Arizona Girls Trip - Day 3

 It's a beautiful morning and we think we've outrun the cold.  Yep, it's actually pretty toasty out there now.  We're out of our house, fed and ready for adventure.  We have tickets for a steamboat, this afternoon, and thus are en route to it.  When I was researching this trip,  I came across a place called Red Knolls Amphitheater in Arizona.  Might as well check it out.

Although it has been misused - graffiti/trash, etc., it's still a pretty cool thing to see and I take off to check it out.

Just east of Pima, Red Knolls is an immense clay formation that rises to the left of lengthy cotton fields. Hal Herbert, of the Graham Historical Association and Restoration Committee, and Jay Rasco, of Southeastern Arizona Clean and Beautiful, recently took Gila Valley Central on a historical tour of the area.  “There are two major events,” Herbert said. “Historically, when Coronado came in his exploration in the early to mid-1500s, the guy that was writing for him, his secretary, indicated that they saw a structure that they (called) “Chichilticali”, meaning red house. Many people believe because it looks red in the sunlight that this is Chichilticali. Many people from New Mexico don’t want to accept that because they think that the Coronado went on the other side of the Gila Mountains in New Mexico.”  Although historians and archaeologists are still searching for Chichilticali (pronounced, Chee-CHIL-tee-CAHL-ley,) to end the debate of Coronado’s true route, the mystery remains unsolved because of the lack of historical evidence.  “That’s what I would suspect,” Herbert said. “And that’s what local historians have always thought but nobody has really proven it.”

Hmm - maybe better for size perspective.

A little artsy - 

While the earliest history of Red Knolls is shrouded in mystery, its later history is well documented.  Eastern Arizona College, though at the time it was the Gila Junior College, produced outdoor pageants located at Red Knolls. Due to the high reflective acoustic atmosphere of the natural clay formation, the college saw the location as a perfect natural amphitheater.  Ironically, the seventh pageant presented at Red Knolls was a play titled “The Conquistadors.”  While some may think the college pageants were minor affairs, they would be wrong. The fourth pageant “Joan of Arc” was considered to be the most spectacular up to that time. Horses were used in the production, and the gate receipts for one night were totaled to be worth $2,060. There were electrical lights, and a stage was built for the performance.

Harvey L Taylor, a former president of EAC, wrote an article titled “A Theater in the Desert” about the productions at Red Knolls. Taylor described the pageants and the difficulties and triumphs.  “To produce the operetta at this spot presented many serious problems,” Taylor wrote. “The road to the Knolls was very poor, and there was no water within six miles. However, on April 25, 1927, the Gila Junior College presented its first production at Red Knolls. This performance was attended by 1,500 people. The committee had not anticipated such a tremendous crowd and had provided seats for only 500.”

Although the number of people attending the pageants were impressive, the pageant that received the largest audience was “The Prince of Egypt.” Based on the biblical story of Joesph, who was sold into Egypt, the play was the most spectacular of all the pageants, according to Taylor. More than 4,000 people attended the pageant, and horses, chariots and mules were used in the production. Rotarians traveled from all of the state of Arizona to attend the show.

Now Red Knolls rests quietly in the Gila Valley sunlight. Bees build honeycombs in the walls where mighty productions boomed with music 90 years prior. Rasco struggles to bring back the natural beauty of the location by cleaning up the mess left behind by partiers and gun enthusiasts. While some visitors have burned immense pallet fires, leaving only the nails from the pallets behind, gun enthusiast have taken to using the knolls as their personal range. However, many gun-enthusiasts have not cleaned up after themselves, leaving bullet casings and other miscellaneous trash.

Yep, we're all here.

After exploring that area, I drive us around to the other side and go cross-country a bit to check out another cool spot.  I'm off again - although the glass is pretty bad here, too.

This is worth the trek - I'm climbing over and around multiple formations.  Love how the rocks are trapped inside that one section.

Well, I'm the last one back to the vehicle - guess that means it's time to go.  We are planning on meeting up with the other car at Goldfield Ghost Town.  The first two cars arrive and hunt down food and seating for everyone.

There is a warning at the entrance that reads, "This is an authentic 1890s Ghost Town site.  There are hazardous conditions at any Ghost Town and old mining sites.  Uneven walking surfaces, rocks, hills, steep cliffs and drop offs, old wooden sidewalks, porches, stairs, steps and railings.  Timber splinters, old rusty mining equipment, horses, buggy's, cars, train, and crossings.  Rattlesnakes & Bees, etc. do come in from time to time.  If you choose to proceed beyond this point, do so at your own risk.  Wear proper shoes and clothing.  What where you put your feet.  The small rocks on the ground can be slippery, especially on hills up or down.  Watch your step!"  Then there is the liability thing and I just think they are being pretty clear.  Be careful ladies.

The third car arrives and joins us for their meal.  I KNOW someone took a group picture, but it wasn't me and I can't find it online.  It is what it is.  After lunch - ice cream is gotten by some --- BIG ice cream cones.

As we are leaving, I take a look around and across the way are the Superstition Mountains. The Superstition Mountains are steeped in lore and myths, including stories of buried gold and the legendary Dutchman's lost mine, adding to the mystique of the region.   

Alright - it's almost time for our Steamboat cruise - let's go.

I caught a few of us - 

We're on and have a table inside and outside.  Makes it easy to move back and forth.

Ramona, Sharman, and Linda are inside to start.

The rest of us are outside - soaking up sun and warmth.  Look at me wearing a hat.  Mister would be so proud.

I'll just share some of the beautiful views with which we are gifted and we cruise Canyon Lake.

Saguaro Cactus!  We are treated to some cool information from our tour guide - Saguaros have a relatively long lifespan, often exceeding 150 years. They may grow their first side arm around 75–100 years of age, but some never grow any arms. Arms are developed to increase the plant's reproductive capacity, as more apices lead to more flowers and fruit. A saguaro can absorb and store considerable amounts of rainwater, visibly expanding in the process, while slowly using the stored water as needed. This characteristic enables the saguaro to survive during periods of drought.

It's amazing how they just survive in all terrains.  However, native only in a few places.

We are told that there is an eagle next at the top of this column.

I guess there is a little white blob that I can see.

Perhaps a bird in flight makes it more possible.  Also, if I had the good camera with me.  Must remember to bring from now on.

Maybe???

Back to cruising - crazy how green the water is.

Human life, lol.

Yes! Out of many, many pics, I do have the mountain goats.

And we're back.  I LOVED it!  Our captain was so knowledgeable and very kind.

Wow - where has this day gone?  We are heading into Glendale and our AirBNB for the night.

It's another lovely home.  

Car number 3 is staying elsewhere, so it's time to find a place to eat.  The girls find a brewery for me and we are off to North Mountain Brewing Company.  Nice.

And that's it for today.  We are heading to retreat in the morning.  See you there.