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| - RUINS IN SCOTTSDALE
"Well hell, these are ruins, boy!" said like Foghorn Leghorn
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gx98pskffOY
Alright, well I wouldn't drive out of the way and be able to give this a five-star rating, but when you are out and about on a drive and happen along a little stop like this...well, that's road trip gold!
In the Tonto National Forest, along the "Great Western Trail" - the 3000 mile backcountry route from Canada to Mexico:
Add to it a "circus grasshopper" encountered on the path and sitting still while I clicked away on the photos....add to it a chorus of butterfly wings fluttering in the light breeze of this easy one mile hike as we made our way up...add it to the gorgeous 360 panaromic views on a beautiful Spring day in the Sonoran Desert...add it to yes, well there are scattered rocks aka "ruins" forming structures that are delineated in detailed signage...and add to it to this "tippy rock" that is a one-rock balancing act and you have an amazing little way to take in some history and to spend an hour in the fresh open air. The Hohokams were busy up here 900 years ago doing their thing. Not a lot is left of their civilization but enough to give you an idea and appreciation for the lay of the land. (The informational signs are quite detailed.) You also get the feeling you are "way out there" and I like thinking about that I'm pretty close to a major metropolis and this other realm sits quietly out here in the desert.
Oh! and on the descent, perfectly-timed...add to it the "Harlequin moment" - like the cover of a novel - across the field a muscled and shirtless stranger in jeans, striding along in the warm sun...totally awesome "visual of life!"
Even without the shirtless stranger, so picturesque here! Enjoy it for what it offers (free), totally off the beaten path, easy parking, one restroom facility, no water available...and you won't be disappointed. It's a solid four-star from me but this visit was a golden five.
weblink: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/tonto/recreation/outdoorlearning/recarea/?recid=35235&actid=119
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