Texas Trip Day 9 Montezuma Castle and Well, Tuzigoot, Jerome

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North America » United States » Arizona
October 9th 2022

Published: October 10th 2022

Jamie and Laura

Another fantastic day! We actually had some rain yesterday and today, but yesterday was a desert cloudburst that lasted just while we were driving on a good road with windshield wipers on high, and today was just a half dozen raindrops that made it to us from a shower further away that gave us a rainbow. We have had a good visit with my stepsister/Jamie's stepdaughter Susan. It was great to connect!

Additional photos below

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Our first stop for the day was Montezuma Castle

Our first stop for the day was Montezuma Castle

Our first stop for the day was Montezuma Castle

The most interesting thing here was the comparison between the cliff dwelling, which was in really good shape,

The most interesting thing here was the comparison between the cliff dwelling, which was in really good shape,

The most interesting thing here was the comparison between the cliff dwelling, which was in really good shape,

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PXL_20221009_165721226.1

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and the free-standing structures, which were barely there because they were more exposed to the elements.

Our next stop was Montezuma Well

Our next stop was Montezuma Well

Our next stop was Montezuma Well

Which is a natural limestone sinkhole that holds over 15 million gallons of water and doesn't deplete, even in times of severe drought.

Which is a natural limestone sinkhole that holds over 15 million gallons of water and doesn't deplete, even in times of severe drought.

Which is a natural limestone sinkhole that holds over 15 million gallons of water and doesn't deplete, even in times of severe drought.

We hiked down to the bottom

We hiked down to the bottom

We hiked down to the bottom

And checked out two cliff dwellings, one on either side of the walls of the sinkhole.

And checked out two cliff dwellings, one on either side of the walls of the sinkhole.

And checked out two cliff dwellings, one on either side of the walls of the sinkhole.

The water is poisoned with high levels of arsenic.

The water is poisoned with high levels of arsenic.

The water is poisoned with high levels of arsenic.

So the Native Americans, in about 1100 or so, diverted the outflow of the well away from their freshwater river and into their fields to water their crops.

So the Native Americans, in about 1100 or so, diverted the outflow of the well away from their freshwater river and into their fields to water their crops.

So the Native Americans, in about 1100 or so, diverted the outflow of the well away from their freshwater river and into their fields to water their crops.

We spent the afternoon in Tuzigoot

We spent the afternoon in Tuzigoot

We spent the afternoon in Tuzigoot

Which was pretty extensive, but didn't have as many interesting features as Wupatiki.

Which was pretty extensive, but didn't have as many interesting features as Wupatiki.

Which was pretty extensive, but didn't have as many interesting features as Wupatiki.

From there we went to Jerome State Historic Park. The museum about the mining in the area was unfortunately closed

From there we went to Jerome State Historic Park. The museum about the mining in the area was unfortunately closed

From there we went to Jerome State Historic Park. The museum about the mining in the area was unfortunately closed

But we got to see the outside exhibits.

But we got to see the outside exhibits.

But we got to see the outside exhibits.

Our last stop of the day was the town of Jerome, which is an odd mixture of ghost town and currently thriving community. There were quite a few old buildings from the early mining days interspersed with modern buildings. It looked a lot like the older bui

Our last stop of the day was the town of Jerome, which is an odd mixture of ghost town and currently thriving community. There were quite a few old buildings from the early mining days interspersed with modern buildings. It looked a lot like the older bui

Our last stop of the day was the town of Jerome, which is an odd mixture of ghost town and currently thriving community. There were quite a few old buildings from the early mining days interspersed with modern buildings. It looked a lot like the older bui

ldings had been build on top of Native pueblos, but I couldn't confirm that.

Our day was capped off with a double rainbow in Jerome and a glorious orange full moon for our drive back to Susan's.

Our day was capped off with a double rainbow in Jerome and a glorious orange full moon for our drive back to Susan's.

Our day was capped off with a double rainbow in Jerome and a glorious orange full moon for our drive back to Susan's.

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