Scenic Drive

February 19, 2015

Thanks to my good friend Kim Plummer for giving me the book “The Most Scenic Drives in America” by Reader’s Digest as a birthday gift.  This is and will be a very good book for our upcoming journeys.  While in Casa Grande, we found a loop near us and decided to take a day for this 145 mile drive.  Well, we actually took it backwards.

We started at Apache Junction where we headed northeast instead of northwest.   Due to the length of the drive and the fact that there were school busloads of kids unloading, we decided to forgo the first stop… Boyce Thompson Arboretum. 

Tunnel for the old road

Beautiful Striations

On the trip between Apache Junction and Globe, we found an old road that had once been the original highway through Queen Creek Canyon.  We love exploring old roads and highways because they give a different perspective from the new and straightened out ones.  We found a pull off and a way to hike down to the old road.  From this picture, you can see the new highway and the following the old tunnel through rock.   The striations of rock created a really full 3-D effect.  We even found some wild flowers starting to bloom out of the rocks and a century plant growing from the vertical side of a rock.  It felt like a trip back in time even with the modern highway buzzing over our heads.

Century Plant growing out of the rock

Wild Flowers

Copper Mine

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back on the road as we arrived near Globe, we came across this rather ugly landscape.  Copper mines seem to be everywhere in Arizona.  I recognize their importance in the economy and providing jobs; however, they forever change the landscape of the area and that’s a hard pill to swallow in such a beautiful environment.

Original Roof Structure

View from Below

 

 

Our next stop was at Tonto National Monument.  I have never seen actual adobe ruins so this stop was very exciting for me.  The climb to this cave dwelling was rather steep with exposed edges, so I had to keep my eye on the trail to avoid vertigo.  But when I reached the destination… what an awesome site!  I took some photos of the inside but because of the closeness, it was hard to present a good perspective.  The guide at the top gave some insight to the lives of the people who lived here. The Salados Indians used the natural structure of caves in this area to build their homes.  This one was east facing, so it had the benefit of the warm sun in the mornings and then was cool in the afternoons as the sun headed westward.  The cave also provided good protection from the spring rains.  They typically built two story structures and the guide told me that they spent a lot of time on the roofs during the summer because of the heat.  I found the structure interesting because they had to find sturdy structures such as trees to create the beams for the roofs.  Trees are not that numerous in this area and transporting them up to cave had to be some small feat.  They used the nature holes the caves as the rear support for these beams.  The roofs and second floor beams were first topped with dead Saguaro.  (When a Saguaro dies, it leaves behind rather spindly fronds.)  Then it was topped with a type of mud that dried to form a sturdy floor or roof.  I was amazed that one room still had the original structure intact.  All in all it was a really cool visit.

Mike in front of the Dam

Next we stopped at the Theodore Roosevelt Dam.  According to the book, this dam was dedicated in 1911 and is the world’s largest masonry dam.  It felt funny to see such a large body of water in the desert.

Back side of Dam

 

 

 

Scenic Drive

Between the dam and Fish Creek Hill is a 22 mile one-lane dirt road.  It is well graded with a few washboard areas but is a very slow ride.  The views, however were really worth it.  Around every corner there was a new and different perspective from massive vertical rock walls to caves and vertical drop offs.  Of course, the drop-offs were on the passenger side.  (Don’t look down, Katherine.)

 

 

 

 

Massive Rock Walls and a Cave

We stopped at Canyon Lake so that Bear could take a swim.  He was in his element since he hadn’t seen a body of swimmable water in months.  And, Mike and I enjoyed a respite from the ride. 

Scenic Drive

After this 22 mile dirt road, we realized it was starting to get late and we were starting to get hungry.  So we headed back “home”.  I would highly recommend this scenic drive to anyone visiting in the Phoenix area, but don’t forget to pack a lunch!  It is a long drive.

Our next destination is back to the Tucson area to get some work done on our rig.  Then, we’ll be participating in our first “club” adventures.  We are members of the Escapees and their annual event in mid-March happens to be at the Tucson Pima County Fairgrounds.  It will be fund to make new friends.  Who knows… you may come together again!

Until later, friends!!