AUGUST 28, 2006
VISIT "OLD TUCSON STUDIOS" & DESERT MUSEUM FOLLOWED BY REHEARSAL

Today we got an early start and headed out to Old Tucson Studios, which is a wild west themed attraction. The movie "Three Amigos" and the TV show "Little House on the Prairie" were filmed here. We watched a stunt show while some of the delegates learned the can can dance. We took a train ride around the park and were "robbed" by bandits looking for gold. After a lunch provided by the theme park, we enjoyed ice cream and then headed to the Desert Museum, which is essentially an outdoor wildlife museum. We saw many different varieties of cactus including the Saguaro cactus (pronounced Sah-WAR-o) which only grows about 1 inch per year (the "arms" of the cactus can take 75 years to grow). Our tour guide showed us otters (who knew?!?), coatchi (which are like a cross between a racoon, possum, & fox...odd little critters), and we even saw scorpions. It was 103 degrees outside which is a bit on the hot side for a girl from the north! We have rehearsal tonight after dinner from 7-10, and then it's off to bed! Another amazing day in the desert!

PHOTOS:
1) Mrs. Idaho & I waiting for the bus.
2) Mrs. Kentucky, Mrs. Wisconsin, & I in the hotel lobby.
3) Waiting to go into "Old Tucson Studios" (Mrs. ID, MS, MN, OR)
4) By the "Welcome Mrs. America" sign as we entered the park.
5) Mrs. Montana & I check out the "Saloon" (where the can can girls performed).
6) Mrs. Arkansas & I try out the can can dancer pose.
7) This is my "I'm scared!" face (luckily we didn't get too close to the scorpions!)
8) Mrs. IA, WI, & I at rehearsal.