Arizona - Gilbert Ray to Casa Grande

The skies had cleared when we packed up to head northward from Gilbert Ray Campground near Tucson to Sunscape RV Resort near Casa Grande, Arizona. 

part of the Saguaro National Forest

Picacho Peak is very distinct - there is a State Park here

caught this fellow as he was perched in a Ocotillo while we were filling with gas

This park is a Passport America park and an over 55 gated community. We paid $17.50/night for power, water and sewer and wifi. This is a very friendly park and everyone wants to know if you are staying for awhile. Unfortunately we will be out of here on the 12th.

Gambel's Quail

some of the local residents

love their forelock
 

Mourning Dove that came to perch on our rear view mirror last night

We drove 10 miles to the Casa Grande Ruins near Coolidge, AZ.  We got there ten minutes before a tour was to leave and were very glad to partake because the tour guide was excellent.  She had been a librarian's assistant for 20 years but had never spoke in public before volunteering at this National site.

this structure is 60 feet tall and 4 stories high

the covering was added to prevent further deterioration of this historic site

this is the largest known structure of the Ancestral People of the Sonoran Desert

the original ground level is three feet below the present day level

a closeup of the walls made from a clay like substance

round hole on left is the Summer Solstice Alignment which occurs yearly and
the square hole on the right is the Lunar Alignment only occurring once every 18 1/2 years

the logs for the separation of floors were brought from 60 miles away

the base of the walls is 4 feet wide tapering as the walls rose

some of the other walls and remnants of buildings

this is another old relic!

 

As we were driving back to the park we spotted a crop duster.  What an amazing feat of flying!

lots of power lines to deal with