Now that John’s soccer tournament was behind us and we’d caught up with his friends in Colorado, we finally reached the part of the trip we had been craving: no schedules, no deadlines, just open roads. While I was browsing maps and plotting our next move, a couple of Facebook messages popped up. My mom and cousin David suggested we visit Tombstone, Arizona—the legendary Wild West town. A quick check confirmed it was only 2.5 hours away, a comfortable driving distance for us. Decision made: Tombstone, here we come!

Tombstone is famous for the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, but it’s also home to a vibrant mix of history and quirky charm. We stayed at a Harvest Host location, planning for one night but ended up staying a few extra days. This worked out perfectly because John the Rockstar Husband Laverty came down with a touch of the flu, and the extra time let him rest and recover.

Our host gave us free rein to pick a spot, so we parked along the edge of town, bordering beautiful BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land. The view was incredible: vast desert stretches dotted with scrub and cactus. Wildlife sightings made it even better. On the first day, a majestic buck wandered by, and the second day brought an entire herd of deer. Sadly, we didn’t spot any javelinas, but at least we knew our campsite was safe from their infamous campsite raids.

Tombstone is a year-round tourist destination, filled with daily gunfight reenactments, historical photo ops, and plenty of stories. Our host gave us a booklet detailing the town’s rich and rowdy past, which added context as we explored. One of my highlights was the Bird Cage Theatre. Built in the 1880s, it survived multiple fires that destroyed most of Tombstone’s main drag. Originally a theater, the Bird Cage was better known as a “house of negotiable affection,” as our guide delicately put it. The building now serves as a museum, filled with artifacts like the town’s last horse-drawn hearse.

Meanwhile, John sniffed out a tiny brewery in town for an evening outing. We grabbed a quick drink while a DJ played 1950s country music on the dog-friendly patio. The brewery served only beer, which left me contemplating whether I should start embracing hops if I want to keep up with my Rockstar Husband’s brewery adventures (LOL).

We also took a day trip to nearby Bisbee, a historic mining town nestled in the Mule Mountains. The steep streets and colourful buildings reminded us of a smaller, Old West version of San Francisco. Our first stop was “The Table,” a dog-friendly restaurant where we enjoyed a quick meal. Afterward, we explored the town’s shops and galleries. Before leaving, we discovered Old Bisbee Brewing Company. Perched on the side of the mountain, the brewery featured a deck with board games for guests. While we skipped the games, we enjoyed a drink as the chihuahuas napped and we watched the world go by.

Our last evening in Tombstone was quiet. I caught John’s flu, so we kept things low-key with a leisurely walk around town. We didn’t see any javelinas, but the calming desert air was a balm for both of us.

Neither of us usually go for souvenirs, but this time, we each found something to remember Tombstone by—a fitting tribute to a place where the past lingers in every corner, along with John’s flu.