October 11, 2009
Got to Hafford's corner this morning at 8:30. Deena and Thomas came with me and Deena shot video as I gave a walking tour of Tombstone for the twenty-some riders who are in town for the very first Vendetta Ride co-sponsored by True West and Steve Shaw's Great American Adentures. Talked the talk, did the walk down Fourth Street to Fremont then west to Fly's, then around to Third Street yakking all the way, up to the corner where I told the Sherm McMasters story (Virgil Earp shot at him six times and missed), then all the way down Allen, stopping to describe mayhem and stabbings, shootings, morphine overdoses and bushwahackings. Ended at the deadliest intersection in the West (Fifth and Allen), then signed Classic Gunfight books for all the riders and we retired into the Crystal Palace for a memorial photo of the event.

Steve Shaw presented me with an honorary badge created specifically for the event. Then they were off to Mescal to ride the range out there, while we hit the road south.

Saw lots of history in Bisbee. Dropped one of my custom hats off at Optimo Hat Works to get a cleaning and shaping tweak on the brim (someone in Carefree said I looked like a "park ranger" and I just can't abide that).

Had a great breakfast at the Breakfast Club in Lowell (just south of Bisbee). Ate at Santiago's at the head of Brewery Gulch for dinner (excellent mole). Going to Nogales tomorrow.

Hiked up to the top of Cross Butte, which overlooks Bisbee. Great views all the way to Mexico.

Lots of laughs with my kids. Example:

"You sir, are a good liver."
—T. Bell, paraphrasing, or translating the French saying "Bon Vivant" into English