Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Wild, Wild West (Bisbee & Tombstone)...and my bed & breakfast decor translation

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Bisbee, the once booming Arizona mine town recently has been deemed one of the quirkiest towns. At one point in United States history it was said to have been the largest city between St. Louis and San Francisco. Until last Saturday I had never been able to experience the visually stimulating town. When we first got to Bisbee we took the kids on a mine tour and they seemed to be very engaged in thoughts of finding treasure deep underground as the tour guide (a retired miner) took us through a quick synopsis of what a day in the life of mining look like. Then as we explored the town itself I kept saying to my husband that it felt like a fake town. Nestled into hills and mountains, Bisbee sets pretty close to the Mexican/Arizona border. The streets are small, random and make no sense. With all of our kids in tow we got to experience antique shops, hippies, artisans, a cute chocolate shop, turquoise galore, dust, cowboys, horses, friendly people and a town that has been covered with colorful paintings. On the way down I was talking to Angela and when I asked her what not to miss in Bisbee she said to look for the building that had a bunch a random items all spray painted red. Weird to some, I still give whoever created this masterpiece props for such creativity.

Then about 30 minutes out of Bisbee lays the town Tombstone which now exists as a tourist stop and a reminder that the West wasn't called the "Wild West" for nothing. The kids really, really liked Tombstone as did I for the mere fact that somebody told me they liked my hat and then looked at my little boy and sad, "This must be your big sister"...bless him for his charm...I liked it even if he were in costume playing his act. What really made me smile was when my Maile pointed to the VW Bus painted on the tin door and stated, "Do you think they sell some good organic fuel over there?" I thought she was extra brilliant to make such a connection until it was pointed out by husband that the movie Cars taught her those street smarts. Kids really do pick up on everything even when you don't think they do...so impressionable. Hopefully out of all of the impressions in my kids life, some of the strongest ones will come from the love that they felt from their parents...and that it will be substantial enough for them to pull through any tough times....cause trust me you there are a chance for those...you all know what I am talking about I'm sure;-)

Well of course my thought process would not be complete if didn't think about how I would want the bed and breakfast decorated if we were to have stayed the night in Bisbee. Want to see the vision of comfort, color, layers, textiles, antiques, and paintings that exist in my mind.....

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(all images by me or edited by me from House & Garden}

16 comments:

Unknown said...

I love, love, love Bisbee and Tombstone. I recently did a post on our little excursion there. That hotel was a fun treat too. Was it haunted (as Bisbee legends go)?

bluehydrangea said...

Amazing!! Love all your photos and your hat is the best!! It makes me happy!!

jonalynn said...

So I thought my next Arizona adventure would be in Prescott, but clearly Bisbee is the place to be! As always, love your beautiful pictures!

turn up the rad

Alcira Molina-Ali said...

What a grand adventure you and your brood had!
The shots look like a professional spread and you my dear, well, I don't know how you pull off such incredible panache AND manage to remember what drawers to put your kids' socks in.
Gorgeous straw hats off to you ;)
Alcira

nerochronicles.com

Lynda @ Happenstance Home said...

I love your post. Your kids look like they are having the best time and you are all so adorable!

Caroline @ The Feminist Housewife said...

What a fun and quirky place! I would love to go there. You got some great shots. And I LOVE your hat!

angela hardison said...

looks like you guys had a great trip. it's such a fun little place - i wish i had more time to spend exploring the town when i went last time. i've also been to tombstone... so fun :) i love AZ's little ghost towns.

Debbie said...

so fun!!! I'm afraid the B & B's in bisbee are not quite what you might like...more funky than classy but they were still unique. Loved seeing how cute those little chillin's are and what fun they must have had.

Laura said...

That post makes me want to pack up and take a weekend excursion with the man clan. Fun!!

angela | the painted house said...

A mighty fine post, Ms. Bisbee...I'm sure you and the stripes took the town by storm. All so gorgeous...and I love the organic fuel. Such a smartie! :)

Kathleen said...

Great photos! I lived in Bisbee for 1.5 years after college. A one-of-a-kind town with some truly amazing people there. I always loved that I had to walk down (and up) 127 stairs to go get my mail at the post office. And there are some classy B&Bs, along with some funky ones.

Danika Herrick said...

You guys are adorable. I love your images for your "Inn" decor, I'd be making reservations ASAP. Gorgeous.

European Paint Finishes said...

Ahhhh... I SEE what you were talking about. and yes. quirky. perfect word for it. so colorful...kinda like the family visiting it. captivating pics- :)

Caroline @ The Feminist Housewife said...

Congrats on your YHL feature! I was so excited to see you on there today. = )

Annie said...

Wow, Bisbee and Tombstone blew me away. I guess in my mine I thought something different. As always, it was so fun to see it through your eyes. Me likey the red spray painted embellished store. Funky.
Anyway, I'd love to take the kids next time I'm in AZ. Sista, I smooch you.

Annie said...

P.S Good luck with Mandy's wedding.