December 23rd
– December 29th 2013
Merry Christmas from
the desert.
Next year, most likely, we will “enjoy”
Michigan weather and Christmas. Work days: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. Anything special: not really. Family: a lot of talking over the phone and sadness on
both sides. Somewhere, sometimes I (we) were told that in the end it
does not matter so much where you live because you work, you care
about people you love and like, and basically there is not so much
time for that famous “free time” - in Detroit metro or San
Francisco. There is much more to that thought, but … Life is life. Thursday. Easy and quiet day. Slow
morning. About eleven or so, drive to Glendale (one of the many towns
and communities of greater Phoenix) – the same drive (apartments,
shopping malls, empty spaces, some houses, walls). Sahuaro Ranch –
blooming rose garden and pretty large orchards – oranges and
grapefruits. We got free (just two of us) tour of the house –
ranch, it was mildly interesting. Wander around the ground of the
ranch – old machinery, old buildings, and surprisingly almost no
people. There were also about fifteen peacocks. Next to this ranch
garden park, there was a public library – and peacocks were just
flying around, jumping the fence and goofing off in both places, we
even found some on the tree. There was a small garden next to the
library.
On the way out WE PICKED SOME ORANGES AND
GRAPEFRUITS, THAT WAS DECEMBER 26TH. It was pretty great.
Drive along the outskirts of the city heading to the center. It is
strange place – houses, industrial complexes. Almost ghetto area
close to the downtown, within few blocks change to really nice houses
with green lawns (being mowed, in the desert and in December).
Japanese friendship garden – pretty much on the top of the
interstate 10. Strange. Nice, sunny, green, and pleasant. Not the
most beautiful or impressive Japanese garden we ever seen but a nice
one. There was, however, pretty big pond in the middle and a lot of
koi fishes. They were just jumping and swimming all over themselves.
We were feeding them (like pretty much everybody else), they were
selling the fish food in the gift shop. Quick stop at North Mountain
Park (we wanted to take a walk), but there was (again) no place to
park. Home. Movie – Love actually (I guess it is our Christmas
tradition now to watch this movie). Friday. Easy and
relaxed day – drive to smaller town of Globe. Same sprawling city
of Phoenix – spacious and easy to navigate and pretty green for a
desert, yet sprawling and strange. Nice and sunny day. Within an hour
or so we were close to town of Superior and Boyce Thompson Arboretum.
http://arboretum.ag.arizona.edu/
When we passed it last time (on the way to Tucson) it did not look
like much from the road – a valley with bunch of trees and bushes,
so we were kind of curious about it. And it was awesome. Some smaller
gardens, a lot of cactus, incredible background (very close
mountains) and very pleasant main loop. We briefly talked to some
older couple who was enjoying a small pond/lake and were told that a
duck diving there was also called coot (something he was called few
times). Nice and funny couple (one would hope we will enjoy life like
they do when we are of their age).
Thompson was apparently rich guy who was behind this
oasis in the desert and also built the house that was near by (not
open to public). Small creek – at one point we saw it just “end”.
Pomegranate trees and bushes with fruits. Really great garden. Quick
stops along the way in some “ghostly” towns, some antique shops
and some wandering around. Arizona is strange and mostly pretty
interesting. Globe – mining area. Visitor center. Bash Bah Museum –
historical site of Salado Indians. A bit strange, mildly interesting.
Walk on the top of the hill in the park – great views, evening sun
creating really amazing colors of the hills and mountains. “Trading
Post” shop – all kinds of monkey business, it was hard to believe
what can be sold. A lot of copper souvenirs – clearly they are
mining copper here. Evening. Motel. End. Saturday. Not
very pleasant morning. The heater did not have proper thermostat so
it was either too cold or too hot. Coffees. Gasoline. Leave the town
of Globe. Breezy, sunny, cold (for Arizonians). About 25 miles to
Tonto National Monuments – ruins of Salado people. Quiet and
peaceful. In distance (in valley) the lake, the road, and a lot of
empty space. Half a mile walk up to the ruins (covered by rocks –
almost in cave like). Steep but nice and pretty walk – cactus,
rocks, and great scenery. Older lady ranger on the top – few
questions about the ruins and then the talk about life – variety of
things: nature, people, travel, experiences, children … It was
really interesting. Leave and head on the Apache trail – scenic
road (partly dirt road) via Superstitious mountains. Roosevelt Dam.
Paved road ending. Not too bad – pretty wide and flat road. River
(real one) next to us. Breath taking mountains next to us, deep
valleys and river down there. Few stops, incredible scenery, and nice
drive (not the greatest driving, bumpy, later narrow …). Stop by
the creek – breezy, airy, pleasant – again one would not say we
were in the desert. At one point – final climb up – we saw
something amazing – really narrow winding road going up with steep
grade. It took forever to drive up. When we were up we parked and
looked around – it was quite similar to Grand Canyon. We could see
the road winding on the side of the mountain and in the valley. Well
worth it. Drive toward Phoenix – finally paved road. Still many
turns and declines. Tortilla Flat – some type of settlement with
few stores and restaurants – so so many cars and people there.
Goldfield Ghost Town – we were told that in a way it is a tourist
trap but quite nice. http://www.goldfieldghosttown.com/
So many people. It was a tourist trap and it was not really nice.
Only quick stop. Detour to the town of Tempe (not different from the
rest of Phoenix area). Changing Hand Bookstore – nice one – even
we should not buy the books (we are still on the road) we did anyway.
Drive home – quiet evening. Sunday: monkey business
and jackassing (technical terms for: errands, relaxing, reading,
doing nothing, etc.).
