I probably should separate this post into three different posts, but I am going to try to sum up this completely awesome day in one and just let the pictures do the talking. Yesterday was our last road trip day. Now we have several relaxing days with family in Tucson. So, in order to end on a high note, we filled this day with some planned and then unplanned, abandoned explorations. Not only were all the places we saw really cool, and absolutely different from each other in so many days, we ended up reading, learning and speaking to locals and finding out so much about each place. This one is going to be good, for real.
After driving through Holbrook on Route 66 we headed onto the 40, which is sad because that is why Route 66 went out of favor, and headed West towards Winslow. We wanted to go into Winslow and stand on the corner, maybe see a girl in a flatbed Ford, but we missed the exit talking about the trip. Oh well! So, instead, we got off at the 2 Guns exit. So 2 Guns, in a summation, was owned by family that set up a roadside attraction. They needed more money, to they leased the land to this guy. This guy made up a tale of all tales, creating a full Native American persona and opening up more roadside attractions, including an indigenous animal zoo. In addition, in Diablo Canyon which ran through the zoo, he found a cave that held the skeletal remains of several Apache Indians massacred in a massacre. And so he capitalized on all of this while leasing the land. Then he did some sketchy stuff with the bones and with the owners, but was never put in jail, although tried. Basically, many misfortunes fell upon him including fire, mountain lion attacks, gila monster bites, until it closed. someone bought it after that, maybe in the 79's (not sure) and out up a KAMP, but it never lasted and closed. It is said that THE Russel Crowe bought the land to remake the movie Westworld, but as of today, nothing has come of it.
So,on that note. which we really did not know, we pulled off of 40 and into this first lot. I wanted to see the canyon so I walked up to the edge. That was where I first saw all the ruins, littering the land, of the zoo. They were all over the place, showing their 100 year old age. After snapping some images, I waled back to the car. Big Man on 2 Guns was on the phone with work, but I deeply encouraged him to go check it out. He was not disappointed. we then headed into the KAMP. This was what I had read about. The main building was completely dilapidated, and the pool was a beautiful array of tile and graffiti. We had so much fun watching the San Fransisco Peaks through the open walls, lying in the pool and for Little Girl learning to read, looking at the graffiti (so glad when she sounded out the f word on the wall - PRIDE!!!!)
Upon leaving, we fond this old road and followed it. It led us right to the entrance of the zoo, not blocked off at all, and so we walked in, no admission fee, how lucky are we, and took a walking tour. The ruins still stood, cages still partially intact, bridge still spanning the canyon. We wandered as only we could, until the phone rand and called us back to reality. Lots more to see.
On our way to our next stop, Goodyear. It was at this time, we read about 2 Guns and found out about the cave. A little disappointed, but there is always a next time. After driving the loop around Phoenix, we met up with an old college friend at the Phoenix Trotting Park. Not thirty seconds after we got there, this white Ford pulls up. we were busted. We had done nothing wrong as we were just planning our entrance, so no fine or handcuffs. However, we did get some great images of the outside, and after Big Man buttered up the security man, we got access to a service road for images of the futuristic park. We also got some serious History: The park was a horse racing park made in the 60's before the 10. No one went. It just lasted 2 seasons due to how lard it was to get there, the heat and other factors. It was before its time. And so it has sat since the mid 60's. The only action it has gotten was the making of the Sheen father son movie Code of Conduct. And, since it is made with asbestos, it cannot be imploded because then the asbestos will be airborne,so it sits.empty, in decay and a menace. The guy said he has arrested over 100 folks trying to break in. They jump off it (which is insane because it is huge), one fell through a shaft, there is asbestos, rats, bats and dead birds all over the joint). I like abandoned , but I like my health better, so we passed, got outside images and left.
Last stop, Casa Grande. So, normally folks go to Casa Grande to see the the ruins. Not us. we went to the domes. Right off of 8 is a series of caterpillar/spaceship looking domes. The structures are made of cement and this foam substance. They had a great echo, were terribly eerie and super cool. The graffiti, or some of it, was rather impressive. The tops were riddled with these circular holes and other holes and cracks of time. There were long man made holes in the ground and even tunnels. They were so odd. They were AWESOME!! History lesson: the domes were built with balloons, concrete, foam and a dream of a woman's from California in the early 80's. She was going to create a computer company. She and the company didn't make it, the bank took over the loan, the company never got on its feet and the domes have sat empty since they were built. Little girl loved this stop especially as she could wander, echo and explore without as much debris around her. She climbed, jumped, sand, stomped her way around the domes. we had recruited a college friend to join us and she enjoyed our craziness and was as in awe of the location as we were. As the sun was setting in southern Arizona, we realized this was our last travel day. we took a couple more shots, the sun adding color and shadows and then headed back to the 10. Sugar Skeleton woman from Chandler headed to Phoenix, us to Tucson. And at 1532 miles and 36 hours after picking up the Chrysler 200 in El Paso, we arrived at the airport to drop off the car. Heads spinning, eyes tired, backs a little achy, Little Curly Girly a talkative LP, we met up with the elder family member of our brood and went to our final destination. Full of stories, we ate, talked, laughed and finally passed out. This was a great trip, a great day. Thank you to my wonderful husband for making this a reality. Next few weeks will be hard to compare but I have time to make it happen.
After driving through Holbrook on Route 66 we headed onto the 40, which is sad because that is why Route 66 went out of favor, and headed West towards Winslow. We wanted to go into Winslow and stand on the corner, maybe see a girl in a flatbed Ford, but we missed the exit talking about the trip. Oh well! So, instead, we got off at the 2 Guns exit. So 2 Guns, in a summation, was owned by family that set up a roadside attraction. They needed more money, to they leased the land to this guy. This guy made up a tale of all tales, creating a full Native American persona and opening up more roadside attractions, including an indigenous animal zoo. In addition, in Diablo Canyon which ran through the zoo, he found a cave that held the skeletal remains of several Apache Indians massacred in a massacre. And so he capitalized on all of this while leasing the land. Then he did some sketchy stuff with the bones and with the owners, but was never put in jail, although tried. Basically, many misfortunes fell upon him including fire, mountain lion attacks, gila monster bites, until it closed. someone bought it after that, maybe in the 79's (not sure) and out up a KAMP, but it never lasted and closed. It is said that THE Russel Crowe bought the land to remake the movie Westworld, but as of today, nothing has come of it.
So,on that note. which we really did not know, we pulled off of 40 and into this first lot. I wanted to see the canyon so I walked up to the edge. That was where I first saw all the ruins, littering the land, of the zoo. They were all over the place, showing their 100 year old age. After snapping some images, I waled back to the car. Big Man on 2 Guns was on the phone with work, but I deeply encouraged him to go check it out. He was not disappointed. we then headed into the KAMP. This was what I had read about. The main building was completely dilapidated, and the pool was a beautiful array of tile and graffiti. We had so much fun watching the San Fransisco Peaks through the open walls, lying in the pool and for Little Girl learning to read, looking at the graffiti (so glad when she sounded out the f word on the wall - PRIDE!!!!)
Upon leaving, we fond this old road and followed it. It led us right to the entrance of the zoo, not blocked off at all, and so we walked in, no admission fee, how lucky are we, and took a walking tour. The ruins still stood, cages still partially intact, bridge still spanning the canyon. We wandered as only we could, until the phone rand and called us back to reality. Lots more to see.
On our way to our next stop, Goodyear. It was at this time, we read about 2 Guns and found out about the cave. A little disappointed, but there is always a next time. After driving the loop around Phoenix, we met up with an old college friend at the Phoenix Trotting Park. Not thirty seconds after we got there, this white Ford pulls up. we were busted. We had done nothing wrong as we were just planning our entrance, so no fine or handcuffs. However, we did get some great images of the outside, and after Big Man buttered up the security man, we got access to a service road for images of the futuristic park. We also got some serious History: The park was a horse racing park made in the 60's before the 10. No one went. It just lasted 2 seasons due to how lard it was to get there, the heat and other factors. It was before its time. And so it has sat since the mid 60's. The only action it has gotten was the making of the Sheen father son movie Code of Conduct. And, since it is made with asbestos, it cannot be imploded because then the asbestos will be airborne,so it sits.empty, in decay and a menace. The guy said he has arrested over 100 folks trying to break in. They jump off it (which is insane because it is huge), one fell through a shaft, there is asbestos, rats, bats and dead birds all over the joint). I like abandoned , but I like my health better, so we passed, got outside images and left.
Last stop, Casa Grande. So, normally folks go to Casa Grande to see the the ruins. Not us. we went to the domes. Right off of 8 is a series of caterpillar/spaceship looking domes. The structures are made of cement and this foam substance. They had a great echo, were terribly eerie and super cool. The graffiti, or some of it, was rather impressive. The tops were riddled with these circular holes and other holes and cracks of time. There were long man made holes in the ground and even tunnels. They were so odd. They were AWESOME!! History lesson: the domes were built with balloons, concrete, foam and a dream of a woman's from California in the early 80's. She was going to create a computer company. She and the company didn't make it, the bank took over the loan, the company never got on its feet and the domes have sat empty since they were built. Little girl loved this stop especially as she could wander, echo and explore without as much debris around her. She climbed, jumped, sand, stomped her way around the domes. we had recruited a college friend to join us and she enjoyed our craziness and was as in awe of the location as we were. As the sun was setting in southern Arizona, we realized this was our last travel day. we took a couple more shots, the sun adding color and shadows and then headed back to the 10. Sugar Skeleton woman from Chandler headed to Phoenix, us to Tucson. And at 1532 miles and 36 hours after picking up the Chrysler 200 in El Paso, we arrived at the airport to drop off the car. Heads spinning, eyes tired, backs a little achy, Little Curly Girly a talkative LP, we met up with the elder family member of our brood and went to our final destination. Full of stories, we ate, talked, laughed and finally passed out. This was a great trip, a great day. Thank you to my wonderful husband for making this a reality. Next few weeks will be hard to compare but I have time to make it happen.