LIFE IN THE PAST LANE We like Juneau and Bisbee for some of the same reasons. Unfortunately, Juneau is drifting toward anywhere USA. Bisbee discovered "what it's got", BEFORE IT WAS GONE!! They rejected Wal-Mart and have not destroyed their town, to put up another bad imitation of Disneyland. There's a bumper sticker sold in Bisbee that says: "WELCOME TO BISBEE = LIFE IN THE PAST LANE".

We discovered Bisbee in 1975 and were immediately attracted.

THE END & THE BEGINNING Bisbee is truly into tolerance, if not brotherly love. Mexican-Americans, old WASPS, Hippies, Gays & Lesbians, YUPPIES and folks like us all sort of get along together. We don't really fit any of the categories (except maybe old WASPS). I think the tolerance comes out of Bisbee's recent history.

In 1975, when Phelps Dodge closed it's Bisbee copper mining operation, the town fell on very hard times. Houses in pretty good shape could be had for $5,000 and rundown properties sold for as little as $500. A lot of folks thought it was all over.

I guess you could say that Hippies moved in and helped save Bisbee, probably by borrowing the $500 from their parents. It's interesting architecture and history gave Bisbee hope for a future.

BISBEE'S WAY BACK Bed & Breakfasts began popping up, as did Art Galleries and Eateries, but in a less Yuppie form than in most other places. As an example, a large and nicely restored B & B opens for a few months, then closes while the folks who own it spend down. When the account gets low it opens for a few more months. They work hard, but not to buy a lot of stuff they don't need. Small businesses come and go, then something else pops up to fill the space. For many years, a former gas station has been occupied by the town's VW mechanic. I haven't seen so many original Bugs since the '60's.

Bisbee attracts folks in many ways, including a good climate, museums, mine tours, restaurants, art galleries and bicycle races.

QUEEN MINE TOUR