We cruised through the living decay of Superior and Miami, towns filled with crumbling signs of former vitality, of wanton dereliction, attempted revitalization, and further degradation. Came to some potential clarity about the signs of fading glory we'd come across throughout Arizona: Mining boom and bust.
In our familiar Colorado, many of the old mining towns that went bust have been reborn as ski resorts or summer destinations or good places for a second McMansion for the wealthy. But these rotting towns in Arizona haven't been able to find a way to re-sell themselves. Instead, a natural decay is eating away at them. And, to our eyes, the decay has more appeal than the glitzed-out faux-faced revitalization that's paved over the mountain towns of Colorado.
Northward and homeward. But not too quickly. We stopped every couple hours to let the dogs out for a romp. We took pictures of anything and everything. Saw our last saguaros near Roosevelt. Snow -- which we'd come to escape -- greeted us again on the high road between Payson and Camp Verde.
After a windy, rainy night in a warm motel, we aimed for one last shot at a mountain bike ride. We headed into Sedona, but the famous red rock was shrouded in snow and clouds, with creeks running high and more snow falling. No ride for us. And the kitschy town didn't entice us to stop.
Deep wet snow slowed us on the back road into Flagstaff. Then it was clear roads through Monument Valley and on to Utah. We stopped to see the Goosenecks of the San Juan. We let the dogs run when we stopped to look at an extensive petroglyph panel -- where, mysteriously, there was a carving of Sprocket from who knows how many centuries ago? Amazing.
Ground blizzard and super-slick roads near Montecello. Slow and steady. Made it through Moab and finally home, just in time for bed. Fun trip with some great scenery and some good fun! But we were glad to be home. And so were the dogs.
I got sent this-a-way by Scott....I'm really enjoying the pictures and trip reports.
ReplyDeleteDitto on liking the AZ old mining town decay vs. CO new mining town facades.
Ed