2007/03/12
Trail of the Mountain Spirits
Today’s adventure followed the Trail of the Mountain Spirits north into the Gila National Forest. Ed really enjoyed driving today as the roads were narrow and twisty as they climbed into the mountains — he did wish the truck could morph itself into sport car. The highlight was the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument which offers a glimpse of the homes and lives of the people of the Mogollon culture who lived there from the 1280s through the early 1300s. One of the volunteers did mention that some of the theories are being disputed and they are starting to think that the dwellings may have been used for religious ceremonies and not permanent homes. Not far from the cliff dwellings are some petroglyphs and another dwelling, this one built on the ground near a stream.
As there was a trail nearby Zaph got to have another leash free walk — happiness is a dog running down the trail with a stick in his mouth.
The Santa Rita / Chino Mines open pit copper mine
Roberts Lake
The cave dwellings from a distance.
We're not sure how they entered this dwelling
Another cliff dwelling.
Inside one of the cliff dwellings
Zaph checking out the dwelling not on the cliff.
Some of the petroglyphs
One gnarly tree
A barrel cactus --- with either the remnants from last years flowers or the start of this years flowers.
Happiness is.......
As there was a trail nearby Zaph got to have another leash free walk — happiness is a dog running down the trail with a stick in his mouth.
The Santa Rita / Chino Mines open pit copper mine
Roberts Lake
The cave dwellings from a distance.
We're not sure how they entered this dwelling
Another cliff dwelling.
Inside one of the cliff dwellings
Zaph checking out the dwelling not on the cliff.
Some of the petroglyphs
One gnarly tree
A barrel cactus --- with either the remnants from last years flowers or the start of this years flowers.
Happiness is.......
