We Liked Casa Grande...

Our primary reason for staying in Casa Grande was to visit with Carmel & Mel. However, we were pleasantly surprised by the amount of activity at the RV Resort. This site is primarily occupied by park models - or little houses with space to park an RV if you have one. The houses are 1 or 2 bedrooms, bath, small living area & kitchen. It's a way for people to economically stay in an area for a longer period of time - like the snowbirds and not have to stay in your coach. Although I do think many no longer own an RV and live here year round. The resort has a nice ballroom and books shows from as far away as Branson. We were able to hear a few songs by the Branson Brothers - not a big name but we enjoyed their Ozark-style of music....reminded us of home. Of course, other activities are bingo, zingo, shuffleboard (can't forget shuffleboard), billiards etc. We were also impressed by the size of the town. The population is around 33,000, but it has most of the big box stores besides a decent mall with Dillards and an outlet mall. We would stay here again in the future.

We did a little sightseeing. One day we went to the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument. It is one of the largest prehistoric structures in North America built by the Hohokam people and its purpose, to this day, remains a mystery. Archaeologists discovered evidence that the ancient Sonoran Desert People who built the Casa Grande ("big house") also developed irrigation farming and trade which lasted over 1000 years. The window & doorways align with the sun or moon at significant times of the year. The Hohokam devised a calendar system based on the movements of the sun and moon and incorporated that knowledge into their architecture. But to this day no one knows to what use they put this information. It was abandoned in the mid 1450's by the desert people who left no written language behind, so most historic accounts began with visits and archaeological digs journaled by American explorers as early as 1600's.


Casa Grande Ruins - part of the National Monument system


We also drove the Apache Trail. The trail is a 100 mile loop with the most beautiful scenery surrounding the Superstitious Mountains. It has been rated by Frommers as the "most scenic drive in Arizona". The views are more magnificent at each turn and the pictures really don't do it justice. We only drove 33 miles since the rest of the mountain roads are not paved and still had some standing water from the recent rains. Within that distance we stopped at the Goldfield Mines & Ghost Town - supposedly an authentic town that was booming in the late 1800's. If it truly was a real town it was awesome to walk the streets just like Matt Dillion & Miss Kitty.

We also, stopped at Tortilla Flats, a small Incorporated community that is the last surviving stagecoach stop along the Apache Trail. It is also the smallest community to have a working U.S. Post Office and voters precinct with a population of 6. Yes that is not a typo...total population is six. Currently there is a restaurant, gift shop, ice cream & candy parlour.

Another stop was at Canyon Lake & Marina were we stopped for lunch. We had to sit outside to reap the benefit of the beautiful lake but it was a little chilly...no wonder we've had 3 colds in 3 months!


Canyon Lake & Superstitious Mountains


Ate lunch at the Lakeside Restaurant overlooking Canyon Lake


Onward to Tucson...again.

Hope all is well!

Joan & Ron