There is a lot to see in the Phoenix, AZ area. There are mountains all around the valley. In the recent years
it has grown to the point that when you come into the valley on the east, into Apache Junction, you find almost continual businesses and mobilehome parks including RV parks, ect. The valley is approximately 50 miles wide including Mesa, Tempe, Phoenix, Avondale, Goodyear and Buckeye. That is along US 60 and I10. There are numerous other towns that all run together with little distinction between them. Sun City used to be on the edge of town, and now there is Sun City West which is really 5 communities and now surprise is the edge of town.
The highways and interstates are huge. The interchanges run from small regular ones with on and off ramps to a short stack with 3 or 4 levels and the big stack with 5 or 6 levels. US 60 through Mesa and adjoining towns is 6 lanes wide, each way, plus entrance and exit ramps. This time of year, with the snowbirds in town, the rush hour seems to start about 6am and runs continually until about 10pm. However, traffic moves quite well and the cities have spent lots of money on their roads and seem to be keeping ahead of the growth.
The photos are of the Mining Camp Restaurant. Lots of old equipment and photos of the era of the gold rush in this area. You see the Superstition Mountains in the background, as well as three of us, Merle, Nancy and Clark as we prepare to eat our fill.
Yesterday we drove up to Tortilla Flats, another old time settlement started by another gold mine in the area, that was covered up by its owner before he died and no one has ever found it again. It obviously existed as he made lots of money from the mine, but no one else knew its whereabouts.
It is an interesting drive up sr88 out of Apache Junction. A narrow mountain road with generally a 25mph speed limit with 15mph curves and two one lane bridges. A really pretty drive.
We will be leaving Mesa on Thursday for Yuma and then we will be heading back east.