I've gotten into this sick routine here in the desert - turning off the car AC and rolling down the windows. I suppose it is a test to see how much heat I can actually take. But honestly, I am also a little freaked out about the car possibly breaking down in the middle of the desert. Richie thinks my fear is just silly.
Do you have any idea what 100 degrees feels like? In case you don't - take it from us - it's hot. Damn hot!
Today's agenda: The Apache Trail
The Apache Trail was once used as a stage coach and freight wagon route from Mesa, Arizona to Globe, Arizona.
It is swarmed with the quintessential Saguaro Cactus.
The kind ladies at the Superstition Mountain Museum at the start of the trail gave us a map and a few suggestions. Turns out the museum itself was the site of an old movie set - Apacheland. Little did we know what a treasure we'd just happened upon.
There was a jail, barber shop, Wells Fargo bank, gallows, a set of plastic horses "pulling" a carriage, a real (soon-to-be-working again) 20-stamp ore crusher, and an Elvis Presley Memorial Chapel.
Check out the museum's website here.
A few miles later, we stopped at the ghost town tourist trap of Goldfield - an 1892 gold mining town that was reconstructed in the 1980's. You can pan for gold or watch a reenactment of a gun fight. We got there pretty early and just browsed. They've done a great job rebuilding the area.
The paved road ended at Tortilla Flat - a good place to break and try prickly pear ice cream. It is quite tasty - like strawberry and raspberry combined. (Psst... A prickly pear cactus is pictured above. Doesn't look too appetizing, does it? They actually use the cactus fruit to make the ice cream. No prickly things in the ice cream.)
There is a 22 mile section of the Apache Trail that is a dirt road. The speed limit is 25 and the road is often single lane.
This route presented spectacular views of the mountains and ecosystems, but also the stupidity of people. There is a very large sign at the beginning of the trail that says no vehicles over 40 feet are allowed on the road.
We passed at least 3 RV's - two of them pulling boats.
It was a very scary experience having to pull "off" the road next to a large sandstone wall while these IDIOTS dragged their RV's and boats UPHILL!
Whew - thanks for letting me get that off my chest!
Views of the Theodore Roosevelt Dam were incredible.
Some neat facts:The Theodore Roosevelt Dam was originally named the Tonto Basin Dam, but was renamed after President Roosevelt's approval.
- Built between 1903 and 1911
- 280 feet high
- Cost: $10 million
- Renovated from 1989 to 1996
- now 357 feet high
- Cost: $430 million
We made it to Tonto National Monument an hour before closing time. The ranger told us we only had time to view the lower dwellings (half mile trail, 350 foot elevation). We later found out that we just missed the half-day guided tours that take visitors to the upper dwellings. They are only on Saturdays in the spring - bummer! Unfortunately, it is bee season and there were signs everywhere warning visitors of the "aggressive" bee population. We were only able to get within 50 feet of the cliff dwellings. We were bummed... but thankful. We weren't in the mood to experience an "aggressive" bee sting.
Just a side note here...
We decided to suck it up and purchase a more stable bike rack. Luckily Phoenix had an REI, and we were able to acquire all pieces for a "fork mount" rack.
Don't worry, the front tires are safely in the car. :)
Oh yeah, and if you do one thing in Phoenix... spend the day at The Heard Museum. It is worth every cent and every minute.
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