Apache Trail, Superstition Mountain, Fish River Canyon and the Goldfield Ghost Town.

The Apache Trail is one of the most scenic desert drives in Arizona passing through remote country that features ghost towns, spectacular moutains, canyons and lakes.

 

The Apache Trail winds to the left of the Superstition Mountains where the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine is thought to be located. Believed to be one of the wealthiest gold mines ever established, many people have lost their lives trying to find the mine. For more information about the Lost Dutchman Mine, click here.

 

As you can see this is Seguaro country.

 

When these plants die, this is what remains. Perfectly formed wooden poles of similar diameter. It is these that the Indians used to build their shelters and to make tools and weapons. It was important that the "poles" be harvested before the white ants moved in. These poles help explain why these plants are so strong and branch, not so much to balance themselves, but to direct themselves to the sun.

 

The town of Tortilla Flat used to be a stagecoach stop in the 1800's. Now its a local watering hole for the locals, tourists and passing motocycle enthusiasts.

 

The bar has wonderful horse saddles on which to sit and the walls are covered with thousands of one dollar bills (stapled to the wall unfortunately as I was keen to use them for tips).

 

Further views of the saddles, the classic juke box and the stools on which the saddles sit. You guessed it -imitation wooden horse rears.

 

Very important to pay for your beer in the Tortilla Flats saloon or this is what happens.

 

The beautiful Fish River Canyon; the last picture showing the sun just about to appear over the rim. Note that I accidently captured a dragon fly in full flight (second pic).

 

The Fish River Canyon is traversed by the Fish River Bridge over the Fish River River (which is dry).

 

Further views of the canyon.

 

Along the Apache Trail there is other spectacular scenery to view.

 

Canyon Lake provides much of the water for the Phoenix population and also serves as a popular destination for boating and camping.

 

Along the lake there are small "coves" or inlets which are ideal for swimming or for just resting from the desert heat.

 

The Goldfield Ghost Town is worth a visit. Built in the 1890's Old West period the town has a local saloon as pictured here.

 

The local bordello has character with iron balustrades and interesting paintwork.

 

Other quaint building can be seen against the mountain background. So typical of what is seen in western movies.

 

I spent some time in the "Little Leaning Outhouse on the Prarie" which was somewhat nerve wracking with so many cactus spines around. And what is the strange shaped window on the door meant to represent?

 

I loved this wooden church.

 

The mine can be visited and you can also go for a ride on the old train. Unfortunately this is no longer steam driven which tends to spoil the experience somewhat (hence I decided not to do the trip).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The Desert Botanical Gardens, Phoenix

The Desert Botanical Gardens sits on 145 acres and has more than 50,000 plants in its collection. Since 1939 the Gardens has been home to one of the finest and most diverse collections of succulent plants in the world including rare, threatened and endangered species from the around the southeast USA and the world. It is the only botanical garden in the world to focus soley on desert plants. For more infomation about the garddens, click here.

 

The giant Saguaro plant is only found in Arizona and some parts of Mexico, particularly in the Sonoran Desert, and is a protected species. The cactus can grow up to 20 metres in height and the number of arms is an indication of age. For example, only after 50-75 yrs of growth does the first arm develop.

For more information about the Saguaro click here.

 

The location of the Sonora desert of southern USA and Mexico can be seen on this map.

 

Examples of mass plantings of cacti and succulents.

 

Depending on the time of day, light rays from the sun can add beauty to displays.

 

The white deposit on this cacti is the colchineal beetle. This beetle has been harvested for centuries for the production of red dye used in food colouring, lipstick and cloth dying. For example, the British Redcoats had their uniforms dyed using a colchineal beetle extract. Click here for more information.

 

The Bunny Ears Pricklypear is a nasty piece of work. Fine barbed hair-like fibres can penetrate skin and cause pain and discomfit. Your skin does not need to touch the plant; just being less than a cm away is enough for the plant to find its target. Click here for more information.

 

Mass planting of cacti and succulents can be enhanced by companion planting with grasses of different types and colour.

 

Different ways of showing desert plants in pots and containers was on display.

 

Throughout the garden there are shady areas to rest and great cafes and a restaurant for light snacks and coffee or something more substantial. Very easy to spend the whole day at the gardens which I did.

 

This is not the flowering season but some of the cacti and prickly pear are showing flowers or an attempt at flowering.

 

Sculpture is scattered throughout the gardens including this sun dial and a wooden statue entitled "Earth Mother".

 

The butterfly house has thousands of Monarch butterflys (Mariposa Monarca) which fly around you as you pass through the pavillion.

 

 

They did not seem to rest on me that much so was very disappointed. I imagined and was hoping for the situation below:

 

 

A foretaste of an exhibition to open in November by the artist Dale Chihuly. These are representations of cacti and other desert plants constructed entirely of coloured glass.

 

 

 

 

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