Things to do in Bisbee – Stargazing

A couple of nights ago, in preparation to view and photograph the  Perseid meteor shower, I went up to the deck of suite 401 at the Gym Club Suites to try out photographing the stars with our Nikon D600.  Before that I went online to learn how to set the ISO,  f-stop and shutter speed.  With my new found knowledge, I managed to take a few photos of the stars and was confident that I would be able to capture a few shooting stars later that night.

I got up about quarter after 2 Monday morning and went up to the deck again.  Now that all the bars were closed, I was happy that it was darker and that I was able to see the stars much better.  It was so pleasant up on the deck – crisp cool air and a sky full of stars and  an occasional shooting star.  Every time I pressed on the shutter, I was hoping that a shooting star would appear at the direction my camera was pointing at.  No such luck.  Now I can appreciate much more the meteor photos I see on the internet.  But, I did get some interesting pictures.

The Perseid meteor shower show will continue tonight, Tuesday August 13, 2013.  Although last night’s show was to be more impressive with more than 60 meteors every hour,  tonight’s show will peak at dozens of shooting stars every hour.

Tonight or any clear nights, there are places you can drive to within 10 minutes of Old Bisbee where you find yourself far away from city lights and be able to see dark sky full of bright stars.   Take highway 92 towards Sierra Vista, a couple of miles pass Safeway – anywhere you can find a place to park.  You can also drive up to the Old Divide for a good view of the sky.  Tonight will be a good one to view the Perseid meteor shower.  Maybe you’ll be lucky and capture one on you camera.

For more information of this year’s Perseid meteor shower and live stream of tonight’s meteor shower, click HERE.

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A blog about Bisbee and Bisbee events by Gym Club Suites:

About us:  Originally built in 1903 as the YMCA, it is a registered historical landmark.  Renovated in the 1980′s into a 17-unit apartment building; now it is a popular vacation rental for long and short term stays.

For more info: www.gymclubsuites.com

To view our suites:  http://ow.ly/1TcVv

For Bisbee Events:  http://ow.ly/1SNm7

Follow us on Twitter:  www.twitter.com/BisbeeAzLodging

Facebook Page:   www.facebook.com/GymClubSuites

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New and Improved: Rainsbow’s End Suite has a New Deck

Rainbow’s End,  Suite 201, of the Gym Club Suites is a 1300 square foot, two story apartment suite with a 560 square foot deck that has a 270 degree view of Old Bisbee.  When the building was being renovated in 1985 into a 17 unit apartment building, the managing partner of the project, Garth Collier of Collier-Craft Development Company, designed this unit to be his future residence.   Mr. Collier lived in suite 201 and Mr Craft lived in suite 105 after the project was completed.

View from SE corner of suite 201 deck.

View from SW corner of suite 201 deck.

After twenty some years, the wood deck has deteriorated.  It’ time for a new one.  But, it’s a big job.  The deck has no outside access and it’s two stories above ground level.  The old wood from the existing deck will need to be removed and disposed of.  The roof where the deck sits on needs to be cleaned and be coated with a couple of layers of roof coating because we’re hoping we will not have to work on it for another 20 years.  New wood will have to be taken up – over 150 pieces of 8 footers.

It’s mid-May.  The weather was getting hot.  But, it needed to be done before the monsoon season began.

We started out with an 8’x8′ area just outside the patio door.  We took out the existing 8×8 deck –  pried the wood boards off the joists, banged in the exposed screws, cut down the boards for easy handling.  We experimented with different gap sizes between the boards and how to compensate for boards that were not straight.  After the 8×8 area was finished, we had to stop for a while because of a check-in.  This break gave us time to reconsider how we would approach the rest of the deck.

On the left are old joists with parts of deck boards still attached. On the right are stacks of 16″ 2×6’s. Lower right shows the 8×8 “new” deck.

The new approach would be to eliminate any kind of prying and banging down the screws.  This was accomplished by cutting both sides of the board that was screwed into the joist.   We ended up with pieces of 2×6’s that were about 16 inches long and old  joists with pieces of wood still screwed into them.  The joists were then cut into smaller pieces with a miter saw.  Once the old wood was removed, the roof  swept clean and painted, it’s time to build.  But, we had to take another break because of reservations.

With the experience of building the 8×8 deck, we decided to build the deck differently from before – which was  6 or 7 smaller, independent decks put next to each other.  This time, the deck boards would be staggered.  It was going to be one big deck – no more unevenness or wobbling.

Here are more photos:

Building the deck – one board at a time.

Finished deck: we used Cabot Wood Stain instead of paint – no more cracking and peeling paint 🙂

Now, imagine yourself enjoying a cup of coffee in the early morning – the sun is about to rise above the B Mountain.  It had rained the night before, but there’s not a cloud in the sky.  The air is crisp and fresh.  You can hear the birds chirping joyously, welcoming a brand new day.

Or, imagine later in the afternoon… the sun is already hiding behind the monsoon clouds; there is a light breeze.  It’s the perfect setting to share a bottle of wine with good friends, relaxing around the patio table, lingering until you hear the first thunder.   If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to see this amazing sight (photo by Joseph Oland):  http://ow.ly/mZH9R

Monsoon season is actually a great time to visit Bisbee.  Our temperature is 10-20 degrees lower than that of Tucson or Phoenix.  The average summertime low is in the mid 60’s.  No matter how hot it gets during the day, we always have cool nights and mornings.   As a bonus, you’ll get to see the gorgeous waterfalls of Bisbee after the monsoon rain.

This year, we are offering low, low summer rates.   So, bring your entire family and enjoy a delightful summer vacation in Bisbee, Arizona at the Gym Club Suites.   We are also offering a summer deal at ArizonaGuide.com and DestinationBisbee.com.  Summer deal and summer rates ends September 30th, 2013.  Come visit us soon.

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A blog about Bisbee and Bisbee events by Gym Club Suites:

About us:  Originally built in 1903 as the YMCA, it is a registered historical landmark.  Renovated in the 1980′s into a 17-unit apartment building; now it is a popular vacation rental for long and short term stays.

For more info: www.gymclubsuites.com

To view our suites:  http://ow.ly/1TcVv

For Bisbee Events:  http://ow.ly/1SNm7

Follow us on Twitter:  www.twitter.com/BisbeeAzLodging

Facebook Page:   www.facebook.com/GymClubSuites

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Things to do in Bisbee Series – See the Waterfalls after a Heavy Monsoon Rain

Do you know Bisbee has magnificent waterfalls?  You can see them only after heavy monsoon rains.  If you should be in Bisbee during the monsoon season (July to mid September), be sure to take a drive to see this rare beautiful sight after it rains.

Starting from Old Bisbee, drive west on Hwy 80 and through the Mule Pass Tunnel.  Just 2 miles after you’ve passed the tunnel, there is a turnout on the left side of the highway where you can park.  Before you make the left turn, you should be able to hear the water running – a waterfall right next to the highway.  You’ll get better view of the waterfalls if you walk (southeast) towards Hidden Meadow Lane.  With your camera ready, look across the highway and up… zoom in.

 

Cochise County Sheriff Department has encouraged people not to climb up to the falls.  Water makes the rocks very slippery – dangerous for the climber as well as the rescuers.  Just a week ago, a teenager was hurt there:  fractured back, broken ribs and elbow.

Enjoy the photos and videos.  Leave the climbing to the pros.

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A blog about Bisbee and Bisbee events by Gym Club Suites:

About us:  Originally built in 1903 as the YMCA, it is a registered historical landmark.  Renovated in the 1980′s into a 17-unit apartment building; now it is a popular vacation rental for long and short term stays.

For more info: www.gymclubsuites.com

To view our suites:  http://ow.ly/1TcVv

For Bisbee Events:  http://ow.ly/1SNm7

Follow us on Twitter:  www.twitter.com/BisbeeAzLodging

Facebook Page:   www.facebook.com/GymClubSuites

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Things To Do in Bisbee Series: Tour the Queen Mine

At 47 degrees Fahrenheit year round, the Queen Mine is the coolest place to be in the summer anywhere in Arizona.  The Queen Mine operated from 1877 – 1975. It has seven levels with 143 miles of passageways. The Mine has natural ventilation due to the many shafts and drifts.

Outfitted in hard hat, miner’s headlamp and a yellow slicker, thousands of Bisbee visitors descend into the Queen Mine Tour each year—heading underground and back in time. Tour guides, retired Phelps Dodge employees, lead the group 1,500 feet into the mine and recount mining days, techniques, dangers and drama.  Adding a personal touch, the miner-turned-tour guides help visitors experience what it was like to work underground.  Some of the tour guides are already in their 80’s.  So, come visit soon.

Five tours depart each day, seven days a week, from the Queen Mine Tour Building, located immediately south of Old Bisbee’s business district, off the U.S. 80 interchange.

9:00am, 10:30am, Noon, 2:00pm, 3:30pm
$13 for adults
$5.50 for ages 4-12
(taxes are included)
Children under 4 are free.
Prices subject to change
Tours last approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Read about the  Queen Mine Tour history and the Bisbee mining history.

Browse through the beautiful rocks at the gift shop inside the Queen Mine Tour building.  You can also pick up brochures and maps at the Bisbee Visitors Center next to the gift shop.  Our volunteers are willing and ready to help you plan a wonderful visit in Bisbee.

Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum is another “must see” while you’re in Bisbee.  It’s part of the Smithsonian Institution’s Affiliations Program, the first museum in the southwest to be designated – and distinguished – as an Affiliate since 1998.  Once a year the Mining Museum also sponsors a Turquoise Hunt where rock hounds can hunt for the valuable Bisbee turquoise – the Bisbee Blue.  (2013 Turquoise Hunt is cancelled, call around mid year 2014 regarding 2014 Turquoise Hunt.)

 

 

 

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A blog about Bisbee and Bisbee events by Gym Club Suites:

About us:  Originally built in 1903 as the YMCA, it is a registered historical landmark.  Renovated in the 1980′s into a 17-unit apartment building; now it is a popular vacation rental for long and short term stays.

For more info: www.gymclubsuites.com

To view our suites:  http://ow.ly/1TcVv

For Bisbee Events:  http://ow.ly/1SNm7

Follow us on Twitter:  www.twitter.com/BisbeeAzLodging

Facebook Page:   www.facebook.com/GymClubSuites

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Things to do in Bisbee Series: Observe Hummingbird Banding at the San Pedro River

Ever held a humming bird and felt the beat of a itty-bitty heart 250 times a minute?

First watch this:  A story about trapping and banding a hummingbird.  The trapping method at the San Pedro may be different, but for each bird that is caught, the same information is measured and recorded.   The Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory (SABO) website has a whole page dedicated to Hummingbird Banding on the San Pedro River.  Hummingbird banding at the San Pedro River is open to the public.  The 2013 summer schedule is as follows:  June 29, July 6, 13, 19, 25, August 2, 10, 16,24, 30, September 4,14, 21, 28, October 5 from 4pm to 6pm.  Call the San Pedro House at (520) 508-4445 for more information and to confirm schedule.

Don’t you now want to hold one of those precious little hummers and feel its heartbeat?   Plan on going to the San Pedro House on one of those dates above and come visit Bisbee.

San Pedro House (SPH) is only a 20-minute drive from Old Bisbee.  The address is 9800 Hwy 90 at the River, Sierra Vista, AZ 85650.  SPH opens daily 9:30am to 4:30pm.  Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas.  Visit their website for other events (bird walk, education forum, spring festival)  that may interest you.

San Pedro River also offers numerous photo opportunities.  Enjoy some of the beautiful photos take by Bisbee photographer Charlene Mitchell at the River HERE.

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A blog about Bisbee and Bisbee events by Gym Club Suites:

About us:  Originally built in 1903 as the YMCA, it is a registered historical landmark.  Renovated in the 1980′s into a 17-unit apartment building; now it is a popular vacation rental for long and short term stays.

For more info: www.gymclubsuites.com

To view our suites:  http://ow.ly/1TcVv

For Bisbee Events:  http://ow.ly/1SNm7

Follow us on Twitter:  www.twitter.com/BisbeeAzLodging

Facebook Page:   www.facebook.com/GymClubSuites

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Things to do in Bisbee Series: Enjoy a baseball game at the oldest ball park in Arizona

The Warren Ball Park in the Warren District of Bisbee, Arizona is the oldest professional ballpark in Arizona.  In 2009, we celebrated its 100th birthday.  To read more about the history of the ballpark and the famous players, including Babe Ruth –  click HERE.

The Warren Ball Park is the home of the newly formed Bisbee Ironmen.  Doubleheaders will be played every Friday and Saturday until July 6th.  The week following will be tournament week.  Schedule is subject to change.  So chick HERE to check the most current schedule and the tournament schedule.  You can also call 520-432-4372 for more information.

The Bisbee Ironmen are also on facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/bisbeeironmenbaseballinc.   Here you will see profile photos of the players as well as the players in action.  Some of the players are staying at the Gym Club Suites until July 15th.  Come say hello and get your baseball/cards autographed.

Warren Ball Park is also the home of the annual Copper City Classic Vintage Baseball Tournament.   The tournament is normally played at the end of March or the first part of April.  Read about the successful tournament in 2013 – Tournament, and see photos too.

The ballpark has been a venue for other events, such as the Bisbee Blues Festival (September 2009-2012) and Bisbee Youth Day (July/August 2012-2013).   During school year, it’s also the home of the Bisbee Pumas football team.

Directions from Old Bisbee:  80E to traffic circle.  Take 2nd right onto Bisbee Road.  Continue on Bisbee Road until it becomes Douglas Street.  Douglas Street will end at the ball park.

Addition reading:  Pride of the Ironmen dlvr.it/3bL0jk 

The Warren Ballbark  Arizona Experience

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A blog about Bisbee and Bisbee events by Gym Club Suites:

About us:  Originally built in 1903 as the YMCA, it is a registered historical landmark.  Renovated in the 1980′s into a 17-unit apartment building; now it is a popular vacation rental for long and short term stays.

For more info: www.gymclubsuites.com

To view our suites:  http://ow.ly/1TcVv

For Bisbee Events:  http://ow.ly/1SNm7

Follow us on Twitter:  www.twitter.com/BisbeeAzLodging

Facebook Page:   www.facebook.com/GymClubSuites

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Cochise College Douglas Campus Pit Fire Festival – update Nov 5, 2011

The 4th annual  Cochise College Pit Fire Festival is only 5 days away.

Found an awesome photo of last year’s (2010) pit fire.  It’s actually a curved trench.  It’s beautiful!  Wonder what new ideas they have for this year.

Place:  Cochise College Douglas Campus 4190 West Highway 80 • Douglas, AZ 85607

Date/Time:  November 10, 2011, Thursday, 5pm-9pm

Take a look at the video from last year’s pit fire for a glimpse of what to expect this year.

http://vimeo.com/stephencrout/cochisecollegepitfire2010

Read from our previous post on this special ceremics firing process.  http://wp.me/pBlmp-8X

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A blog about Bisbee and Bisbee events by Gym Club Suites:

About us:  Originally built in 1903 as the YMCA, it is a registered historical landmark.  Renovated in the 1980′s into a 17-unit apartment building; now it is a popular vacation rental for long and short term stays.

For more info: www.gymclubsuites.com

To view our suites:  http://ow.ly/1TcVv

For Bisbee Events:  http://ow.ly/1SNm7

Follow us on Twitter:  www.twitter.com/BisbeeAzLodging

Facebook Page:   www.facebook.com/GymClubSuites

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Cochise College Douglas Campus Pit Fire Festival – an event not to be missed if you’re in Bisbee

The 4th Annual Pit Fire Festival at Cochise College Douglas Campus is scheduled for November 10th 2011, Thursday 5pm – 9pm. 

Pit fire is a unique firing process which results in a beautiful and dramatic natural glaze.  Starting 10am Thursday morning, all the clay pieces made by the students from local high schools and colleges are placed into huge holes, 5-7 feet deep, in the ground.  Wood pallets will then be placed on top of the pieces.  Last year, 850 wood pallets were burned with temperature soaring up to 1500 degrees Farenheit.  Members of the community are welcome to add their clay pieces to the pits.  On Friday morning 10am, the pieces will be retrieved and cleaned for display.  There will be an exhibit in the gallery on campus at 6pm Saturday.

The Pit Fire Festival is celebrated with music from local musicians and bands, free food prepared and served by the College’s Culinary Arts Department, demonstrations, special appearance by Flam Chen http://flamchen.com, and last but not least, huge bonfires.  This free event is open to everyone, so bring your friends. 

Here’s a documentary produced by Stephen Crout & Tate Rich on the event with footage from the 2009 Pit Fire Festival: 

The Douglas Campus address is: 4190 West Highway 80 • Douglas, AZ 85607; phone number: 520-417-4046, ask for the Arts Department.

Douglas Campus Fall 2011 class schedule: http://issuu.com/cochisecollege/docs/cll_fall_2011_sked_layout_1

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A blog about Bisbee and Bisbee events by Gym Club Suites:

About us:  Originally built in 1903 as the YMCA, it is a registered historical landmark.  Renovated in the 1980′s into a 17-unit apartment building; now it is a popular vacation rental for long and short term stays.

For more info: www.gymclubsuites.com

To view our suites:  http://ow.ly/1TcVv

For Bisbee Events:  http://ow.ly/1SNm7

Follow us on Twitter:  www.twitter.com/BisbeeAzLodging

Facebook Page:   www.facebook.com/GymClubSuites

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YMCA – Bisbee Rec Center – Gym Club Suites

Twitter Bio:  Born 1903, I’m in the third phase of my life as vacation suites – the place to stay if you prefer big apartments at room rates.

The first phase of this handsome Italianate style building’s life was as YMCA, built by the Copper Queen Consolidated Mining Company in 1903.  The building has distinctive metalwork around the facade designed by architect F.E. Perkins.  Later the building bacame the recreation center of the city of Bisbee where boys and girls came to play, swim, bowl and dance.  The building was sold to the City of Bisbee in 1977 after the mine closed; later resold to investors who turned it into a 17-unit apartment building.  Started in 2006, it was gradually turned into nightly rentals as long term tenants left.  Now it is fully furnished for travelers to Bisbee and Southeast Arizona a place to curl up for the night ~ a home away from home, instead of just a hotel room.

For years, guests who came to stay at the Gym Club Suites would tell me:  I learned how to swim at the Rec Center; we  used to have dances in the gymnasium; there used to be a bowling alley in the basement;  we used to play pool right here.  But, when I asked, “do you have any pictures?”  The answer was always no. 

In July this year I caved in to the request of Joe to show him where the swimming pool of the Rec Center used to be.  As promised, there really was nothing to see.  The pool was covered up with plywood and the entire area was partitioned.   But, a couple of windows that remained gave us a good idea where exactly the pool was.  Joe, who grew up in Bisbee told me that his brother who was the director of the Rec Center in the 1960’s had pictures.  He promised to send me some .  Here are a couple.

Suite 101

The double swinging doors on the upper left corner of the photo are the same ones still being used today as the main entrance to the Gym Club Suites.

 

Boys playing snooker at the Bisbee Rec Center (early 1960s)

The second picture of the same snooker pool table shows more of the windows in the background.  The area behind the column is now Suite 101 of the Gym  Club Suites.  It still has the pretty windows, high ceiling and crown molding.  Unfortunately, the moldings below the windows are no longer there.

This part of the building is now Suite 101.  You can view photos and description of Suites 101 by clicking on this linke:  www.gymclubsuites.com/apt101.html.  Below is a current photo of the same corner show above.

Suite 101 lower level with high ceiling, large windows, 32" flat screen TV.

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A blog about Bisbee and Bisbee events by Gym Club Suites:

About us:  Originally built in 1903 as the YMCA, it is a registered historical landmark.  Renovated in the 1980′s into a 17-unit apartment building; now it is a popular vacation rental for long and short term stays.

For more info: www.gymclubsuites.com

To view our suites:  http://ow.ly/1TcVv

For Bisbee Events:  http://ow.ly/1SNm7

Follow us on Twitter:  www.twitter.com/BisbeeAzLodging

Facebook Page:   www.facebook.com/GymClubSuites

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Visit Bisbee Mule Mountain Juniper Flats Area

Last weekend, our suite 201 Rainbow’s End, was once again the bridal suite – this time for our beautiful bride Sharon.  The bride and groom had chosen the top of Mule Mountain in Bisbee to exchange their vows at sunset.  What a great idea!!  I hope the newlyweds will share with us some of their pictures.

The road up to the mountain top has recently been graded and the packed gravel road although steep at times is quite well maintained.  To go from Old Bisbee, take Hwy 80 W through the tunnel.  Turn right on Old Divide Road.  Once you’re on top of the tunnel, turn left onto Juniper Flats Road and continue up the mountain.  It is possible to go all the way up to the communication towers.

Al and Kelly Bossence of theBayfieldBunch.com who make their home in Arizona during the winter months the last few years explored the Mule Mountain this January.   Al wrote a wonderful blog with lots of beautiful pictures: http://thebayfieldbunch.com/2011/01/atop-tombstone-canyons-northern-edge.html.  Maybe it’ll inspire you to take a drive up there the next time you visit Bisbee.  (A couple of links on the article are no longer good.  There are the current links:  re. Todd Bogatay http://www.toddbogatay.com/; best retirement living – Bisbee http://www.frugal-retirement-living.com/retire-to-Bisbee.html.

Notes:  1.  You’ll need to get a permit from Bureau of Land Management to hold a wedding ceremony on BLM land.  2. If you’re interested in seeing more of Bisbee, go to Al’s photo Album https://plus.google.com/photos/117858411710794543295/albums/5412944773572742833?banner=pwa.  Al takes BEAUTIFUL pictures.

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A blog about Bisbee and events by Gym Club Suites:

About us:  Originally built in 1903 as the YMCA, a registered historical landmark;   renovated in the 1980′s into a 17-unit apartment building;  now it is fully furnished for travelers to Bisbee and Southeast Arizona a place to curl up for the night ~ a home away from home, instead of just a hotel room.

For more info: www.bisbeelandmark.com

To view our suites:  http://ow.ly/1TcVv

For Bisbee Events:  http://ow.ly/1SNm7

Follow us on Twitter:  www.twitter.com/BisbeeAzLodging

Facebook Page:   www.facebook.com/GymClubSuites

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