From the Arizona-New Mexico border to Tucson is an easy 150 or so mile run.....no sweat! We blew into town late morning on Sunday August 3, 2014 and checked into the historic Congress Hotel in downtown Tucson right across from the old Amtrak railroad station that was built by Southern Pacific in 1907. The hotel itself was constructed in 1919 in conjunction with the Rialto Theater which is still located across the street. Probably the greatest claim to fame for this hotel is that in 1934 John Dillinger in his gang were hiding out in 3rd floor rooms under aliases. A fire started in the basement and when it reached the 3rd floor, somehow the gangs identity was found out. The FEDS rushed in and surrounded the place in an attempt to capture them.....but, alas, the fugitives all escaped via aerial ladders. It is local lore that the firemen fighting the blaze retrieved the gangs luggage and returned it to them! During this period of American history John Dillinger was regarded by many to be somewhat of a Zorro-Robin Hood-Jesse James outlaw folk hero. The restaurant is excellent, the bar not-so, the tiny, tiny rooms are just like they were in the 1920's except they are air conditioned and have WIFI. Small, double bed, minuscule bathroom, no TV, and yes there are ghosts in the place. Tana sensed their presence. She is a ghost whisperer or whatever you call them. The only ghost I know is Casper! But I believe....yes sir, we have ghosts in our Mexican place ....but that's another story.....
The live entertainment on the Hotel patio on this trip was terrific....! A local Bluegrass group. The lead guitarist told me that he and his pals have been playing the Congress every week for over 20 years....
This place exudes coolness....doesn't it?
Awesome group with a fantastic Bluegrass sound...
Mandolin player was one of the best we have ever heard....!
..I'm guzzling the Negra Modelo's and Tana is elegantly quaffing the Cabernet....It's all good...!
We didn't take too much time to sight see in Tucson because we were anxious to get our business done and head into Mexico. We did, however, stop at two awesomely fabulous places that I would recommend to anyone visiting Tucson.
The first place we visited was the very old and elegant Pima County Courthouse. This Mission Revival-Spanish Colonial architectural masterpiece was constructed in 1928 and is still in operation today.
Some things are beautiful forever......
This is a must see if you ever go to Tucson....
This is incredible....if you ask me....go ahead ask....OK OK..."Rich, what do you think of this dome?" you ask. "It's Incredible I say!
That's all I can do for now, gotta run down to the OXXO and get some beer and something for dinner. Next time we'll visit a place thats on the way into Mexico and is even more awesome than the courthouse....just wait! you'll agree......until then ....
peace to you my friends....
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