Monday, January 25, 2010

Lost Dutchman State Park

I haven't yet been able to go here, and I'm not sure I will be able too now. The state budget is gone so they have decided to close about 13 parks in the state of Arizona.

                               Image posted from http://azstateparks.com/Parks/loDU/index.html

We have all seen those Great Westerns about going out and striking Gold. This is one of those places where so many of these movies and shows treasure maps came from.
I am really hoping I get a chance to go out and see this place before they close it. But I'm not sure we will be able to. If I do I will be taking a lot pictures.
For now I'm just hoping to go here.

More info from the http://azstateparks.com website.
Lost Dutchman State Park. AZ
Mystery and Legend

The Superstition Mountains have been a source of mystery and legend since early times. The area is dotted with ancient cliff dwellings and caves, many showing signs of former habitation by a number of different Native American groups, up until the 1800s. Even the name is inspired by Pima Indian legends.

During the 1840s, the Peralta family of northern Mexico supposedly developed a rich gold mine in the Superstitions. According to legend, an Apache ambush ended the family's last expedition, and the gold remained in the area. In the 1870s, Jacob Waltz ("the Dutchman") was said to have located the mine through the aid of the Peralta descendant. Waltz and his partner, Jacob Weiser, worked in the mine and allegedly hid one or more caches of gold in the Superstitions. Most stories place the gold in the vicinity of Weaver's Needle.

After Waltz's death in 1891, several people attempted to seek out the Lost Dutchman's Mine, all without luck. Later searchers have sometimes met with foul play or even death, contributing to the superstition and legend of these mountains.

The legend of the "lost mine" has been fueled by a number of people who were supposed to have known the mine's location or even worked it. Maps have surfaced over the years, only to become lost or misplaced.

clipped from www.azstateparks.com

This Park is Scheduled to Close June 3, 2010

At the Janurary 15, 2010 meeting, the Arizona State Parks Board voted to keep nine parks open and close the remaining thirteen State Parks in a phased series of closures starting February 22, 2010, due to six different State Parks funds being swept of $8.6 million. In addition, four parks remain closed due to previous budget reductions. Learn More (Learn More)
clipped from www.youtube.com
clipped from www.azstateparks.com
Named after the fabled lost gold mine, Lost Dutchman State Park is located in the Sonoran Desert, 40 miles east of Phoenix. Several trails lead from the park into the Superstition Wilderness and surrounding Tonto National Forest. Take a stroll along the Native Plant Trail or hike the challenging Siphon Draw Trail to the top of the Flatiron. Depending on the year’s rainfall, you might be treated to a carpet of desert wildflowers in the spring. Enjoy a weekend of camping and experience native wildlife including coyote, javelina and jackrabbit.
Photograph of Lost Dutchman State Park
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Thursday, January 21, 2010

Papago Park, Tempe Arizona

The Papago Buttes in Phoenix, Arizona, USAImage via Wikipedia

  • "We went out to Tempe looking at a home that we thought we may be moving into. I have to say. This area was just awesome. If you ever get a chance to make it to Tempe, AZ its well worth it. The properties just seem very nice out this way. People jogging not scared to get mugged. Families walking around and just enjoying life. You wouldn't think the rest of the states is so bad off walking around here. We decide to go to Papago Park. Did some hiking and got in some exercise while we were there. This place is just Awesome. Right next to the Phoenix Zoo, they have these lakes to go fishing and these huge Rocks to climb up and around that the Indians here used to use. "

    tags: papago, AZ, Arizona, Tempe, Park, Hiking, Fishing


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Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Lake Pleasant, Arizona

Lake Pleasant, ArizonaImage via Wikipedia


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Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Papago Park

Papago Park, the Finish Line of the raceImage via Wikipedia


Though this is just outside of Phoenix and the East end in Tempe Arizona, Tempe has a lot to offer so far from what I see.

There are so many place to take pictures here, I'm not sure I can capture the feel of this place. But, I will try. Papgo Park, in Phoenix Arizona is just a nice place to get away from all the city noise and the constant on the go daily life that so many have. There is so much room and open space here. Even with a lot of people you still have areas to just get away for yourself. This place is just nice.


 

When you actually get to the Hole in Rock, the view is just awesome! I really cannot wait to get the sunset picture from here.
 

 

There are many areas around this Rock to just sit back and relax and just get away from it all.
 

From the parking lot of Papago Park. as you look up you can see some of people in the hole. I'm not sure on the history of this place fully yet. But it just looks like a nice area that Indians may have hung out or even lived at some point. I will be back on the actual information and post it here on this blog soon. There are so many more areas to check out in Papago Park. This is just the smallest Rock in the place. Can't wait to see the rest. I am really enjoying Phoenix more and more. Arizona Rocks! Literally. lol
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Pictures from Papago Park Phoenix, AZ

Downtown Phoenix south of Jefferson Street.Image via Wikipedia

There are many places to go in and throughout the Phoenix, AZ area. The desert not only is nice to get away from the snow and hard winter from many other states. I'm going to show some areas that we get to visit from time to time throughout the Phoenix Arizona area. I have to say. I really didn't think I would enjoy the desert as much as I do. But, after freezing for so many winters. This is a very nice change. Papago park is one of those places if feel I will be going to from time to time. It is also called Hole In Rock, believe it or not.



Being I wound up hurting my ankle awhile back, I finally decided to do my own type of physical therapy. Though I was very sore after this hike. I have to say it was worth it to get out with the family.
 
This hill or rock is called Hole in Rock. We even took picture of Hole in ground and Hole in cactus.
 

 
The views from this area is just amazing. As we walked around you can just see for miles and miles just the song.
 
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Phoenix, Arizona is well worth it if you can every make it here. The more we look around the better it seems to get. I will be adding yet more pictures of Papago Park and other places as we go. Be sure to follow this blog to see more in the future.

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