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The trip was three-fold: Tubac, Karchner Caverns and Bisbee. Four of us headed down south from the Phoenix area and discovered a whole new world to explore south of Tucson.

Tubac is a town of shops and galleries. We found as many dirt roads as paved ones as we meandered from shop to shop finding things we wondered how we ever survived without.

Karchner Caverns was the highlight. A guided tour took us underground to an unbelievable world of absolute beauty. Unfortunately, no cameras or cell phones are allowed inside the walls of this fascinating treasure.

Bisbee, the historic town on a hillside, probably has a lot going for it. But the cold wind got the better of us, so we ate lunch, checked out the mine pit and then drove a short distance to whimsical and even more historic town of Lowell.

It was a good trip, and I'd recommend a visit to all the sights we visited.

Bisbee, a quaint hlllside town of around 5000 people, is known for its copper mine which existed from the 1880 until its closure in 1985. Tours of the Queen Mine are said to be exceptional and a draw to the town. Its tour guides are former miners. The historic district is also interesting, dotted with shops and antique stores.

Known today as an artists' colony, Tubac has a population of just over 1000 people, most, I would imagine being shop and gallery owners. It would be quite easy to spend a day there shopping for most anything: garden ornaments, fine art and not-s0-fine art, furniture, clothing and yep, even dammit dolls.

If you're visiting Bisbee, visit the ghost town of Lowell as well. It'll take you back a few decades as you witness old cars, trucks and shop windows along Erie Street. You may want to call it Eerie Street. Located southeast of Bisbee, it was once populated by mine workers.