Ladee's Travels

  Nestled in the Sonoran Desert near Coolidge, Arizona, Casa Grande Ruins National Monument is a doorway into the ancient past. As a travel writer, I was captivated not only by the iconic “Great House”—a towering four-story adobe marvel—but also by the rich history and enduring spirit of the landscape and its people. 🏜️ A Monument Steeped in Time The Great House, constructed around 1350 CE, dominates the site with its caliche walls—Adobe crafted from desert subsoil hardened over centuries  . The structure is surrounded by a bustling Hohokam agricultural community that flourished from around 1150 to 1450 CE, sustained by an ingenious system of irrigation canals tapping into the Gila River  . Archaeologists believe Casa Grande served multiple roles: a ceremonial observatory aligned with solar and lunar events, a gathering spot, and a central node in a thriving trade network . While the Hohokam mysteriously abandoned the site around 1450 CE, descendants in the O’o...

Montezuma's Well is located east of Interstate 17 in Rimrock, AZ.  Take exit 293 and drive through McGuireville (stop at Nikki's Grill for a great meal) and Rimrock.  The location is well marked with signs.  Also, there is a really nice picnic area, so remember to pick up a lunch at Nikki's. The Well is not considered "accessible" as there are steps and rough paths.  I only had time to walk the upper path.  There is a continuation of the path that winds down the hill to the creek and returns to the parking lot. The information that I provide on this page was taken from the Park Service's information displayed around the area. The internet has many more details if you are interested.  There is no cost to enter. A donation is appreciated. Find the red box near the path exit.  It is across the parking lot near the restrooms.  This building is the office.  Rocks layer on either side of the path.  This is my first peek as I a...

In this area, the Hoodoos are large rocks that have tumbled down from a nearby cliff, landed in the valley below, and have had the ground underneath them gradually washed away. These are located in a pull over area, complete with diagrams and more information, on the road to Lees Ferry from 89a.  To give some perspective as to the size, compare the size of a fellow photographer to the rock.  The morning sun is beginning to shine through the clouds and light the cliffs.

The Vermilion Cliffs National Monument is located in the upper northern part of Arizona on the Colorado Plateau.  This wall of cliffs extends for miles.  The area is a remote and unspoiled 280,000 acre geologic treasure. This panoramic was taken at a pull over spot on the road that descends to Lee's Ferry from 89A.

Dwellings sheltered by overhanging cliffs were home to Walnut Canyon's only permanent inhabitants more than 800 years ago.  The people are today known as Sinagua (Spanish for "without water"). [Source: Park brochure] There is a Visitor's Center and a $5 entrance fee.  The top portion of the main view point is accessible, and the hiking pathway leads to a wonderful close-up view, complete with about 240 steps. This is the panoramic from the Visitor's Center.  San Francisco peaks with snow capped tops. There is a "Rim Trail" that has a nice paved pathway and is accessible.  The walk to the farthest lookout point is about 1/4 mile.  This is from the first lookout point:  You can see the hiking path in the center to the left of the large rock formation.  A view of the surrounding ponderosa forest.  Scattered dead trees add to the view.  Arizona wild flowers abound.  Seating benches are p...