We’ve had the privilege of having our good friends-who-are-family, Roy and Judy, traveling with us the last few weeks. They made the trek from Florida to experience some of the interesting places Arizona has to offer.
We started out together in Mesa, Arizona, where we enjoyed nightly campfires filled with conversation and laughter. We explored some of the surrounding attractions, one of them being the Superstition Mountain Museum located in the foot of the Superstition Mountains in Apache Junction, Arizona. The Apaches believe the hole leading to the lower world (hell) is located in the Superstition Mountains and the air coming from the hole is the cause of the dust storms plaguing Phoenix and the surrounding area. There is also the legend of Lost Dutchman’s Gold Mine–a German miner, Jacob Waltz, who supposedly struck gold. He would disappear into the mountain range, despite hostile Apaches in the region, and reappear with a healthy stash of gold ore. He kept the location secret, but gave away its location to a boarding house owner on his deathbed. The mine was never found, but the boarding house owner made money selling fake maps to make up for not finding the payload. The legends are outlined with many artifacts in the museum.
Outside of the museum is quite interesting also. There is an Old West Town setting with many plants that are indigenous to the area.
They had an interesting maze-like circle called a labyrinth. Walking the labyrinth in its entirety is supposed to make a person calm, centered, have less anxiety, and increase creativity. I gave it a shot–what was there to lose? In all actuality, it was quite relaxing. It wasn’t a maze, but an easy path to traverse taking me in random directions leading to the center of the circle and working its way back to the beginning. It was an activity that the feet follow without having to think about it, leaving the mind free to roam. I’m glad I did it, and I did feel more creative afterwards.
There were interesting Old West exhibits and information.
We had to take the time out to immortalize our visit by taking photos by the extremely large saguaro cactus on the museum grounds.
After the museum, we ventured down the road a piece to Goldfield. This was an old mining town turned ghost town once the gold ran dry. Now, it’s a touristy-trap type of place with shops, a bakery and coffee shop, a restaurant, and tours for trains and ATVs. Not my cup of tea, but it did have some interesting old buildings and charming touches.
The old buildings were interesting. I couldn’t get a photo of the church because of all the people, but the others made the town quaint and charming.
It was a great morning spent sightseeing in the tourist areas, but we were headed to an exciting day discovering the Apache Trail. The best part was sharing it with wonderful friends.
Safe travels to your next destination.
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so fun –
Sounds like fun! We drove the Apache Trail last Feb, but didn’t stop at the old west town or museum. We did the Dolly steamboat tour and that was beautiful! Glad you’re having a great time with close friends!
We will have to do the Dolly steamboat tour the next time we are there. It’s so hard to pick and choose all the things to do! Hope the summit went well!
Wow, how did we miss this place? You bring it to life, Dawn. Thank you.
Thanks, Gail! Hope you’re getting settled in your new adventure.
Love this place, Dawn! Especially love whatever that building is with the round room and the sign that says Reptile exhibit. Wouldn’t love the reptiles but that house!
I’m sad it’s a reptile exhibit because I loved the house, too–too pretty for snakes. I wish the little town was a little more authentic, but we enjoyed the museum a lot.
That looks like an area to put on my to do list. Your description and pictures are wonderful. Keep up the good work! Love it.
Thank you! You and I are having such wonderful adventures over the last few weeks–it’s fun reading what you’ve been up to.
Looks like you all had a wonderful time. It’s great when you get to share your adventures with loved ones. I think I would like Goldfield better if it were still abandon.
I wish it were abandoned. Hopefully, I’ll get to see a real ghost town soon. Have you been to one?
My parents went to several, but so far the only cool abandoned things I’ve been to is some of the stone houses we found in the desert.
Selling maps to a nowhere gold mine. Pretty business savvy.
I enjoyed this tour…so different from the landscape of Minnesota. I felt like I stepped back in time right into “Gunsmoke.”
It reminds me of “Gunsmoke” and “Bonanza,” too. It took a while, but it’s grown on me. I’ve come to appreciate the desert beauty. The sunsets and sunrises are gorgeous!
What a fun trip and great pics too! Next time I go to Arizona I will be on the look out for cholla!
There are all kinds of prickly things to watch out for, but it’s totally worth it. Thanks for reading!
such an amazing post and loving the photos!
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Thank you!
You have lovely photos, also! Thanks for stopping by!