Arizona (mostly)

North east of Globe -- Salt River crossing on US60 in Arizona. Scan of an older film photo.

Since driving the Interstate is very frustrating for me, particularly when on vacations, I'm always looking for at least some diversion that may be of interest. The Pinal Pioneer Parkway (AZ 79) between Phoenix and Tucson is one such diversion. It's a two lane road that was, in the 1960's, the main route between the two cities. When the state created it, they bought 1000 feet of right-of-way on each side to keep it scenic, thus the area feels unspoiled. The route is known for its desert wild flower display in the Spring, though by mid-June that was no longer in bloom. But, the cacti were interesting, the mountain backdrop dramatic, and the lack of heavy traffic a relief. Getting to the road on the Phoenix end was not a hassle, but the Tucson end requires many miles of driving through heavy suburban traffic -- though still worth doing. One thing that may not be obvious from this and adjacent pictures is how high the cacti are. The very tall cactus in this picture (saguaro) is probably about 15' tall.

On both sides of Tucson is this national park with interesting cacti and some wonderful WPA-era park buildings (no pictures of those) (best viewed as part of Arizona set)

London Bridge tourist site in Lake Havasau City, AZ. I expected it to be incredibly tacky since the moving of London Bridge from London to Lake Havasau was explicitly done as a tourist gimmick. Maybe because it was midweek and few tourists, it wasn't as bad as I expected -- though very much a tourist gimmick. The story of London Bridge in Lake Havasau: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Bridge_(Lake_Havasu_City)

Fountain and monuments at London Bridge in Lake Havasau City, AZ.

Copy of the City of London dragon boundary markers, which were adopted in London in the 1960's: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon_boundary_mark

An 'authentic' English popcorn cart :) At London Bridge, Lake Havasau City, AZ

The stones from London Bridge are actually only a facing over a conventional concrete bridge. See: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Bridge_(Lake_Havasu_City)

"Serenity Now" tour boat passing the 'quaint' English village as it enters the channel under London Bridge.

"Serenity Now" tour boat in the channel under London Bridge.

Heat Bar, a bad grammar sign "Shallow water boat traffic jumping prohibited" and a resort designed to suggest "old England"....but the light standards look original.

The channel under London Bridge, complete with light house marking the entrance to the 'port'. Appearances, though, are deceiving. The Arizona London Bridge was built over dry land and then a channel was dugout to look like a river. The Wikipedia page has a picture that indicates this: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Bridge_(Lake_Havasu_City)

On the historic route 66, in Kingman, AZ

Sign describing Walnut Canyon cliff dwellings near Flagstaff, AZ. The satellite view is quite helpful in understanding the location. In the satellite view you'll see that Walnut Creek makes a circular loop and that the inside of that loop is almost an island (see the picture in the sign). Circumnavigating that island is the Island Trail which connects multiple accessible cliff dwellings; on the outer edges of the loop (across Walnut Creek) are many more cliff dwellings that are not easily accessible. Per the sign, the ruins here were home for somewhere between 75 and 400 people around 1100 CE (AD)

The Island Trail from near the visitor center at Walnut Canyon Natl Mon. Not visible here due to shade is the west side of the loop of the Island Trail (it turns right where the straight portion ends). The leveling and walls of the Island Trail were laid out by the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps). Though not visible in this picture, the canyon walls opposite the island (across the creek) have many cliff dwellings.

Much of the east side of the Island Trail, including a stair section that is visible in the larger picture. The leveling and walls of the Island Trail were laid out by the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps). (Use Lightbox view)

The initial descent from the ranger station to the main loop of the Island Trail. The stairs and the boulder path markers appear to be original as would have been built by the CCC, though I saw no CCC or WPA markings.

Cliff dwellings on the opposite side of the canyon from the Island Trail, viewed from an early portion of the trail before it begins a loop of the 'island. (Use Lightbox view)