I think I have the problem figured out, but don't ask me what. I have a dental appointment at 11 a.m. so can't really do anything around here until later, so am trying to finish my today's blog. Hopefully I will be successful.
CACTUS
I did not realize, when planning my week, that I would be there when the cactus started blooming. I had never been there at that time of year before, so we spent one day at the Phoenix Botanical Gardens. It is hard to believe how colorful the desert is when the cactus blooms.
OAK CREEK CANYON
One day we traveled to Montezuma Castle and Well. This five-story 20 room dwelling was bui9lt in the 1100's in a cliff recess 100 feet above the valley floor.
Early settlers thought it was Aztec in origin, and named it Montezuma Castle.
The ancient Sinagua was a prehistoric culture at one time flourishing in the Verde Valley. Descendants of the Sinagua settled in this area and sometime in the 1400's the area was abandoned. It is unknown why or where they went. There are many cliff dwelling communities throughout the Southwest, the purpose being that it would be easier to defend their cliff dwellings against marauders. They fashioned ladders to reach their homes, pulling the ladders up at night so no one could invade while they slept.
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| A view in Oak Creek Canyon |
The cliffs in Oak Creek Canyon are mostly white limestone. The contrast with the green of the trees and the blue of the sky was amazing. A truly beautiful place.
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| As they think the inside was from studying the remains |
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| Montezuma Well |
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| Montezuma Castle |
We learned that no fish lived in the waters of the well, and the water contained a large amount of carbon dioxide, which removed the oxygen from the water. But the water is never stagnant as they is underground water constantly flowing into the well, and exiting through a small crevice, creating a stream downhill from the well.
The dwelling was fashioned from mud, which hardened in the heat, and many of these uninhabited communities survive today because
they were protected from the elements by being built into the cliffs.
CANYON de CHELLY
Canyon de Chelly (pronounced Canyon d'Shay) is believed to have been settled as early as 2500 - 200 BC living in rock shelters. This is known as the Archaic era. From 200 BC until 750 the Basket makers lived in the canyon.
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| The river bed, we drove in the river part of the time. |
from 750 until. 1300 the canyon was occupied by the Pueblo Indians, from 1300 - 1600 the Hopi Indians, and from 1700 until the present the Navajo Indians.
Canyon de Chelly is on the Navajo reservation, some of the Navajos still own land and live in the canyon.
The canyon itself can only be
traveled with a Navajo tour guide. We had a 3 hour jeep ride, with a wonderful Navajo driver/guide. He stopped any time for me to take pictures
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| Inside the Canyon |
and told us so much of the history of the canyon. It was a picture perfect day, temp wise and weather wise.
Our guide and his family still own property inside the canyon, raising crops, caring for the land. He showed us his home as we traveled through the canyon. we saw the hieroglyphics carved and painted on the canyon walls telling the history of the land. It is amazing that all these hundred years later, they are still as visible as they are. I got some amazing pictures of them. One evening we spent driving the South rim, and I got some pictures looking down into the canyon.
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| Me and our guide |
I think you have had enough history for one day. I will complete this blog with the remaining pictures I would like to share with you. I hope you enjoy seeing them.
I could probably talk all day about the canyon and it's history.
But, time to leave for dental appointment. I hope you have enjoyed this journey, and perhaps down the road I will have another journey to share with you. In the meantime relax, have fun, and God Bless.
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| Canyon mustang |
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| one of the canyon views |
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| From the rim - ice cream cones |
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| This rock formation called the "Dog" |
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| From the Rim |
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| From the Rim |
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