For my last birthday my daughter and
son-in-law gave me an America The Beautiful park pass. It allows me
free entry into all of the National Parks. Well... I dusted that baby
off and made good use of it today. I spent the morning at Montezuma
Castle and Tuzigoot (pronounced toozie-goo). Montezuma Castle was
awesome! Stories passed down through the generations of local Hopi
indians... many of whom report they are direct descendants of the
earlier inhabitants who left in 1425... is the only history experts
have of this place.
Archeologists have discovered this
tribe were salt miners and farmers. Apparently pottery was not their
strong suit... however trading their salt for pottery gave them the
most beautiful pottery collection ever. The most interesting find
were fossil bones of a macaw... a bird that came from Mexico...
leading historians to the conclusion that even traders all the way
from Mexico came to trade for salt.
The castle is built out of limestone,
clay and mud. Harsh weather would erode the front. To protect it, the
women would gather clay from the river and apply a fresh coat every 3
years or so. The process still continues today, using only clay and
supplies found in the area... just like the indians did many
generations ago... explaining the different coloring on the building.
This castle... or living community
reminded me so much of Acrosanti that I visited the day before. The
indian families who lived in Montezuma built their home on a south
facing mountain to allow for passive solar heating in the winter, and
shade in the summer. The same is true of Acrosanti. The only real
difference being the indians built their home into a mountain, Paolo
Soleri is creating his own mountain with cement.
Next I traveled to Jerome... an honest
to goodness ghost town. I really wished someone else was driving up
the twisty, curvy, steep mountain road. Not because I was scared...
no... because I wanted to look at the breath taking scenery and snap
a few photos. I just couldn't do both at the same time... and not
careen off the mountain. My ears kept popping as I ascended 5,000
feet.
I was told I just HAD to go to Jerome,
that I would LOVE it. Well... I liked it well enough, but didn't LOVE
it. Yes, it was quirky... yes it has it's own 'attitude'... yes it
was 'artsy' and so glad I went... but I was disappointed with how
many shops sold things made in other countries that they were trying
to pawn off as 'local'. Also... jewelry was a big item. I watched as
guy after guy stood by as the female tried on piece after piece of
turquoise jewel to find the 'perfect' item her sweetie would have to
shell out plenty of wampum for. This scene was repeated store after
store after store. I don't know... maybe it's me... but I don't
define that as fun.
To me... people watching was so much
more fun. Oh how I wish I knew someone with a motorcycle. The weather
was beautiful, the scenery fabulous. I was so jealous of the couples
riding up and around the mountain roads just enjoying the day. I got
the biggest kick spotting old VW Beetles, rusty Ford Flatbed Trucks,
jalopies and a turquoise painted motorcycle with a side car
delivering pizzas!
Jerome is an old copper mining town.
Saloons and brothels were the mainstay businesses 'back in the day'.
Many colorful stories abound... and one particular store aptly named
“Store of Joy” caters to the history of the local brothels. Now
THAT was a store which caught my interest. When the mines dried up,
so did the town, leaving it vacant. About 100 locals remained and
re-invented the town as a 'ghost town'... relaying and embellishing
stories from the past.
The town is built on the side of a
mountain with a 30 degree incline. Over time gravity pulled quite a
few of the buildings down... including the town jail... much to the
cheers of the prisoners!!
Late in the afternoon I headed to
Sedona... up historic highway 89A. So far all I have seen as far as
scenery goes is brown and tan with dots of green mountains. All of a
sudden as I look into the distance is... HOLY COW... the most
gorgeous mountains striped in red!!! SPECTACULAR!!! They are far off
in the distance and hiding behind a sheer film of haze... but their
majestic beauty shines through. I can't wait to get there!!! Do I
hear angels singing???
Pictures will have to come later... I can't get this extremely S-L-O-W internet connection to upload them. UGH!
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