Final day in Arizona and we had about a five hour road trip to get back down to Phoenix to head home early in the morning. We went a different route, winding on some serious hair pin roads heading down into the Salt River Canyon. What an amazing site to see. Different colors in the cliffs, beautiful clear blue water and white rapids. New greens were sprouting out of the earth giving the area an almost unrealistic feel. Once up out of the canyon, our abandoned stop was literally right off the road. Known as the Seneca Lake Resort, this small resort community sits nestled among trees and hills. We went and saw the four cabins and the clubhouse. Turns out, it was an Apache dream to make this resort which would one day include riding stables and even a golf course. However, the community went default on the loan and everything but the shells were taken back. The cabins were bleak except for the steps. The wood details on the chimneys were quite lovely, though but revealed they were only a shell on top of cinder blocks. we had actually learned on the Hopi Reservation that the use of cinder blocks is one of the most common materials used to build homes on reservations due to their inexpensive cost. However, they must be insulated...
The main meeting building was incredible. Colors, stonework and a huge indoor chimney made for an amazing journey. We later drove to the lake which was quite beautiful. The pavilions had grills and some actually looked recently used. Seems like too beautiful spot to be wasted.
Our ride continued towards Phoenix. We drove through Globe trying to find the open pit mine but this one was one we could not view on our own so we drove on. Next!!! The continued drive was pleasant, filled with music, stories and the sweet melodic sound of the GPS woman, known in our home at Sally.
Arrival to Phoenix... Check into hotel...get new rental car... Good byes to the in laws :(...and then on to our home for the next 11 hours. A quick swim in the pool, showers, a great dinner at La Fonda and we were almost done.
One of the best parts of the trips happened post eating. We drove around Tempe/ Mesa and my husband, who once lived in the area, gave us a tour of all the apartments in which he lived. We then went to his old place of employment, Applebees, on Alma School and Baseline. He was a pig in s@$! reliving his youth and I was since I got to meet up with a dear college friend living on the area. Many hilarious, eye tearing laughs and big hugs later, we rounded super sleepy little girl into the Hyundai rental and headed back to the room. A great end to an most wonderful vacation. How can't family, good food, National Parks, history and the West's abandoned be the best? One for the books. Now off to plan our next adventure.
The main meeting building was incredible. Colors, stonework and a huge indoor chimney made for an amazing journey. We later drove to the lake which was quite beautiful. The pavilions had grills and some actually looked recently used. Seems like too beautiful spot to be wasted.
Our ride continued towards Phoenix. We drove through Globe trying to find the open pit mine but this one was one we could not view on our own so we drove on. Next!!! The continued drive was pleasant, filled with music, stories and the sweet melodic sound of the GPS woman, known in our home at Sally.
Arrival to Phoenix... Check into hotel...get new rental car... Good byes to the in laws :(...and then on to our home for the next 11 hours. A quick swim in the pool, showers, a great dinner at La Fonda and we were almost done.
One of the best parts of the trips happened post eating. We drove around Tempe/ Mesa and my husband, who once lived in the area, gave us a tour of all the apartments in which he lived. We then went to his old place of employment, Applebees, on Alma School and Baseline. He was a pig in s@$! reliving his youth and I was since I got to meet up with a dear college friend living on the area. Many hilarious, eye tearing laughs and big hugs later, we rounded super sleepy little girl into the Hyundai rental and headed back to the room. A great end to an most wonderful vacation. How can't family, good food, National Parks, history and the West's abandoned be the best? One for the books. Now off to plan our next adventure.