As was becoming the norm on this trip, Tucson was hot.

And when we say hot, we mean hot - in Tucson we were hitting 103 degrees.

Not that we weather-beaten Brits are complaining of course, but it is just an indication of the climate backdrop that these Arizona residents enjoy on a daily basis.

After two days of checking out the delights that the Westward Look resort had to offer (which we shall review in-depth at a later date) Thursday was time to head out and take in some local culture.

Heading across town and over the mountains, we decided to spend the day at both the Arizona Desert Museum and the Old Tucson Studios.

With a picturesque drive taking you out there you can feel the isolation, but most definitely in a good way.

It really seems like you, nature and not much else and at the Desert Museum you get to see that nature up close and personal.

With prarie dogs, coyotes, javelinas and much more in a natural environment, the park is an absolute must for any animal lovers.

There are plenty of great exhibits and when placed inside the stunning environment it is a real winner.

The same environment comes into play at the Studios, home of countless western movies over the years.

Just four miles down the road, this film set turned tourist attraction may be trading on past glories to a certain degree, but when those glories include playing host to the likes of John Wayne, Clint Eastwood and Burt Lancaster that is no bad thing.

A knowledgable host walks you around the town, throwing out film titles at a rapid rate and we shall certainly be checking out the likes of Rio Lobo on our return.

And there is plenty more to enjoy, with staged gunfights, can-can performances and even a haunted mine to savour.

It was a great way to round off our time in the Old West, and after packing our bags it is time to head to the city of Houston.

In Texas we are staying in the Galleria district, an up-market shopping area of a city that has become the fourth-largest in the United States.

Our final blog entry will wrap up our time in Houston, complete with visits to the Museum District, the Zoo, the sports stadiums and, of course, NASA's Space Center.