Today was an interesting day. We took a daytrip to Apache Junction, AZ to try to find the Superstition Mountains. I say "try to find" because maps around these parts often just drift off, roads stop and start with no real consistency, and we're often left driving round and round the places we want to go with no way of knowing how to get
in there. If you follow. But today, our maps rang true and we found the mountains we were seeking. We also found a great deal more, and I was very pleased. When we arrived there was a dust storm, but once that passed, well...see for yourself:

this was the view from the Canyon Lake Overlook in Tonto National Forest. There were a few lucky boaters out there, and this picture doesn't do the water justice. It was a clear, glittering turquoise--really beautiful. It was also noticeably cooler here, at this elevation--only 86 or so, as opposed to the 104 we are used to down in the valley.

Just around that huge lake was a strange shanty-town of sorts. Tortilla Flat, Arizona boasted a General Store, a restaurant, a post office, and a schoolhouse-turned-museum. There was also a Motel on the end with two very decrepit looking rooms, but the sign had been marked through with CHALK to let you know they weren't renting anymore. It is literally the town time forgot, and since the road turns to dust just past this stop, not many people remember to visit it either. There were a few that were obviously like us, taking a trip to see what we could see, and I'm sure they get some business from the marina down the street, but it was otherwise pretty desolate out there.
Along with Wyatt Earp, they also claim that Clark Gable, John Wayne, the Dirty Dozen and Colonel Sanders liked to stop in from time to time. snazzy.
THEN on the way down, we had more breathtaking views (again, this doesn't do it justice, there was no place to stop and get a decent picture, so at 40 MPH:
Then Carson talked us into stopping at this ghost town, and we're so glad we did! We thought it looked hokey from the road, but it was really pretty fun. 
It was really an old mining town started by the Lost Dutchman, Jacob Walz, and turned into a spectacularly cheesy tourist town, but we dug it. There was a "Jail", a Livery where you could rent horses for the day, a church you could get married in, an old mine to explore, even a "Bordello" (only $2!) and tons of fantastic views of the mountains surrounding us. 




They ALSO had a train station (full of Thomas paraphenalia, I might add. Time has certainly kept marching through
this area.) that promised a real train ride through the ghost town complete with a grizzly Mr. Conductor who'd tell witty historical stories about the area complete with random cactus jokes. Where else are we gonna get this? So we bought tickets and waited for the train.


Fresh mountain air and the promise of a train ride make for some really well-behaved children! Must note this for future reference!




The Superstition Mountains Ghost town from the train. Superstition Mountains follow. Some people think the government has a secret lair in these rocks, which tries to explain why most people who venture out too far in them end up shot. Or abducted by aliens. Aliens are always hanging out around top secret military installations. duh.




you think this is a lot of pictures? wait till we go on vacation! And we weren't even done with the day yet--more to come! LOL
2 comments:
Okay, next time I am out there, I need you to take me on a tour. I have seen Superstition Mountain many times but never have had time to explore. Sounds like you all had a great time!
SOOOOOOOO jealous!
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