The Verde Valley

We left the Palm Springs area on Monday and left all the wind generators behind.

And late on Monday, we arrived in The Verde Valley of Arizona, just south of Sedona. On Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, we drove into Phoenix for Doctor appointments for Mike. We saw a back surgeon who decided surgery was not the best answer. So, we went to a pain specialist and Mike got two shots in his back - the jury is still out as to the effectiveness.

On Saturday, we spent three hours sitting at the clubhouse and sold nary a thing. We then packed a picnic lunch and headed out to find our third cache at the Verde Valley Salt Mine. What an interesting place that turned out to be.

In 1877, an early settler to this area made his first dollar in Arizona by loading a wagon with salt for the local Suttler's Store at Camp Verde, a military post. There is also a story that in old west days, mummified bodies were found in this area; seems they had been preserved by the salt.

We met some rock hounds when we parked the car and found out that this is a very popular place to hunt for a fragile and beautiful clear stone that looks almost like a rose. Armed with little knowledge, we decided to look for some precious stones as well.

Mike gave his back a workout, but he eventually found the cache (which told about the area in which we were standing) buried partway under a bush and covered with a log.

The salt was definitely evident, everywhere you looked and as I type this, I can still feel the dryness in my hands after having "played" in it for a couple of hours.

Of course, I was able to find some evidence of spring on the floor of this old mining area.

I will have to go back in a day or two to see what these look like when open.

The sky was magnificent today and it made for some great panoramas - isn't that hole in the clouds amazing.

Later, we went to check out some spots along the Verde River. The sky and the weather changed by the minute with rain coming once during the day and sunshine 10 minutes and 2 miles later.
I did find some different flowers bursting forth.

And we saw some caves across the river - wonder what their story is...

The river was full with the spring rain the area has received. There were many people out canoeing the river.

It was a fun day, after a rather long and tedious week. And I enjoyed playing with my camera again. I can't pass up a gate - this one was back by the salt mine.

Till next week...