Beginning of May

How is it May? No really... We got married like a couple days ago, moved to Arizona, and now we've begun packing and planning our next big move. Where did the past 2 years go?! This month is going to be crazy, that's for sure! More on that later though. :)

But now, on to our weekend! We started off with an Astronomy Research Recognition Ceremony. It was basically a little gathering where all the Astronomy graduating seniors shared what they had done research on and were given plaques. There are 10 seniors graduating with degrees in Astronomy!

On Saturday, we hit the road for a day trip. Here, I am imitating Charlotte's concern about her daddy leaving us in the Jeep while getting gas. It makes her so anxious - where is he going, when is he coming back and why can't I go too!!

First stop was to the ghost town of Sasco, AZ. It was rather hot here, in the high 90's with no shade! Charlotte enjoyed running around and chasing lizards and kangaroo rats.

Sasco (the name of the town, and an acronym for Southern Arizona Smelter Company) is kind of in the middle of nowhere, but it is a popular area for paint ball. Once we visited the site, we could tell why - the ruins of one of the buildings made an awesome maze! We enjoyed walking through and checking out all the hallways and rooms.

 This place used to be the premier smelting site for mining in Southwest Arizona. In the early 1900's, it was home to about 600 people, and the smelter employed about 175 men. However, in 1909, the owner had to file for bankruptcy due to mining issues in Tombstone. Then in 1919, the Spanish Influenza struck the area and wiped out the area, and then the Silverbell mine closed in 1921. Finally, in 1933, most of the buildings here were demolished, along with the train tracks that ran through the area. 

However, all that remains is still interesting and worth visiting. The above picture and the next 6 pictures are all of the same large building! It's just unfortunate how vandalized the area is. 

It was on this trip that we learned that Charlotte has a real interest in ghost towns and ruins like we do! Not only does she get to see what remains, but I'm pretty sure she was picking up on some interesting smells as well. ;)

This area is West of Red Rock, AZ, and gives a very unique view of Picacho Peak. I remember feeling so proud of hiking it last November, but from here, it really doesn't look that impressive!

The Smelter!

Usually when we're out walking, it takes some convincing to get Charlotte to go back to the Jeep, but on this very warm day she was more than ready to get back and have some water! (Drank straight from my water bottle!)

After this, we did a quick visit to Casa Grande National Monument. It always amazes us how big and intricate these ruins are! Having grown up in the Midwest, whenever we think about the Native Americans, we always picture teepees or wickiups. But down here, they really have some amazing ruins that we've enjoyed visiting - such as Montezuma Castle, Wupatki, and Walnut Canyon!

"Casa Grande" is Spanish for big house. These ruins would have been the largest structure on site - this building was 4 stories tall! We're thankful for the National Park services for doing all they can to preserve it now.

Charlotte also enjoying sniffing around this area. :) I love her curiosity! 

After this, we drove to Gilbert where we were able to attend the middle school musical that Curtis' sister's school was putting on, and then enjoying dinner and catching up with Lydia and Jeff. Charlotte enjoyed sniffing around their entire back yard, as usual. 

We stopped for our Krispy Kreme doughnuts - something we must do every time we are in Phoenix - and then drove home. While we were driving, it looked like there were rainstorms in the distance with lightning flashing, but we soon realized that what looked like patches of rain turned out to be clouds of dust! It wasn't that bad and didn't affect the roads, but it was pretty epic!

And that was our weekend - have a great week everyone! :)

A Day Spent in Ghost Towns

 Saturday, April 12, 2014

Today we visited several ghost towns - completely different meanings of the phrase "ghost town", but all somehow earning that title. It's days like this when I feel like a true South-westerner. Driving down quiet hilly highways and bumpy dirt roads, hiking several miles to find an old mining town, seeing a snake and worrying about other wildlife (but comforted by the fact that someone is carrying!), and having a sarsaparilla in an old saloon. I'm so glad I've gotten to experience all these while I'm living here!

Now, for the events of the day: We met up with our friends, Mitch and Roxy, and drove to Cochise County. After picking up letterboxes on the way, we made it to the trailhead for our hike. Destination: Contention, today's first ghost town. There used to be a mining community as well as a train that ran through, now there is nothing. Literally - it was probably the most deserted trail we've ever hiked. 

We first went for a letterbox that was hidden around the area of an old Presidio - which translated basically means Spanish military fort. There were mostly just old foundations and adobe walls scattered around. The fort is dated back to the 1770's! We just walked around a little loop trail and looked at the remnants before going on our way.

The next bit of history that we walked on was where the old railroad tracks used to be, as far back as the 1800's. As I mentioned before, a train used to run from here to Tucson & other places, but when the mining community shut down and the World Wars were going on, they tore up the railroad for the iron, and pictured below is what remains.

We walked quite a ways down this rocky path, until we came upon the San Pedro River. Here we crossed, and on the other side found 2 letterboxes and our ghost town.

Finally, we reached the area where Contention used to be. There are no remains of the buildings that used to stand, but here you can find some pictures and more details on the area.

Below - Much to my delight, the square hole in the rock turned out not to be a giant snake den, but a small, cooled room. :)

Above - the sky was amazing all day! I loved these striped clouds.

After getting all letterboxes, we sat down for a picnic on the "beach" next to the small river. It was so quiet and peaceful, besides some rock throwing of course!

We finally packed up and walked back down the trail to the car. Altogether, today's hike was around 6 miles.

We drove to another nearby ghost town called Fairbanks. It's kind of a little historical village set up, and reminded me of one I used to visit back in Iowa called Usher's Ferry.

It was a quiet area but had quite a few more tourists, (probably because there wasn't a 6 mile hike to see it!) and we only went in one building.

This is the old schoolhouse, we enjoyed trying out the old desks and drawing on the chalk board. :)

Finally, our last stop and ghost town was Tombstone. Unlike the others, people still live in this town, and it is only called a ghost town because there is no longer any mining being done. It's now a Western-themed town (they really play up the movie "Tombstone"!) and you can enjoy all sorts of tourist attractions. Our first visit was to the old county courthouse.

After walking down the old Western street, we finally went for dinner at Big Nose Kate's Saloon. You can always tell what restaurants are good by how many people are there eating, and this place was packed! It was our second time visiting, and it was a great experience. 

Of course it's Curtis' first time going to a saloon as a 21 year old, and since he didn't drive he was able to enjoy a beer. :)

Oh, this was his 16 oz. burger too! :)

We finished the day with one last short hike at sunset. The sky was incredible!

And that was our weekend! :)