Mines and Vines: a trip to Arizona's South

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Copper Mine train

Copper Mine HDR 4

Copper Mine HDR 2

Copper Mine HDR 1

Copper Mine HDR 3

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Bisbee HDR

Bisbee

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When people visit us from overseas, it is always a challenge to come up with new trips, destinations close-by that are yet unexplored. After visiting Las Vegas for more than three times in a year, the Grand Canyon more times than I can count and the Sonoran Desert Museum until I know all Flora and Fauna by heart, we had to come up with something else. And one of the most visited towns in Arizona happens to be: Bisbee.

A mining town, that turned out to be one of the richest mineral sites in the world. Because of the successful mining industry, it was the largest city between St Louis and San Francisco, in the early 1900's. When the mines finally closed in the 1970's, a great depopulation occurred when people left to look for jobs elsewhere. Now the town runs on tourism and sees an influx of creative spirits, turning it into an alternative and laid-back destination.

The main attraction is, however, still the mine. The Queen Copper Mine offers daily tours and has a museum. At the start of the tour you are given a helmet, sexy yellow jacket, a tight belt and a light. Fully equipped you then mount the little train that takes you deep into the mine. At the first stop the guide took us up a couple of steps, into a big area they were once clearing with dynamite. All the guides used to actually work in this mine at some point, so they can tell you everything from experience. And show you photos of themselves working, of which they were very very proud.

We continued the tour with another ride on the train (my favorite part) a couple of hundred feet further down the tracks. The next stop was a short walk along old carts, which were pushed by sixteen-year olds on a twelve-hour shift, mining equipment and a dynamite demonstration (no bangs, unfortunately). He also showed us the portable toilet. A dixie on rails, basically, not to be mistaken for the food cart. And his favorite tool for initiating youngsters...

After the 1 hour tour we returned our fashionable outfit and drove into 'Old Bisbee'. A little bigger and more charming than Tombstone, but just as fake. The main building is the Queen Copper hotel and further down the street you can find a ton of antique shops and some cafe's.

The hotel restaurant was unfortunately under construction so we bought lunch had a charming little coffeeshop on the other side of the road. We then strolled along Main St for a while, which is only interesting if you are looking for antiques...But we had our minds set on something else you can get in this part of Arizona: wine.

On our way back to Tucson we drove through Sonoita, also called the Napa valley of the South. Or so they wish. But believe it or not, Arizona does have a lot of wineries in the area between Tucson and Wilcox. The local tourist offices have more than one map with possible 'wine routes'. You bring your own glass and can taste more wines than you can count, for only a couple of dollars per winery. (the downside is that you do need a DD, walking will take you a week). This time we stopped for a tasting at 'Arizona Hops and Vines', an hour drive from Bisbee.

A hipster bar, that claims to be 'not your average winery'. It is indeed down to earth, small, and has the typical Sonoita bad wines. Trust me, you go to the Arizona wineries for fun, not French quality alcohol. I only liked their dessert wine, the rest was more use as vinegar in my salad. It didn't matter, though, the atmosphere there was good and they have a lovely patio with an amazing view. A nice ending to a lovely day down South!