Adam Karolzak might not be on a par with the wise men just because he rode a camel during the Christmas season - but he sure loved the view from atop the big beast.
"It was fun! I liked being up so high!" said Adam, 9, after a short camel-back spin this week at a Christmas tree lot.
An Oregon company called West Coast Camels brought a pair of dromedary camels to Tucson and offered seasonal-themed rides near the Rick's Christmas Trees lot, at North Craycroft and East River roads.
The rides were held for several weeks in the pre-Christmas season and wrapped up Wednesday. Fees were $7 per rider, or $5 with the purchase of a Christmas tree.
"I like seeing the kids' faces as they ride," said Nathan Bryant, manager of the camel concession. "They really get a kick out of it."
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Bryant said the rides, lasting just a few minutes, included stops so riders could be photographed aboard the camels - named Frank and Calvin.
"It was bumpy and fun," said 10-year-old Carly Denning at the end of her first ride on a camel.
Her brother, Jake, 13, was barely off Frank's back before he was talking about a second camel cruise.
"That was awesome!" he said. "I'll try it again."
For some riders, a camel excursion has religious significance. Some accounts refer to three wise men riding camels to visit a recently born Jesus.
Six-year-old James Karolzak saw his camel ride as a steppingstone to bigger things.
"I liked it," James said. "I want to ride an elephant next."
Contact reporter Doug Kreutz at dkreutz@azstarnet.com or at 573-4192.
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