We traveled beyond the End of the World for some Hoedown fun in Ajo, Arizona. I have been here before, and did a blog post about this historic mining town. Here is the link if you are interested, because I won't repeat it in this post: http://wheres-liz-2014.blogspot.com/2014/02/historic-ajo-arizona.html
This time we came to enjoy the Old Time Fiddlers and some other events going on that week.
Dry camping was $3 a night on the driving range of the golf course. It was convenient, since that was where the fiddling contest was being held. (The driving range was closed, fortunately.)
Interesting concept, but I'm always glad I have my bathroom with me.
Some of the entertainment was provided by local wildlife.
Gambel's Quail
Kite-flying and model airplane flying were popular diversions between shows.
Anita and i arrived on Wednesday, the day before the events began, so we took a driving tour on a scenic loop in the mountains around Ajo.
This is BLM land, and Boondocking (dry camping) is allowed out here. You can see one camper (far left) taking advantage of free camping with a scenic view.
These ruins above the old copper mine are part of what was once a Native American (O'odham) community that existed here before the desegregation. Look for the old photo of the Indian Village in the Visitor's Center below.
Colorful piles of mine tailings from the New Cornelia mine.
St. Catherine's Indian Mission (now a museum) can be seen on the left. The white cross on top of the mountain honors John Campbell Greenway, first mine superintendent and founder of Ajo.
Mine overlook.
Old mining cart outside the Visitor's Center.
Another view from the overlook. "Lake Ajo" is 90 to 100 feet deep and is spring fed. The color is from copper sulfite.
In 1959 the New Cornelia was the largest open-pit mine in the U.S. and the second largest copper producer in Arizona.
Tracks were laid down on the terraces, and then ore cars were loaded by steam shovel.
Inside the museum are historic photos and news articles. This photo shows the O'odham Indian Village above the mine as it looked in 1947.
A large copper anode on display. These anodes were 99.7% copper and weighed 750 lbs.
The Greenway Mansion (across the road from the Mine Overlook) is not open to the public.
We also visited the Ajo cemetery. Anita is a member of Find-A-Grave (findagrave.com), and was responding to a request for a photo of a particular grave (an infant who died at childbirth).
After a call to a local funeral home we were able to locate the grave, and Anita posted the photo on the website.
On Thursday evening, the fiddlers put on a show at the golf course.
Here's a sample...click on the video.
On Friday, there was a quilt show in town, in the old Curley School Building.
There were some really pretty and colorful quilts.
This one depicts early Arizona missions.
I liked this one. The sunflowers and leaves are hand stitched.
These two quilts depict Arizona history.
After the Quilt Show, some fiddlers put on a free show on the town square (or actually triangle).
Spectators at the fiddlers show.
On Saturday, the contests began at the golf course. Contestants had to play 3 songs...one hoedown, one waltz, and one tune of choice, with a 5-minute time limit. Fiddlers could have up to two accompanists. Click on the video.
Divisions included adult, seniors, and junior. This youngest junior-junior was only four-years-old.
Here's one of the juniors playing.
This 15-year-old junior won her division, and later became the Grand Champ of all the contestants.
Awards Ceremony for the Junior Division. All juniors got a monetary award, not just the top 5.
Click on the Video. The fiddler in the way-over-80 Division, celebrated his 67th wedding anniversary a few days ago.
Saturday evening Anita and I attended a Vaudeville Show in town. On the way we encountered some free-0range cattle in the road.
The Vaudeville Show was made up of local talent.
The master of Ceremonies was funny, and read old Vaudeville jokes during stage changes.
This was a talented group, especially the pianist.
I did a little study of "hands."
This couple performed some self-written songs. Not sure what he was under the influence of when he wrote them, lol. One, she said, was inspired by evening coyote howls.
He was playing, "Somewhere, over the Rainbow..."
Click on the video.
And a final jam session on stage.
Sunday morning, the fiddlers led a Gospel Sing-Along. Click on the Video.
Final competitions included Twin fiddling, Trick and Fancy, Runner-up Champion, and Grand Champion. The 15-year-old was the Grand Champion.
