Here we are in Apache Junction, Arizona, about 1,000 miles into the trip. We are staying at an RV resort that caters to seasonal refugees from snowy climes - mostly from the Midwest and Canada. It was 90 degrees today - a real contrast to Redding. Cooper loves this place as he can run off leash with canine buddies in the clean and grassy dog park.
We spent the day exploring the Lost Dutchman State Park which is situated NE of Phoenix on Highway 88, otherwise known as Apache Trail. The park is in the Superstition Mountains, which supposedly harbor the legendary and infamous Lost Dutchman Mine. Legend has it that one Jacob Waltz (the Dutchman) was said to have discovered a fabulously rich gold deposit that was either cursed or protected by enigmatic guardians who wished to keep its location secret. Twenty-five people are said to have died over the years since the 1850's trying to find it. Most likely, the entire story is a hoax.
We climbed about 500 feet on a rocky, dusty trail that took us to a view that stretched for what looked to be more than 50 miles of rugged desert punctuated by saguaro cacti and multi-colored mountains of volcanic origin. The tall buildings of Phoenix were also visible.
We visited a "ghost town" that contained original buildings and gold mining equipment from 1893 that turned out to be a major tourist attraction - lots of hype, crowds of people, and high priced trinkets.
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