The “Town Too Tough to Die” has survived three fires, numerous Apache raids, droughts and its silver mines closing. Now a small town tourist attraction, its main draw is "The Shoot out at the OK Corral.”
As we wandered through the streets, we bumped into a few local characters.
John (My husband): I thought no one witnessed the eight men shooting it out.
Cowboy: Eight men. Eight different versions. Get it? Lucky for you, you can see the “official” version for only 10 bucks. Each.
John: We might just do that.
Cowboy: Hollywood got it all wrong. The Earps were a bunch of no good gamblers, pimps, thieves and killers. That 10 bucks will also get you a 30 minute presentation of Tombstone’s history, and a copy of the newspaper’s report from that day.
Shelley (Me): That sounds like a great deal. But, I think that we might walk around a little first. (Turning to go)
Cowboy: How about a stage coach tour? 22 bucks?
John: Maybe. I think we'll check out the town first.
Cowboy: By the way, that tour includes the old town, the graveyard and Hoptown. On Chinese New Years, they would serve fourty different courses including: rat pot pie, roasted puppy dog with caterpillar sauce, and kittens fried in batter.
Shelley: Wow. But you know, we’re just going to have a walk around.
Cowboy: The courthouse? 6 bucks?
The Smiths: Thanks.
Cowboy: Haunted tour? 25?
John: (Turns the corner) Do you think that was a real gun in his holster?
Shelley: John, you always have to find something to stress about. They're just actors walking around.
John: (Turns the corner) Do you think that was a real gun in his holster?
Shelley: John, you always have to find something to stress about. They're just actors walking around.
Female Shop Owner: (Dressed in scuffed cowboy boots, ripped jeans, sleeveless white Tee, Harley Davidson Vest and Cowboy hat. Puffs on her cigarette, which happens to be dangling from a corner of her mouth. Sorry No photo taken - too scared) Hey there.
The Smiths: Hi. Interesting town.
Female Shop Owner: (Puff) Well, we're all a bunch of outlaws of various levels here. Where you folks from? (Puff)
The Smiths: Canada, Vancouver Island.
Female Shop Owner: (Puff) I’ve been there.
The Smiths: You have? That’s great.
Female Shop Owner: I like most Canadians,(Puff) especially those from BC. (Puff)
The Smiths: Whew. That's good! Ha! Ha!
Female Shop Owner: Not all of you, though. (Puff)
The Smiths: (What?) Oh no? Why is that?
Female Shop Owner: Well, (Puff) not too long ago, I had to reach under my till, take out my loaded gun, point it at a group of French Canadians and tell them to get the Hell out of my shop.(Puff)
The Smiths: (Oh my God. Is she serious?) Ha! Ha! Are you serious?
Female Shop Owner: Dead. (Puff) Serious. (Puff)
The Smiths: (She is serious!) Were they trying to attack or rob you?
Female Shop Owner: Worse.(Puff) Much worse. (Puff) They were rude. Made fun of my merchandise.
The Smiths: (Oh my God! Oh... my..... good.... God!)
Female Shop Owner: (Puff) Would you like to come in and have a look around? (Puff)
The Smiths: (NOOOO!!!!!!!) Unfortunately, we’re going to have to take a pass. We're on our way to the “The Shoot Out at the OK Corral". And, if we don't get going, we're going to be late.
Female Shop Owner: (Puff) Lucky for you two I'm open all day. I'll be waiting. (Puff...Puff...Puff)
(Cowboylands.net image of the Earps)
