Echoes of the Southwest

You may know of ghost towns such as Tombstone, Jerome and Bisbee in Arizona, but the state has many more that are noteworthy.  These places also had enjoyed rich mines, interesting history, murder, deaths, and good times.  Nowadays, they are empty shells of what they used to be.  In other words, ghost towns. VULTURE MINE If you travel about 70 miles north of Phoenix and approximately 15 miles southwest of Wickenburg, you will find the ghost town of Vulture Mine. This once booming mining town now sits empty with many of the still standing structures slowing decaying with time. Underneath its dirt floors lay the many bones of those who crossed the wrong person and was buried right where they died. This ghost town is rumored to be haunted by the spirits of those who died there, and is an astonishing walk back into Arizona’s most colorful past.  Vulture Mine started mining gold in 1863 and proved to be one of the most industrious mines in Arizona’s hi...

Located at the marina in Canyon Lake is the Lakeside Restaurant and Cantina.  If you are there for lunch, it won't matter which day you show up because lunch is served 7 days a week.  As for breakfast, they offer that meal on Saturday and Sundays only.  If you want to enjoy the sunset over the Lake's waters, you have to wait until the weekend and Fridays for dinner.  Although meals are only served at certain times of the day and days of the week, the establishment is opened year-round.  They also have a large patio area for dining to enjoy the gorgeous views. Their menu includes burgers, salads, sandwiches, seafood, dessert and much more tasty delights. Website:   http://www.canyonlakerestaurant.com/

Set in the interior of the Superstition Mountains and only a short drive from Phoenix, sits the splendor of Canyon Lake.  Through the winding roads of the canyon, and the landscape with scattered cacti, a wondrous 950 acres body of water awaits you.  The surrounding mountains are painted with various colors where big horn sheep, deer, javelin, and various birds call home.  This is the perfect place to vacation and enjoy the many outdoor activities.  Canyon Lake provides a couple places for you to stay overnight and camp.  You can pitch a tent, or hook up your RV and swim, fish, or have a picnic nearby.  There are many places to hike and enjoy the idyllic view.  There are countless water activities as well.  You can waterski, Jet Ski, wind sail, or kayak.  How about taking your own boat out, rent one of their boats, or perhaps enjoy the scenery and water on the Steamboat Dolly.  Whatever you choose to do, Canyon Lake will prov...

A fantastic way to see the beauty of Canyon Lakes and colorful mountain, consider taking a steamboat cruise.  You will journey the waters of the lake up the bygone Apache Trail to breathtaking 360 degree views of amazing innate formations.  Along with nature’s beauties, you will see desert big horn sheep, bald eagles, other birds, and animals.  You can sit and unwind or stand and walk around the decks of this two story boat taking tons of photos.  While you are enjoying the cruise, your captain will give you an account of the history and mystery of the Superstition Mountains. The Dolly Steamboat has been managed by the Grimh family for 25 years.  The boat was named after its initial proprietors, Dolly and Paul Kennedy.  They began doing tours in 1983 until 1987 when the Grimh’s bought the steamboat.  Even though the Dolly didn’t reach the waters until the 1980’s, people were enjoying boating on the lake since 1925.  The first boat to hit ...

Only a short distance from the Superstition Mountain Museum is the Wild West town of Goldfield.  To one side you have a view of the Superstition Mountains and on the other side are the gorgeous Goldfield Mountains.  It was in 1892 when gold ore was discovered in the region, and not long afterwards, a town was built.  A year later, a post office was also erected, along with three saloons, a boarding house, a general store, brewery, blacksmith shop, butcher shop, and a school.  The town was full of life with many calling Goldfield home. Such as many of the mining towns around the state had experienced, the vein dried up and the town slowly started disappearing.  Five years after the small town began its life, the mines closed and Goldfield’s buildings were deserted and the place was just a memory. All hope wasn’t completely lost thanks to Jacob Waltz and his Lost Dutchman Mine.  Many miners and others headed out to the area in search of the mi...

Located below the Superstition Mountain and 3.5 mile northeast of Apache Junction, is the Superstition Mountain Museum.  Inside and outside the building, you will find information and exhibits of the history, urban legends, artifacts about these mysterious mountains, and places nearby. Through archeological data found in the area, they surmise that humans existed over 9,000 years ago.  More evidence shows that the Salado, Hohokam and Apache tribes also lived there.  Later the Spanish explorers and Mexican Gold Miners preceded them and then eventually the American trappers, cattlemen and farmers.  The mountains became famous for having “the riches gold mine in the world” hidden somewhere in the rugged terrain.   Jacob Waltz was known as the Dutchman and it was his mysterious mine many would risk and lose their lives trying to find.  He died in 1891 and took the secret to where the gold was buried to the grave with him.  All he left was a s...