Well it has now been two weeks since I said goodbye to my good friends and Fort Huachuca, Arizona for a return to soggy England. As they say here, I'm currently on holiday, and this newfound freedom has allowed me to get reacquainted with my family, friends, and former routines. Over the past couple of days I've begun pulling the multiple rolls of film cassettes from my camera bag and have started the film development process. Developing these images allows me to reflect back on the nine weeks I spent in southern Arizona.

huachuca rock (final)

I am grateful that I was provided the opportunity to get back to the desert southwest. Having been born in New Mexico there are certain aspects of Arizona that remind me of my childhood. There were many weekend afternoons where I found myself driving on clear blue days, in the middle of nowhere, with the windows down, listening to classic rock tunes, and feeling like I was home. There is a beauty to be found in desert landscapes framed by beautiful mountains, and there is a certain amount of enjoyment I gained from those moments.

stagecoach (final)

In addition to long drives, I was able to see many historic places of the old west. Places where the legends of Geronimo and Wyatt Earp still stand. Many of these mining towns came to being during the gold rush days of the 1800s and died shortly thereafter. Tombstone (pictured above) is now mostly a tourist town, which continues to mine and live off the fabled story of the OK Corral. There are many other towns, like Tombstone, that are now deserted and were also active in this region of Arizona during the 1800s. Many of which were much more violent than Tombstone during their glory days in mining. Some of which I will be writing about in coming weeks.

wisping clouds (final)

Most importantly, I will always think about the great people I met and had the opportunity to spend time with in Arizona. The experiences we shared were an educational experiences in themselves. I will always have fond memories of the Sports Gallery, karaoke, George Thorogood, mining in Gleeson, eating in Tombstone, and drinking in Bisbee. To all of those who made that hell-a-shish time special, this Bud's for you. Take care and stay tuned...

cacti (final)

Summary of Photographs:

1. "Huchuca Rock" - Huachuca Mountain
2. "Stagecoach" - Tombstone, Arizona
3. "Wisping Clouds" - Huachuca Mountain
4. "Cacti" - Hucachuca Mountain Overlooking Sierra Vista, Arizona