BISBEE

To finish up Shawn's birthday month I convinced him that we needed to get away for a weekend.  We've been wanting to visit Bisbee, also known as Mayberry on acid, for years.  This past weekend we finally made it a priority to go.  I was so sad to leave the girls but it was much needed.  It had been three years since we had a vacation alone.

We were about half way there and the dark clouds began to roll in.

And then the crazy rain storm came.

I thought the drive would be a drab but once we got through Tucson it was really nice and much different than I expected.

When we arrived we headed straight to Old Bisbee Brewing Company.  We started with a flight.

We got a tour from their lead brewers, Sam.  They have a really cool setup, tight with space but cool. One thing that stood out to me as being somewhat ignorant was how sanitary everything was.  Top notch brewery.  And I'm kicking myself for not getting a filled growler.

 Had to get a pic of the infamous sign.

After drinks and a tour we walked to Queen Mine for a tour.  

It was interesting and I'm glad we went but we've checked that off the list and won't be doing it again. We probably were also anxious to end the tour about half way through because we started to get hangry.

After the tour it was time to check into our hotel.  We stayed at the San Ramon.  It was fine, the best part was the location.  We were laughing because it seems to fit most people as there was a bottle opener on the dresser and ear plugs on the nightstands.

As I mentioned above we were so hungry so we headed to Contessa's Cantina, a recommendation from the bartender at Old Bisbee Brewery.  Hands down the best chips and salsa ever!  So good!  We sat on the patio and enjoyed the view and the weather.

After dinner we headed back to where most of the bars are.  We played tourist for awhile and ended the night at St Elmo's Bar.  The decor was interesting with a claw machine filled with stuffed animals and adult unmentionables.

Friday night the town was somewhat dead and we were tired so we called it an early night and headed to the hotel.

Saturday we headed to breakfast to Ana's Seasonal Kitchen, another recommendation.  Ana prides herself on getting the freshest ingredients, hence the name.  Great food!

After breakfast we walked the streets and checked out some shops.  We found a store that had a bunch of old school candy that we had to get for the girls.  They loved the pop rocks.  And since Ava especially is all about her rock collection, we got them some awesome rocks we knew they'd love.  Later they told us we were the best.

We then headed to Beast Brewing.  There we had views of the San Jose mountains in Mexico and where I fell in love with their seasonal lime brew.

We then headed to Santiago's for some appetizers and another beer then it was back to Old Bisbee Brewery.  We enjoyed the patio and talked with a local for awhile until Colleen and her crew met us there.

Note: I was laughing because the lady taking the picture thought she was getting video and well I love one their IPA's.

We hung out on the patio enjoying the weather (it was sprinkling), the beers, each other, and popcorn.  We ended up being forced inside because it started pouring rain.  We were all huddled around one table in the small crowded brewery and when the rain wasn't stopping we decided to have another round of beers.  After that beer we braved the rain and headed to another bar.  It was at that point we decided we were just going to hang out together the rest of the night.  After some bar hopping we headed to dinner at the Screaming Banshee.  By the time we got there we were soaked.  Warm summer time rain is the best!

After dinner we headed back to St Elmo's for the live band and then called it a night.
The next morning we headed to Bisbee breakfast club.  Shawn ordered a "side" of biscuits and gravy. Whaaat!  It was huge.

I often have dreams of being an itinerant to see the world but for now while our kiddos are young these trips will have to do.  We had the best time and can't wait to go back.  We really want to check out the Kartchner Caverns sometime so hopefully that will be the perfect excuse.

We had some amazing family that watched our girls and we were so thankful.  Saturday they also watched their cousins.  I was hesitant, that's a lot of kids, but they insisted it was fine.