Sunday, February 10, 2008

THE SOUTHERN CROSS MINE(S)












Near the town of "Bouse" Arizona lies an historical range of mountains and its array of abandoned mines: silver and copper that I am aware of, and perhaps other valuable minerals as well.
It's a bit of a jaunt through the high desert, but everything is a jaunt out here, lol.

Paul and I took the RZR to the mine, then spent the day exploring and imagining its history. The area that looks like a large old stone wall is actually an old stagecoach station! How cool is that!
I took a photo of a saguaro cactus, growing out of a mountain ledge. I can't imagine how these huge plants can survive in such an environment.
Abandoned mines are everwhere, often at the tops of hills and completely accessible. You have to be careful not to drive into one of these open holes, which can be very deep.

"The Southern Cross" is supposedly a natural formation on the side of the mountain that is visible in the evening light. I say supposedly, because I have been trying to research it online and am not finding any solid information.
At any rate, it is a lovely and mysterious area that is fascinating to explore. We ate our picnic at the stagecoach station, imagining John Wayne here, sitting high atop his stagecoach.

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