Our 2022 road trip continues in Peoria, AZ where we spent the longest time in one place. We always look for new and interesting things to explore without having to drive too far, but sometimes it’s just not that easy. A two-hour day trip (each way) is usually out of the question, but Roosevelt Lake was definitely worth the extra time in the car!

Click on the first photo in each group and scroll to see the square photos at full size.
To start at the beginning of this series, visit So Long Snow 2022.

Montezuma Castle

Since my California cousin was still in town, we decided to take a trip up the road about an hour for a little exploring. We were told about a great lunch stop about halfway and since we didn’t get a very early start, we decided to make that our first stop. Chilleens on 17 (pictured above) got a facelift on Bar Rescue Season 3, episode 9, “A Horse Walks into a Bar.” They must still be implementing what they learned ten years ago, because our lunch today was delicious!

The first time we visited Montezuma Castle was a gorgeous day in June with friends. We thoroughly enjoyed the benches that were strategically placed, to relax and bask in the sun after getting a dose of history. Today was a terrible day – chilly with clouds and brisk winds – but thankfully no rain. We didn’t bask, not even once unfortunately, but we definitely enjoyed the stop.

“On December 8, 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt celebrated the passage of the Antiquities Act by declaring four sites of historic and cultural significance as our nation’s first National Monuments. Among these was Montezuma Castle, which the President identified as a place “of the greatest ethnological value and scientific interest.”

Early visitors to the monument were allowed access to the structure by climbing a series of ladders up the side of the limestone cliffs. However, due to extensive damage to this valuable cultural landmark, public access of the ruins was discontinued in 1951.” ~ READ MORE

Montezuma Well

Fifteen minutes further up the road is Montezuma Well. We crossed paths with very few people today, so clearly mid-February is a great time of year to visit. From the vantage point atop the Well, views of the expansive desert are breathtaking and offer peace, quiet, and a great place to think about life’s blessings.

“A seemingly endless supply of water must have been an oasis for the people who made their homes here. Over 1.5 million gallons of water flows into Montezuma Well every day and has not fluctuated much over the years. The water flows through over 150 feet of limestone and then into an irrigation ditch, which dates back over 1,000 years. It then spills into Beaver Creek – a tributary of the Verde River.” ~ From The Natural Beauty of Arizona

“The water in Montezuma Well has unusually high levels of dissolved carbon dioxide and arsenic, as well as calcuim and other chemicals. This combination prevents fish from living within the Well, but is also responsible for the evolution of the five endemic species found within the Well.” ~ READ MORE

Wickenburg

About forty minutes northwest of Cibola Vista is a nice little western town with plenty to keep you busy for the afternoon. Established in 1863, Wickenburg is the oldest town north of Tucson. Henry Wickenburg came here in search of gold, and was handsomely rewarded with nuggets from the Vulture Mine, where hundreds of thousands of ounces of gold and silver were extracted until around 1942.

The Desert Caballeros Western Museum was the highlight of this trip. With a large gallery attached to a great museum, we spent lots of time here checking out both. Bill Anton was the featured artist at the time, offering hundreds of fabulous southwest paintings. Some featured horses, cows, and cowboys – and some just pictured the great southwest in all of its glory.

The first two photos below are Anton’s, and the third is an adorable painting by George Molnar entitled “Red Rock Rodeo“.

“Located at the corner of US-60 and Tegner Street, sits a 200 year old mesquite tree that served as the Town jail from 1863 to 1890. Outlaws were chained to the tree to prevent their escape.

[The “jail” is pictured below and the rattler in the second photo is not real, thank goodness!]

… In 1895 the railroad arrived in Wickenburg. The historic depot still stands today as the Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce building.” ~ READ MORE

Roosevelt Lake

This was our longest drive, at four hours round trip – but oh, was it worth it! Although I had been by here many times over the years, I had always wanted Jim to see this fabulous lake. When we discovered his friends from high school now live here during the winter months, we just had to come for a visit! And WOW! Do they have a view from their digs (just below)!

Although we didn’t go out on the lake on this short visit, we sat on the back upper deck of their nephew’s gorgeous houseboat while it was docked at the Roosevelt Lake Marina. We put our feet up with a beer, watching a few boats go by like we owned the place! The water was like glass and the blue sky and red rock was just awesome!

A Lake Unlike Any Other

With 128 miles of sandy shoreline and crystal blue warm water framed by stunning red rocks, it’s not hard to see why. Only an hour and a half from metro Phoenix, it might as well be worlds away. ~ READ MORE

… and I think to myself – what a wonderful world!

Next up: Phoenix Finale

Happy trails,
Barb