A Fun Day in Tucson

Tuesday, March 28, 2017

What a fun day Ron and I had riding a free public transport run by volunteers who work for tips  only, walking around the University of Arizona, viewing the Arizona State Historic Society Museum, riding the local streetcar and walking in a historic old area close to downtown.  Whew! What a lot we took in.

While waiting for the Tucson electric streetcar that runs from just west of downtown all the way to the University of Arizona Medical School (several miles), we were approached by a free public transport which we elected to take to the University.  The transport was a step up from a golf cart so open air and a fun way to see the sites along the way. 

Arriving at the campus area our transport dropped us off in the Main Gate Square which is just outside the old main gate to the University which I attended back in the 1960’s.   It has been 51 years since I graduated.  Where did the years all go?  This Square used to have some shops and restaurants, but now is quite extensive and includes all sorts of shops, hotels and restaurants, some quite funky including one in an old house called Frog & Firkin which has 30 beers on draft and 175 import and domestic bottles as well as a menu of interesting entrees.  No beer places were included in this area when I was a student.  Guess we missed out.

Entering the Main Gate of the campus  (a large high lava rock wall with iron gate with a three foot high wall enclosing the rest of the old part of the campus), we walk along the sidewalk  with me pointing out various buildings to Ron which now house different entities than they did when I was a student.  Below are a couple of pictures of “Old Main” which is the original building on campus and located at the end of the main gate.  

When I was a student, you could drive around the building to reach the long green grass Mall on the other side. The building was used by ROTC then.   A beautiful memorial to our fallen soldiers is located in the front of the building.   

 Walking around passed the old Business Building where I spent my time,

are three old dormitories all built in 1937.  My dorm, Gila Hall, has been updated inside, but still looks the same from the outside.  When I was a student it was an all girls dorm but today is coed.  Some changes have been made in the lobby area and our old glass door with iron gate inside the elevator is gone.  What fun that elevator was when we would overload it and it would get stuck between floors driving our house mother crazy. 

 Walking across the street and off the campus, we toured the State Historic Museum where I was once a docent.  What a beautiful museum it is.  Lots of artifacts, displays and information about the growth of Arizona and Tucson.  We spent an hour or so taking in the displays before we headed back to University Blvd. to take the local streetcar back downtown. 

 

An old time Mercantile Shop

A couple of old quilts.

Getting on the streetcar, we rode along the street taking in some of the old and still current fraternity houses and then heading to Fourth Avenue where we hopped off to take in the area.  This street is one of Tucson’s “most eclectric shopping districts” with a bohemian feel and local artisans offering their wares as well as numerous cafés and restaurants.  We considered taking in the Fourth Avenue Street Fair this weekend, but based on the people and cars parked in the area, we decided we were not up to extensive walking to reach the area so enjoyed a leisurely walk along the streets today.   I was surprised to see this restaurant “Caruso’s” was still in business after all these years.  When I was a student, my old psychology professor was the owner and food was very good Italian. 

Lunch hour had long since passed but we had a late breakfast so decided to stop at one of the local restaurants.  It turned out we selected “Lindy’s” which is listed as having one of a kind burgers and “Best Burger on the Avenue.”  Since that is all they serve, that is what we ordered.   All the burgers were ½ lb. which is a bit much and served on a large soft lemony colored bun with lettuce, cheese, and tomato.  Excellent burger and a small fun place to enjoy it. 

Inside the restaurant

A picture on wall at Lindy's

Once again boarding the streetcar, we continue on downtown getting off once again to see t the Old Town area.  Our legs were aching before we got very far, so decided Old Town would have to wait for another day.  We did see this old home in the area and I will have to do some research to see whose home it was.  

Reboarding the streetcar, we continue through downtown to the start of the run where our car is parked. 

Arriving back at the RV, we spend the remainder of the day resting up and talking about all we had seen.