SOUTHERN CROSS 2

2/12/08

Today we made another trip by RZR into the Southern Cross mine, a fascinating area. It's about a 20 mile trip through the desert, a twisty-turny, rough and dusty ride.

Gary and his wife, Jeri accompanied us with their RZR. We explored a mine we hadn't gone into before, and what a cool one it was. Lots of off-shoots , old wooden ladders and wood frames. The walls were a pinkish quartz like rock, really quite pretty.

When we decided to go home, Gary suggested an alternate route, through a mountain pass! What a BLAST traveling this high desert road home! Steep and rocky, a bit scary in places, and beautiful vistas to reward us at the top of the pass.

I was exhausted and exhiliarated when we returned. (and filthy with desert dust to boot)

Paul treated us all to dinner at the cafe after our much needed showers.

PARKER DAM

Parker Dam

Parker Dam is located on the border between Arizona and California. It was completed in 1938, and was created to bring both power and drinking water to Southern California. It is 320 feet high and 856 feet long. It separates Lake Havasu (the high side) from the Colorado River (the low side).

We saw Goldeneye and Ringneck Ducks along with Mergansers here.

POSTON MEMORIAL

Poston Memorial Monument.

This monument marks the site of the Poston War Relocation Center where 17,867 people of Japanese ancestry, most of whom were United States citizens, were interned during World War II. All persons of Japanese descent living on the west coast of California were forcibly evacuated from their homes and moved to relocation camps, including four that were located in Arizona.

When in operation,the camp in Poston became the third largest city in Arizona. The camp at the Gila River Indian Community was the fourth largest city after Phoenix and Tucson. Plaques and a kiosk recall stories of the people who were interned in Poston from May 1942 to November 1945.

LONDON BRIDGE IS......

Now located in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. :)

In 1962, it was discovered that the London Bridge (then in London England) was "falling down," sinking into the Thames because it was not adequate for the increase in traffic. The City of London decided to put the 130-year old bridge up for auction, and construct a new one in its place.
Robert P. McCulloch, founder of Lake Havasu City, AZ, submitted the winning bid for $2,460,000 in 1968. McCulloch spent another $7million to move the London Bridge to Lake Havasu City which took a total of three years. The bridge was shipped by boat 10,000 miles to Long Beach, California. From there, it was trucked to Lake Havasu City where it was stored in seven-acre fenced storage compound. On September 23, 1968, the Lord Mayor of London, Sir Gilbert Inglefield, laid the corner stone. Robert Beresfornd, a civil engineer from Nottingham, England was in charge of the reconstruction of the London Bridge in Lake Havasu City."

Reconstructing the London Bridge in Lake Havasu City was done in the same manner as the Egyptians built pyramids. Sand mounds beneath each arch were carefully formed to the profile of the original bridge arches, serving the same function as molds. When work was completed the sand was removed. a one-mile channel was dredged and water was diverted from the lake, under the Bridge, then back into the lake. The reconstructed London Bridge was dedicated in Lake Havasu City on October 10, 1971 with many British and Arizona officials participating in this event that drew 50,000 spectators.

George and Rachel graciously gave us a grand tour of this historic landmark. Very very interesting, and really quite beautiful.

WORK-A-DAY

Today was a "clean house, do laundry, catch up on all the extra work" day for me.

Paul and George went on another RZR expedition into the desert, and saw 5 Mule Deer at a water hole.

We went to our first "jam" at the park tonight, well attended and with a jovial atmosphere.

Afterwards, Paul listened to music and Bella took advantage of his empty lap.

ALAMO STATE PARK

2/9/07

It's been just a bit cool for riding the motorcycles, so when the temps reached mid 70's today, we hopped on the bikes with no particular destination in mind.

We went about 80 miles, but on these straight roads it doesn't seem like a long ride. The last 38 miles into the state park are really quite stunning, with ancient huge cacti, and pristine desert scenery.

The park itself houses Alamo Dam and the lake it created. It's fascinating to see a lake out here. The desert stops, and the lake begins. There isn't any foliage to speak of at the edge of the lake and river: Wouldn't you think there would be? It has water, so why not grow something green? But that is not how it works.

We are told there are lots of trees under the water, and that the bass fishing is superb. You can see this line of trees as the dark coloration in the muddy water.

Another (wildly different from Maine) fascinating ecology to be sure.

We returned home and had an absolutley wonderful dinner with George and Rachel. Delicious home made american chop suey, tossed salad and a yummy decadent chocolate dessert...mmmmm (thank you Rachel!)

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.