From Roper Lake to the Gila River and Back

While our Suzuki is undergoing major exploratory surgery (with the transfer case lying on the garage floor and spelunkers crawling around in the wiring behind the dashboard) we took a trip in the rented Impala. Our target was Bonita Creek, but we never got there. Didn't want to take that pretty and low-slung car out on too many gravel roads.

Roper Lake Fishing Dock

We left Roper Lake State Park, shown above, and headed east on US Highway 70, drove several miles beyond the turn we wanted to take, and doubled back. Ah, that must be the road! No, that wasn't it, but it did lead us out into the countryside, and how we love to go wandering and wondering in the countryside! Look! Over there!! What is that? A short walk found out.

This old burnt out adobe seems to have been abandoned some years ago.

Obviously a lot of work went into building this place -- look at that stone fence!

Looking through three doors to the back yard.

Off to one side stood this obelisk grave marker.

"Juanita Molina, born July 12, 1892" (it says in Spanish), "died at the age of 14 years."

Not far beyond we came to the end of the paved road, drove a few yards further and turned down toward the Gila River. And here we found kind of a dam, with a diversion of a large share of the river's water to a major irrigation canal.

This is the control for the diversion

And this is irrigation canal getting the diverted water.

The day was getting along, and we hadn't had lunch yet (it was about 4:00!) so we headed back toward Safford, but quickly turned into the tiny old historic town of Solomon.

"J. Fred Blake, General Merchandise, Standard Oil Products"

While this old building was abandoned, the town had a splendid Latter Day Saints Church, an active Catholic community, and a very fine looking elementary school.

We were still getting hungry, of course, so we took another back road to return to Safford. Remember, we are exploring Arizona's Salsa Trail through the towns of Pima, Thatcher, Safford, Solomon, Willcox, Duncan, Clifton and York. There are 15 Mexican restaurants officially part of the Salsa Trail. This evening we ate at Safford's Casa Manana Restaurant. (Don't forget to put the little thingy over the first N!)

No, those aren't the long awaited pictures of Suzy. Be patient! Oh, by the way, these pictures of our dinners are for Mike McFall, who absolutely dislikes FOOD pictures. The second one is Suzy's plate --she ate about 1/5 of the food, half of a grilled chile relleno, the tomatoes and some of the beans!

But for now, please come back as we continue along the Salsa Trail and ... Our Life on Wheels!