Okay, so after getting things set up last Friday, I spent the weekend relaxing and taking care of chores like laundry and grocery shopping. Then yesterday, Kurt took me to his dentist so I could set up an appointment to take care of a few minor things. I went in style to the dentists office. Kurt has a 1995 dark green Corvette. I’ll get a picture of it for you car fans one of these days.
I’ve never ridden in a Corvette before. Never even knew anyone that owned one. Kurt has always been a car guy, and I guess my neighbors at the park are too. The wife stopped by last night to let me know how much they admired my Corvette. Ha! I did let her know that I’m just a lowly Ford Focus owner…
By this morning I was tired of ‘relaxing’, and decided to go out touring. My first choice was Casa Grande Ruins National Monument.
I visited here probably 30 years ago while visiting my parents in Apache Junction in the 1980’s. I didn’t remember much about that visit, and I didn’t have a National Parks Passport Book at that time.
No time like the present to get my book stamped, and appreciate these ruins. Not many folks were visiting today, so I almost had the whole place to myself. I started out reading everything in the visitors center, and watching the 20 minute movie about its history. It’s hard to comprehend that the Casa Grande was built in the 1300’s and most of it still remains to be viewed. Even the steel and concrete canopy has been protecting the Great House since 1932.
Built of caliche that was found underfoot, it had to have been a massive undertaking to build this structure. There were no metal tools like shovels or anything. What an accomplishment this was. I certainly appreciated this monument much more than I did 30 some years ago.
The original entrance sign now stands outside the visitors center with a view of the Great House in the background.
As I made my way back to the rig, some storm clouds were moving through. It appeared the rain was poring down, but my guess is it evaporated before hitting the ground.
It’s been seven years since I’ve been in Arizona and the drive let me drink in the essence of this desert land. To me, the saguaro cactus epitomizes the grandeur of the Sonoran desert.
They are like military sentinels standing watch over the landscape. I never tire of seeing them. You may tire of seeing my pictures of them though over the next months.
There’s some possible rain in the forecast for tomorrow, but I’ve persuaded Kurt to join me on an excursion to see another one of those Roadside America type things. He hasn’t stopped there, but has the opinion that it’s a rip off. I don’t care. It beats just sitting here in the rig.
Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later, Judy
P.S. Some people think there are no mosquitoes in Arizona. I’m here to say that isn’t so. I’ve already had three mosquito bites. I’ve always said that if there’s a mosquito in the county, it will find me; and they have.
when I read how long it's been since you visited Casa Grande I realized it has been even longer for me. I should take a ride out there and check it out.
ReplyDeleteWe have had so much rain this summer I the Saguaros look really good all nice and fat with water. But then all that wonderful rain sure brought the skeeters.
You must be tastier than me--I don't think I've ever been bitten by a mosquito in Arizona--and if there is a mosquito within 100 hundred miles, it's going to bite me!!
ReplyDeleteI always like seeing photos of the Sonoran desert & your pics just might have my foot a little heavier on the gas today as we finally make our westward turn to the south & head on down across the border this morning.
ReplyDeleteWe will be visiting Casa Grande this winter. Thanks for the heads up on the Casa Grande Ruins. Never heard of them.
ReplyDeleteWe visited Casa Grande about 15 years ago. Hardly anyone there then either. There WAS a giant owl up in the rafters that watched us as we explored. That was very cool. Love that part of the country, probably because it's so entirely different from where I live!
ReplyDeleteAmazing how the older we get, the more we appreciate "old" things ;-))
ReplyDeleteI will NEVER tire of those wonderful cactus photos.. We loved our stay at Hickiwan..were there 2 months...there is something mystical about that Sonoran Desert..Love the history of that park and would love to see it. The Native American culture is very dear to me..my living room in full of photos and even an old Kachina on our mantel...Can't wait for more Arizona shots!!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have to put that place on my "to see" list.. as many times as we've driven through that area we've never stopped. By the way... check out "virga".... your photos showed such good examples of it.
ReplyDeleteIn case anyone is interested, the phenomenon of rain falling and evaporating before hitting the ground is called "verga". Living in the deep south and seeing lots of rain hitting the ground, this sort of thing fascinates me!
ReplyDeleteWell now you are in places I've never been and I'm making a list. Never too many saguaros for me. I love how different each one is from the next.
ReplyDeleteHave never seen the ruins and I've lived in Tucson for many years... one of these days, for sure! Thanks for the tour. Yes, we've had our share of mosquitos this year with all the rain. It looks like you're right in Simon's path today so lots of rain today and MORE mosquitos! Enjoy your AZ stay! Grace (in Tucson)
ReplyDeleteI'm adding all the things you are seeing to my list. . .will be there in the Spring to appreciate some of it. . .love the pics of the rain. . .
ReplyDeleteI love the saquaro pictures. Every one is different.
ReplyDeleteCasa Grande sounds very interesting. We'll have to check it out next time we're in the area.
Teri
markteri.blogspot.com
Been 4 years since we were in AZ. Does not seem that long. Will enjoy your pics and remember.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to your posts- I love those beautiful Saguaro too.
ReplyDeleteWe drove right by the monument during our 2012 zip around the country. Remember the incoming grandbaby keeping us moving along? Hope we can visit it next winter on our planned sojourn to the Southwest.
ReplyDeleteI've heard of a lot of people looking for the ruins in Casa Grande. It's strange that they are in Coolidge.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed Casa Grande Ruins. It is a special and interesting place. We were interpreters there for three years.
ReplyDeleteI never tire of the saguaro. For the past two springs, I have been fortunate enough to see them bloom! What a treat that was!
ReplyDeleteYikes...mosquitos! Hope they leave before we get there in November!
We got back to AZ (Phoenix) 2 weeks ago, a little earlier than usual & I couldn't believe the number of mosquitoes, they are silent & deadly. Isn't the desert beautiful this year, everything is exceptionally green. It should be equally green along the Colorado River. Enjoy your visit! Becki
ReplyDelete:Lets see some pictures of your rig set up in a "RV Resort".
ReplyDeleteSkeeters, are you sure you didn't bring them with you..stowaways! I am looking forward to all your cactus photos...it will beat snowbanks:)
ReplyDeleteIt is an interesting place. I am guessing it has been about five years for us since we were there.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful header picture!
ReplyDeleteDig your header, makes me want to go for a walk in the desert. Also dig the art deco lettering on the sign.
ReplyDeleteFrends just built a house in Casa Grande--we'll be sure to go see the monument. Mosquitos from miles around find me too, Judy. Almost by accident but more out of desperation, I put some Noxzema on my bites & viola! No more itching! It smells the same as when we were teenagers too!
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