Amazon is in Tucson now

[Kali]

Most of my business is on the east side so my usual route into Tucson is Kolb Road. Been watching the last year or two as a new railroad spur/facility got built and then all the work on Kolb itself around Valencia and south. New traffic lights and even whole new intersections. the most curious was a big warehouse type building that went up pretty fast. I wondered what it was going to turn out to be and hadn't been to town in a month or more. Had to go in today for an xray and saw that it is going to be an Amazon facility. then found an article and apparently there will be another big facility west of Downtown.

https://azbigmedia.com/amazon-buys-9-57-acres-in-tucson-for-massive-distribution-center/

I have mixed feelings. Tucson is kind of special and this feels sort of "not Tucson" to me, on the other hand I wonder if I will be getting one or same day delivery now - even without Prime?

[kimbutgar]

1. Going to Tucson tomorrow

Any recommendations?

[Kali]

3. stay indoors?

supposed to be hottest day so far, it was 105 today. what are you looking to do?

[kimbutgar]

7. In sun city west now and it was 110 today

It’s a family trip so we have to be tourists.

[Kali]

9. lots of good stuff (shopping, eating, drinking) down town

Desert Museum early or late if you can take some heat, driving with AC: Saguaro West and environs

Mid town there is botanical gardens, Mexican food on south side. Cooler temps on Mt Lemmon or the Santa Ritas.

There will be a new issue of this tomorrow - https://www.tucsonweekly.com/tucson/city-week/Content?oid=25203107

[royable]

8. Recommendations for a 108 degree summer day in Tucson

These may or may not appeal to you depending on your interests:

Get up really early and visit the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum about 15 miles west of the city, when it first opens and the outdoor animals are active in the cool morning.

Again early, visit Tohono Chul Park on the northwest side and have a bit to eat at their tea room afterwards.

Or if into hiking, again early, hike 1 mile on the Yetman Trail in Tucson Mountain park to the Old Stone House. Trailhead is just south of the west end of Speedway (where it turns into Gates Pass Road) on Camino de Oeste. Or any of the network of trails in Saguaro National Park east unit at the east end of Broadway or Speedway. Or drive the slow, scenic loop road in Saguaro east unit and do short hikes there (or skip the hiking if it's later in the day and hot). There's a fee to drive the loop road. Or visit Sabino Canyon and ride the tram, getting on and off to hike or just hang out under the cottonwood trees and enjoy the running creek.

Or if you want to be hiking in the cool, drive 1+ hour up the Catalina Highway to the top, or near the top, of Mt. Lemmon. If you go beyond the ski area to the very top it's only going to be about 73 degrees. Lots of great trails up high: Marshall Gulch south of Summerhaven near the top of the mountain or the control road, Lemmon Rock Lookout and the peak of Mt. Lemmon from the top, or the Aspen Trail around the east side of the ski runs. Slightly lower: Butterfly Trail, Box Camp Trail, Bear Wallow, and many more.

Down in the city there are several fine (air conditioned) museums including the Tucson Museum of Art downtown, the Arizona Historical Society on the west side of the University of Arizona campus, Arizona State Museum (anthropology) near Main Gate on the west side of campus, or the UA Museum of Art or the Center for Creative Photography on the NW side of campus. The Pima Air and Space Museum if you're into old airplanes.

Wander funky shops on Fourth Avenue just north of downtown. Ride the streetcar. Bicycle the Loop (google "tucson loop&quot . Visit some of the local breweries in the evening. Lots to do in Tucson! Enjoy!

[Kali]

10. good list!

I forgot Tohono Chul.

[royable]

11. Kimbutgar, so what did you end up doing in Tucson? n/t

[kimbutgar]

12. We went to the Biosphere 2 today

But the day before walked downtown and visited those shops on 4th street.

It was very hot today and my adult son who is on the autism spectrum son actually enjoyed the biosphere. If he wasn’t with us we would have gone to some of those museums. I especially wanted to go to the historical museum but was out voted.

Tomorrow we’re going to Tombstone. I wanted to go up to Mt. Lemmon but after the biosphere he was tired. This was his yearly trip with Mom and Dad.

[royable]

13. Sounds great! I'd neglected to mention Biosphere II.

Tombstone should be cooler tomorrow ("only" 95), since everything's cooling off a bit tomorrow and Tombstone is higher elevation. Consider going over or back via route 83 between Vail and Sonoita and route 82 Sonoita to north of Tombstone, or jog down to Sierra Vista and take the route from there straight into Tombstone. Where Route 82 or the Sierra Vista to Tombstone road cross the San Pedro River, there are parking areas and trails along the flowing river in the shade of large trees.

Have fun!

[kimbutgar]

14. I'm writing this down and going to go that way

Thanks!

Years ago my husband and I went to Colonial Williamsburg and Busch gardens, we went on this little river boat cruise and this elderly guy running the boat told us to take another road back to DC home. It was a beautiful drive and we really enjoyed the views instead of being on a boring highway. So I am mapping your suggestion out tonight on my old paper map!

[kimbutgar]

15. I met to thank you for this suggestion, better late than never!

We so enjoyed that route you mentioned. I loved the scenery and it was so much more interesting than highway 10 which we came back from. My son enjoyed Tombstone and we enjoyed Tucson, we also went to the miniature museum on the way back to Phoenix.

We are definitely going back to Tucson in the future to visit the historical museum and explore some more.

[royable]

16. Glad to hear it!

The interstate is great when you're pressed for time, but just about any non-interstate route in southeast AZ is better if you DO have the time. Any of the isolated mountain ranges with roads to them or up them are great trips---Santa Catalinas, Santa Ritas (Madera Canyon and Mount Wrightson and Mount Hopkins), Pinalenos (Mt Graham), Chiricahuas (with Chiricahua National Monument and Portal on the east side).
I'd forgotten to mention The Nature Conservancy's Ramsey Canyon preserve in the Huachuca Mountains, easily accessible on a side road from just a few miles south of Sierra Vista. Known for its hummingbirds.
Also, if you have time, consider the alternate route from Tucson to Phoenix via Oracle Junction, Florence Junction and Apache Junction. Or a slightly longer route through Oracle, Winkleman and Superior to Apache Junction, or even a little bit longer and more scenic (a stretch of the Gila River gorge) of Oracle, Winkleman, Globe, Superior, Apace Junction.
Cheers!

[democratisphere]

2. Soon there will be more Amazon delivery drones than birds.

Amazon Is putting up distribution warehouses everywhere in their attempt for world domination of retail sales. Me, I'd rather have birds and no Amazon.
Tuscon is a beautiful place; love driving through the desert.

[Kali]

4. yeah - like I said mixed feelings.

I am in the sticks and it sure is nice to be able to order weird stuff the local hardware or grocery is never gonna carry and have it delivered to my gate, but then it won't be long before I have no local hardware or grocrey...

[democratisphere]

5. That is important to remember.

No local stores.

[Kali]

6. to be fair, the "local" stores already wiped out the Mom and Pop stores

"local" is now Ace, Safeway, and even wallyworld.