. This was the first year for Yuletide at Old Tucson.
Our tickets included parking and admission and several of the activities once in the venue. There are several eateries in Old Tucson. As we entered, we had our pictures taken and we will have the option to buy upon exiting the park. Our tickets were for 4:00PM entry until closing at 10:00PM. We imagined we would only be there a couple of hours. It was an hour and 10 minute drive to get to Old Tucson. We arrived shortly after 4:00PM and the sun was still shining brightly. As we entered we picked up a map which gave us showtimes as well. We started walking through the town, complete with wooden sidewalks in several areas. It was well decorated as it would have been in 1882. That was the year electricity came to Tucson thanks to Royal Johnson.
As we started our journey through town we peaked into a couple of buildings. One was Shelton Hall, which housed a few artifacts and movie memorabilia. We just did a brief look and said we would return. That didn’t happen. Maybe at another event at Old Tucson we can see what we didn’t get a chance to. I was talking to one of the period dressed guides and he told me that he hoped the guided tours would resume but they were not available at this event. Meanwhile Nancy decided to flirt with the Sheriff. I have pictures!!
Our next stop was the blacksmith. It was an actual blacksmith shop. The blacksmith was a contestant on Forged In Fire a few years ago. He was working on a Bowie Knife using a horseshoe from a Clydesdale. He showed us some other items he had forged also. Neat looking work. Very nice guy and more than happy that someone stopped by. We love looking at this kind of art.
Further down the street, as the sun was just starting to set, it was time to get some hot cocoa and a cookie. Interestingly enough, you could purchase not only coffee, cocoa but all kinds of beer, canned whiskey blends, and even put a shot of schnapps in your coffee or cocoa. I opted for a plain hot cocoa. Nancy wanted to try the hot cocoa with a shot of butterscotch schnapps. She really enjoyed it.
We hadn’t eaten much during the day so we decided to go to Jake’s BBQ. After looking at all the menus which were posted we opted for Jake’s. My dinner was a brisket sandwich with sides of potato salad and cold slaw. The brisket was absolutely wonderful. The sides were just okay. Nancy opted for the Wild West Nacho. A bed of french fries with the normal nachos toppings and she added brisket. She loved her meal also. We put the cookies in my camera bag for later.
We finished dinner about 20 minutes before the tree lighting. We wondered around the square and into the post office where children could come in and color pictures and mail them to Santa. This event was very family friendly and had multiple activities for the children. We took some photos and then found a bench to sit and wait. While we were waiting another couple sat down and Nancy started a conversation with them. Very nice folks that also RV. After the lighting ceremony and words by Mr. Royal Johnson we wondered over to take a wagon ride. The wagon was drawn by two Percherons. both were a little over 18 hands high. Very beautiful animals. We even got the chance to pet them. This ride was only a few hundred feet from our previous activity and the next one is just a few hundred feet away also.
Our next activity is the Shoot-Out. As people would enter the area there were two stunt actors that would kid around with them, tease them, etc. They were making the show interactive. The set was an old western town. As we entered to find a seat on the bleachers, I was asked why is Santa here? Nancy replied that I had a curfew but I was good for now. We were both wearing our Mount Rushmore sweatshirts which are red, white, and blue. So one performer started on Merica not America.
The show was about two outlaws who were robbing a stage of money destined for orphans. The individual in charge of transporting the money was assisted by a bumbling Sheriff and a Deputy. The approach was comedic. There were lots of stunts, slap stick comedy, pyrotechnics, and falls from heights. There were even gun battles. It lasted about 20 minutes and was fabulous! In the end, the outlaws were won over to the side of good.
After we left the Shoot Out we found our way back in the middle of town. As we stood in front of The Grand Palace Hotel and Saloon we noticed a billboard. The Yuletide Carol had just started so we went in to rest and to catch the show. The show was a comedy based on A Christmas Carol showcasing local actors who forgot their lines, ones trying to upstage one another and the like. It was great show that lasted about 20 minutes as well.
We continued to walk around town and went past the Krampus Koal Mine. We did not go down into the mine. It was supposed to be spooky but also family friendly. We were headed to the Christmas Fantasy Train. We had to wait a few minutes but there were no long lines. We boarded the train and took a ride around the outskirts of Old Tucson. Very enjoyable .
As we got off the train we wondered through the Christmas tree lot, where you could purchase a fresh cut tree. They seemed to have a lot left over. At those prices I can understand why. We saw a tree about 8 feet tall, can’t remember they type, but it was priced at $450! After recovering from tree shock, I had to go see my cousin. As it turned out he was Santa Randy. We took some pictures and talked about our adventures. It was fun.
It was probably close to 9:00PM now and we were both feeling weary so we decided to head toward the exit. On the way we had to look at our photos that were taken when we first entered. They were okay but we bought the digital package anyway. Some are included here.
To get to the exit we had to pass by The Elixir which sold hot cocoa. We each got a hot cocoa to go. The weather was cool but not frigid. Excellent sweatshirt weather. While we were waiting for our drinks, we met Twinkles, who invited us to tour Christmas Cove, via Santa Trail. What the heck. So off we went. We got some pictures with another Santa and with Twinkles. Twinkles even escorted us back to the main trail through a short cut. Now we really did head for the exit.
Along the way Nancy had to take a picture of the carousel. Of course the exit is through the gift shop. I was occupied with the penny machine while Nancy browsed the shop. I have been collecting pennies for a few years. I also get pennies for Carissa and Andrew so I always try to get three different ones. I even have a pill bottle filled with quarters and shiny pennies to use. We did purchase another Christmas ornament and hung it once we got home.
Overall we did not expect to stay as late as we did. We were both exhausted and hurting some but we had a fabulous night. I should mention at this time that I had decorated my beard. About three years ago, I ordered a kit that had blinking lights and jingle bells that you can attach to your beard. So I decorated my beard and wore my Santa hat. I got several compliments and people loved it. I even had one lady wanted to take a picture of me. So I let here. On our way here I had to take a couple of pictures of Tucson Mountain. I thought it was so neat with the cacti growing on the mountainside. This was definitely a memorable Christmas Eve.
