Phoenix

Another hot day - 41 C.Had breakfast in a Deli this morning.  Very interesting, as it had the history of the family on the wall.  Evidently they came down to Phoenix from New Hampshire, due to health reasons in the 60s. The son now runs the place.

Phoenix City Hall

Phoenix Convention Centre

We had decided that we would go to Canyon Lake, on the Apache Trail, so that Y could swim in a mountain lake. It took us about an hour or so to get there on a very winding road.  But Y says it was worth it in the end and the scenery was magnificent. It is surrounded by the Superstition Mountain Range and it is one of four reservoirs that were formed by the damming of the Salt River in Arizona.

Part of Canyon Lake

Y Testing Water

Y in water

View of Canyon Lake from Scenic Stop

The lake was formed by the Mormon Flat Dam, which was completed in 1925 after two years of construction. With a surface area of 950 acres, it is the third and smallest of four lakes created along the Salt River. Two others, Apache Lake and Roosevelt Lake are upstream. The fourth, Saguaro Lake, is downstream.  It is within the Superstition Wilderness of Tonto National Forest.  (This part was copied from Wikipedia, as I couldn't find anyone who could give me the history of the lake or how it was formed).

We had stopped for lunch at a Lakeside restaurant, which was excellent.  Unfortunately, we missed the boat trip which was at noon, and they cancelled the 2.00 pm one.

On the way back, we stopped off at an old goldmining town called Goldfield Ghost Town which was originally founded in 1893.  They have left all the buildings but have done them up so that they are safe.  They also have a station there, with an old-fashioned train which takes you on a 20 min trip around the town.  Can't remember half of what he said, but it all sounded very interesting.  After gulping down a beer and bottles of water, we made our way back to Phoenix.

Mercantile Store which now serves Candy and Sodas

The Goldfield Railway Station

Memorial to an unknown prospector

Train Driver, Engineer and Tour Guide

Part of the Ghost Town with Superstition Mountain in the background

The Train

Came back to hotel to cool off.  Had a shower and then went for dinner at a really nice restaurant called Kincaid.  Had a slow walk back to the hotel then to bed.


Off to Las Vegas tomorrow.