Dreams, Moments, Travels
A funny thing happened along the road while blogging; a bunch of entries disappeared. We didn’t learn this until 2021, and while the WaybackMachine helped with over 35 posts, there were a few, such as this one, that had no archived data about it. The photo still existed in an archived directory with a date on it, but no other info exists.
With leaves turning green and still emerging, Phoenix is in the throes of springtime; soon, though, this beautiful green will give way to the more normal Phoenix brown that blankets our city.
Albert has been my barber now for a few years; at least before him, it was Sam for a few more. This is Gio’s Barber Shop at 64th Street and Bell Road in Phoenix, Arizona – my favorite. They still use straight-edge razors, hot shaving cream, and some smelly aftershave Caroline just can’t stand, but it’s a real man’s haircut at Gio’s.
Because his face could sell anything.
Getting the car washed so I begin the 42nd year with a fresh and clean perspective. Plus, after driving to and from California and then yesterday’s drive into the mountains, it became a necessity if I were to continue seeing through the windshield and having functional headlights.
I pulled off Highway I-17 just north of Phoenix, where it enters the mountains, for a brief visit to Black Canyon City.
The phone is off the hook and unavailable so am I today on my 42nd Birthday. I took a long and meandering drive, making Black Canyon City my first stop. Wandering around, I visited a deserted facility that turned out to be the Black Canyon, Greyhound Park. Dusty and weathered the facility ages, just like me.
The views are great, with Towers Mountain and Crown King to the northwest. Mines dot the surrounding hills, both operative and defunct. Most of these lands are private property and well-marked as such. Mine owners are a riley bunch on the whole, so as you go around these parts, it is best to honor the “no trespassing” warnings.
Without much to investigate, I make my way back to the 17, traveling north. Camp Verde is the next exit I take to look for Fort Verde. Fort Verde was the primary base for General George Crook’s scouts and soldiers.
Lately, Caroline has been reading the book Once They Moved Like the Wind in the car while we are out driving, and I have been going out to check out the sites referenced in the book or with historical context regarding the Indian Wars.
The preserved and well-maintained buildings of Fort Verde are on the National Register of Historic Places and feature interpretive exhibits, helping the visitor draw a more vivid picture of how the Fort looked and how its residents lived while the State of Arizona was being established.
Nearby Camp Verde are worthwhile destinations, including Montezuma’s Castle and Montezuma’s Well, while only 20 miles northwest is the Verde Canyon Railroad.
Driving east out of Camp Verde on State Road 260, the Mogollon Rim lies before you. The Rim extends from here to the Mogollon Mountains in southwest New Mexico, defining the southwestern edge of the Colorado Plateau.
A resident of Phoenix and parts south makes regular visits to Rim Country. The area is popular for its cool temperatures, many lakes, campgrounds, and small towns that allow an escape from the bustle of America’s sixth-largest city.
In the mountains of the Mogollon Rim, the elevation rises as high as 7,000 feet, which makes for occasional snowy winters. As winter snows melt, temporary meadow lakes are created across the plateau, as seen here on the left.
The Ponderosa Pine found extensively across the Rim lends an alpine atmosphere to the region, broadening its appeal.
Within the forest, hikers and surprised drivers will often spot elk, deer, javelina, and, on rare occasions, a bear.
Walking along the above lake on my way back to the car, I spotted this relatively fresh bear track amongst some cow hoof impressions and quickly scanned the area to find out if I might be looking like a juicy berry to a bear in hiding. Fortunately, or maybe not, there was no bear to be seen.
Leaving the lake on State Road 87 I am driving south through an old favorite place of mine called Strawberry. Soon after, I pass the little village of Pine, an attractive place where weekend visitors can stop to buy local honey and maybe a bite to eat.
My intended destination today, though, is the Tonto Natural Bridge State Park. The turnoff from State Road 87 to the park is a steep road leading into a tiny valley with a fee station, charging a $3 per person entry fee.
A well-marked trail guides you to the bottom of the bridge for a great view of the surroundings. Allow at least ninety minutes to hike down, explore, and hike back up.
The bridge itself stands 183 feet high. The tunnel below is 400 feet long and measures 150 feet at its widest point.
Rocks at the base of the bridge near the end of the tunnel are covered in moss accumulated due to a fine misting from a small waterfall trickling down from the top of the bridge like a silver curtain.
On hot days, you will find youngsters of all ages playing in the stream and standing under the cool mist descending through the mountain air. Today, at the beginning of spring, only a few other visitors have taken to the trail.
This photograph tries but does not quite succeed in demonstrating that the tunnel you are looking through is 400 feet deep and 150 feet wide. Only a visit to Tonto Natural Bridge will relate to just how large the entire bridge structure truly is.
Before I turn to leave, I stand at the end of the catwalk, hoping the wind will direct those cool, misty waters my way so my return trip up the canyon might be just a bit more comfortable.
No luck with the uncooperative wind, though. This small waterfall is only to be appreciated by viewing today. The hike back out is fairly painless, even for an overweight guy like myself.
The rest of the trip home is about 90 miles south, but first, I will pass through Payson and a gorgeous valley with green mountains on my right and the four peaks to the left. Thus, my Birthday drive comes to a close.