It's the depth of winter here in Tucson (a not too-bone chilling 70 degrees today) and the tents are starting to up around town for the annual Tucson Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Showcase, the largest such event in the world, with 50,000+ sellers and buyers in town participating in 40-50 independent shows, starting at the end of the month and continuing up through the56th annual Tucson Gem & Mineral Show, Feb 11-14.
[right, tents under construction across the street from the AZGS offices. My photo 1-9-10]