Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Traveling Tuesdays: Superstition Mountain

Old scene of Superstition Mountain on Apache Trail, Arizona 




Once in awhile we have one of those impromptu two-day trips that are even more exciting because they’re unplanned. I’m the kind of person that likes to think ahead and make sure everything is good to go, but now and then it’s fun to just do it and see where the road takes you.

In this case, the road took us to the Reno-Tahoe International Airport in Reno, Nevada. Southwest Airlines had a special round-trip price to Phoenix, Arizona. Honestly, it was too good to pass up! After we landed, we got a colorful rental car, checked into our room, and then headed out to Apache Junction, destination Superstition Mountain.

Superstition Mountain as seen from the highway.      



Desert complete with cactus and critters spread out around us. The tall Saguaro reached towards the sky. We pulled off at several turnouts just to admire the wild beauty of the desert. 

Superstition Mountain is the highest mountain in this range of volcanic behemoths. The Lost Dutchman Mine adds the lure of gold. Jacob Waltz, better known as the Dutchman, died in 1891 without telling anyone about the mine’s location. You can even find the song Walter Brennan sang about it on YouTube.

I love to go to museums and was delighted to find out the Superstition Mountain Museum on Hwy 88 was open for curious visitors like me. The displays of artifacts from days gone by were interesting. They also had an assortment of snacks, drinks, postcards, and jewelry. In addition, the museum has a variety of classes and other events during the year. 



We visited Goldfield Ghost Town and took a ride on the only narrow gauge train in the state. Looking through the stores and museums was fun and educational. The entire journey is great for anyone with a sense of adventure and a glimmer of curiosity about the people who ventured to untamed territory in the desert heat for a chance of finding gold!

What kind of spur-of-the-moment trips do you find fascinating?:
 

19 comments:

  1. I have ALWAYS wanted to visit a ghost town! I am super jealous.

    ReplyDelete
  2. OOH, a ghost town, I didn't even know they really existed. I love the look of Superstition Mountain, so pretty and of course mysterious!

    ReplyDelete
  3. That's so cool! I hear about ghost towns, but I've never been to one. That's awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  4. That would be so much fun to see with the kids! I think they're really enjoy exploring a ghost town.

    ReplyDelete
  5. This looks like a fun trip. I watched a TV show featuring the Superstition Mountain and Goldfield Ghost Town. It would be neat to see them one day. Catherine S

    ReplyDelete
  6. Sounds like a fun time. I love impromptu trips like that.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Both the ghost town and the museum sound like great stops. Exploring some of those old buildings would be amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love small road trips, especially ones that involve nature. Having lived in Southern Nevada my entire life I really need to make it a point to get up North sometime soon.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Arizona is on the list of places for our family to visit. What a really neat mountain you explored

    ReplyDelete
  10. I want to visit a ghost town. I think it would be so fun to get a first hand glimpse of how they lived way back when!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh this is so cool! I would totally take this tour

    ReplyDelete
  12. I need one of those quick two-day trips.They are so refreshing and make me feel like I'm young again! This trip sounds so fun!

    ReplyDelete
  13. That ghost town sounds like so much fun. We could definitely use a quick getaway like that.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I've always wanted to travel out west. I haven't really gone much of anywhere but a road trip is in order!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Oh how fun. I've always wanted to visit a place like this. I don't travel often though, this could be an exception! - Jeanine

    ReplyDelete
  16. I would have been so excited to be in that Goldfield Ghost Town!! So exciting!

    ReplyDelete
  17. What a fun spur of the moment trip! Ours tend to be around NC or SC b/c we never get great flight deals.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I'd go for the name alone: Superstition Mountain! Sounds like the title of a Disney movie. What a fun jaunt and exploration. I love poking around ghost towns too!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Ok, this is awesome! I'd love to visit a Ghost Town!
    ~Amanda

    ReplyDelete