Today Connie and Bill took us for a drive through the 4,000 foot high "White Tank Mountain Regional Park". Unfortunately, I did not realize we were taking this sight seeing tour, so I left my digital camera at the house. We took some pictures on Connie's camera, but I'm having trouble uploading them. It could be the slow dial-up connection I'm using here. I'll load some pictures when I can.
The White Tank Mountains got the name from depressions formed in the mountains from flood waters pouring down chutes and dropping off ledges, causing a series of depressions, or "tanks", in the white granite. These tanks, then, were used to store water... and there is evidence of agricultural activites that went on in early days by using the seasonal runoff and rain water. There are eleven archeological sites within the 29,000 acre park. Evidence indicates these were occupied sites from the time period of A.D. 500-1100.
Arizona is currently undergoing drought conditions, with no rain since October. This, of course, is totally opposite of the Pacific Northwest which is experiencing some record setting periods of rain! Anyway, as we were in the White Tank Mountain Park, it appeared even the cactus were dying due to the stress of the long period without water.
Driving through the park was like driving through a forest of cactus, as compared to a forest of trees. There were several varieties that I could take pictures of and I am anxious to post them when I can.
Tomorrow we will drive to Apache Junction to visit our friends, Carl & DiAnn Heath, from Wenatchee. We will probably come back to Phoenix on Sunday, and I will check back in with more fodder from our adventures when I can.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment