These old stone ruins surely have a story to tell, but they're not talking. I was exploring west of the Santa Cruz River yesterday afternoon when I came upon them.
Standing all alone in the desert southwest of Picacho Peak, they are built of the volcanic rock that was the areas most abundant building resource a century ago. Most of the lintels are gone, but a few remain. The walls of the interior were plastered white, and the home must have been something to see in it's heyday.
The cresote bushes in the front yard may be as old as a thousand years, but that's another story. (Google creosote bushes if you're interested.)
That's Picacho Peak in the midground of the photo. It's the site of the most westerly battle of the Civil War. I wish you could have come along for the hike. Maybe next time. Call me.
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A goal in 2010 is to take more time for myself. You will be seeing me down south. BTW, UofA ALL THE WAY!!! What a game and what a tremendous bus ride home!
Okay, I love the photo, but asking me to come along on a hike is a little too much!
Hmmm...what do you think the lone hiker will think of our homes in the next century?
Oh, is this why you wanted to know if I was coming to Tuc-son? That would have been fun. There is a ghost town somewhere around there. I've been to it, but that was in the 80's and I don't remember exactly where it was.
should have had this here
LOL!
Mike, This is what I call a heavy fixer, not for the novice. Hope you had a creat Thanksgiving
Mike, The Tucson area is on my bucket list for sure. When I get out that way, I will look you up...
Helping you live your American dream...
Mike,
Loren Green said it better than I could.
This link is worth following.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOgs42dnZjs
Thanks.
Bill
Wow! If you could find out the history of the building that would prove interesting.
The only problem with the resalemay be the appraisal. If the appraiser is on his or her toes, he or she may require a roof certification.
Another GREAT Mike Jones photo. Makes you wonder who lived there and where did they go. What did they do to survive? Just the kind of thing I would hike the trails for! Thanks for sharing. (**heading upstairs ... I have another $5 for the Tuscon trip jar!**)
Mike, So you've invited me and Doreen to Tucson. maybe we should get together sometime and do that.
I showed my son who is an artist and likes to paint beautiful skies your pictures. He loved them.
Very, very cool. What is a "lintel"?
If the stones could talk what a story we might hear. Thanks letting us take a peek into history.
I would happily have gone on that hike with you.
Hope you had a great Thanksgiving with lots of fun and food with family and friends.
Mike I love to take hikes in unique areas - much more interesting and educational than a walk in town
Karen,
That it is! And who thought December would come this quickly?
Mike in Tucson
hey Mike, I saw this on facebook and came over to check it out! I always enjoy the pictures you post after doing some exploring!
Russell,
I love that Facebook link! Thanks for stopping by; I'll see you on your blog.
Mike in Tucson
Beautiful site for a home... wish I was there for that walk.
Mike - That photo really makes you contemplate the history of the building!
Mike - Great pictue as always. I didn't know that civil way battles happened in Arizona. I'm not sure why anyone would bother.
Mike, I usually think of Arizona as being flat desert. Now I'll have to go look at a map to see those mountain peaks. The "How the Earth was Made" tv series has "peaked" my interest in geology. Thanks for the great photo.
Sallie,
It's not flat at all! The San Francisco Peaks had a blizzard warning for all of today, as did much of the state above 6,000 feet.
Larry,
People got killed at that battle, so someone cared.
BarbaraJo,
That's my sentiment exactly.
JD,
Let's go hike there next time you come west.
Mike in Tucson
Mike - this looks like an incredibly interesting hike, and the scenery is amazing. Thanks for sharing!
That area has many pre-historic as well as historic sites--including the westernmost battlefield of the Civil War at Picacho. Let's work to make sure the state and the railroads don't destroy these sites just as the rest of the nation is commemorating the Civil War 150th anniversary (2011-15)!