Vacancy at the Montezuma Apts

Thursday, Feb 2…

The "apts" are about 100' back and 50' up.

Disclaimer: This formatting is a MESS, and I can't do a thing. On my screen, it makes sense. 😕
Not long after we set out, however, we did detour slightly to visit Montezuma Castle National Monument (part of the national parks system, & another recommendation from Trish) and were so glad we did. The park protects a set of well-preserved ancestral puebloan dwellings – home to the pre-Columbian culture that thrived for about 300 years (1100-1425) in the Verde Valley. The main structure comprises five stories and twenty rooms. The name is a complete misnomer. When the ruins were first discovered in the 1860s, it was assumed that their construction was somehow related to Montezuma. In fact, the settlement was abandoned 40 years before Montezuma was born. Furthermore, it is definitely not a castle - more like a prehistoric high-rise apartment complex.

Beaver Creek

Ouch!

The surrounding area was rich in salt, and Beaver Creek (modern name) provided sufficient water for agriculture, including cotton (who knew?). Despite general unfriendliness between the various tribes, there was very active trading between them b/c each local area produced goods that others needed. A trader might head out with salt and come home w/ obsidian.

(see bush to right)

Pueblo replica. Ladders were pulled up at night.

The rest of the trip was pretty much boring desert. Parked our rig in an “eh” RV park, packed a small suitcase and drove a mile to Greg’s brother’s house where we’ll hang out 'til Sunday night.

Approaching Tucson... 
we're really not the only ones on the road.

BlogThoughts… I did enjoy some of the local place names. Here are a few of my faves:

     Carefree Hwy                                     Happy Valley                                     Daisy Mt

     Bumble Bee                                        Bloody Basin                                    Table Mesa**

     Horse Thief Basin                               Camelback Rd                                  Agua Fria

     Reflection Ridge                                 Tangerine Rd                                    Salt River

     Sunland Gin Rd                                  Sun Dust Road                                 New River

     La Canada*                                       Wild Horse pass                               Pinnacle Peak

                *intended to be La Caῆada (the glen)                     **Can we say redundant?