Saturday - March 12
We took off on a beautiful, hot morning headed for a lake we had only
heard about. As we climbed in elevation, the temps dropped to a
comfortable mid-70s.
Roosevelt lake looked like a sapphire gem against
the desert. As Lynn & Geri removed their shoes and tested the
temperature of the water (cold!) we noticed that there was a bass tournament
going on. One fisher had a ten-pounded, another had a five-pounder,
and that balance seemed to be somewhere around two-and-a-half to three
pounds. Nice fish!
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| Gorgeous, huge lake in the middle of
nowhere! |
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Check out all the arms and how intertwined this
Saguaro is.
If it takes 50 years to grow an arm, imagine how old this thing is! |
Speaking of old, four old friends
enjoying the day together! |
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We stopped at the
Tonto National Monument to
hike up to the ruins of the Salado indians.
The lake got prettier and prettier the higher we walked. |
Saguaros looked like soldiers
marching up the hill. |
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This little cholla had one tiny yellow blossom in
the middle left. We're a bit early yet.
There's also a bird's nest at the top! Cool! |
Look at the color contrasts!
Wonderful! |
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| Howard & Lynn getting ready to explore the nearly
700-year-old ruins. |
Small doors for the 5'-5'6" people
who lived here.
These short doors helped keep the heat in and put any intruders at a
disadvantage. |
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Bruce stayed down in the parking lot below while
we hiked up the hill.
It's a one-mile (r/t), 350 foot climb to the ruins. Talk about a
good workout! |
Black on the back wall indicate a
place where the fire was burning to keep the dwelling warm.
Homes were often smoke-filled and stuffy. |
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| There might be three or four families living in
one village. |
Some of the remaining tools. |
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| A grinding block or mano and metate. |
Smaller homes ... |
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| or lookouts were built near the
village. |
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| Another flower trying to bloom in the sand. |
Roosevelt dam |
"In 1906 construction began on Theodore Roosevelt Dam, bringing
attention to the swellings. The following year, recognizing the
need to protect the sites from vandals and pot hunters, President
Theodore Roosevelt set the area aside as a national monument."
Look at the different colors in the rock! So much upheaval in the
earth.
"Outlines of irrigation canals were visible until flooded by
Theodore Roosevelt Lake. Decorated earthenware and intricate
textiles reveal that not all of the people devoted their efforts to
farming; some had the interest and time to master other skills.
Seashells found here came from the Gulf of California and macaw feathers
from Mexico, showing that the owners participated in trade with remote
groups. Ideas made the circuit along with trade goods, for much of
Salado technology resembles that of other native people."
Very interesting and fun day!
