We had a lot of fun with this sign, in spite of the grammatical error.
Just a few miles past Hope is the small town of Salome, where I stayed 4 days at the Desert Gem RV Park with friends Anita and Sandi. Just outside the park is open desert with many ATV trails that lead into the hills. These became my hiking trails.
Sandi's dog, Abby and Thistle became good hiking buddies.
Thistle's nemesis, the "jumping" cholla cactus. One jumped on his chin during one of our hikes.
There are also many Giant Saguaro Cactus in all shapes and sizes.
I call this one "Triplets."
Phainopeplas
Anita showed me where there were abandoned mines. Gold, Silver, and Copper were mined in these hills. I don't know what came from this mine shaft.
She also showed me where there are some desert graves/memorials.
And some petroglyphs. Anita has spent winters here and ridden these hills before.
One day Sandi and I drove to Wickenburg where we saw snow on the mountaintops.
We passed this historical marker about a stage-coach robbery & massacre that happened here in 1871. Four men and one women were killed by Apache Indians.
In Wickenburg we toured the Western Museum. The upstairs is art, and downstairs is history.
One large gallery was devoted to bronze sculptures by Michael Naranjo, remarkable especially because he is totally blind.
He was blinded by an artillery shell in Vietnam. You can see the photo of him using touch to create his art.
The downstairs exhibits of early Wickenburg were interesting.
I especially liked the story of an old organ.
A folding organ made by the Esty Company of Brattleboro Vermont.
Rand McNally Road Atlases have been around almost as long as roads.
The Hotel Vernetta was significanr because a prominent black woman was the proprietor.
Life-sized dioramas depicted life in Wickenburg at the turn of the Century.
This scavenger hunt was fun in the General Store.
I found most of them. This is the round cash register, #1 on the list.
Outside there were also life-size figures on the historic street. They spoke to you as you approached and told their story. This is the new school teacher who has just arrived on the train. The old Depot can be seen behind her. The train is also on display.
Another day we all drove out to Alamo Lake State Park. The lake is low, but it looks like plenty of water to kayak in, so I may come back here later to camp. Wild donkeys roam the hills here.
That evening we had dinner at the Iron Horse Restaurant next to the campground. $1 tacos was their special. I ate 3. Spent $4 including tip.
And left with this little bit of wisdom.
