Holes & Hohokam

There are signs left by ancient peoples all over this area. In the short time, we have been here, we have visited at least six places where these people have left either pictograph, pottery shards, dwelling walls, or other signs of their lives in the past. 

Today, I went with Rolly Jurgens on a Razor ride to some pictographs and then to some holes in rocks that were said to be made by the Hohokam Indians. (Link takes you to the Wikipedia page for Hohokam Culture.) It is said they inhabited this area about 300 to 1700 AD and left all sorts of signs for us to wonder about.

The holes in the rocks are very interesting. These are said to be carved into the very hard stone by the Hohokam as they ground seeds to make the flour they would bake and then eat. They definitely do not look natural and very much look to be man-made. 

Both Rolly and I had many questions that we could not answer. Why were they located at this spot?  The area where the pottery shards are abundant is much farther upstream. Why would they camp so far away from their seed grinding spot? Did they farm the flats near the rock holes and then use the grinding holes next to the fields and carry the final ground product up to the living site in clay pots?  We talked and talked about all these questions, most of which we may never know the answers to.

The holes in the rock are said to be used to grind seeds.

A pottery shard found on a
"bench" above the stream bed.

Telegraph Canyon Hike

Picket Post Mountain

This week's Wednesday hiking group hike had us heading east to Superior and then into the hills at the base of Picket Post Mountain. Twenty-two hikers gathered at the trailhead and then made their way into Telegraph Canyon for a five-mile hike. This was a very nice, easy hike up several canyons. Our trail followed the creek bed through Arnett Canyon. We left Arnett and followed Telegraph Canyon for a bit. This trail led us to a beautiful open area with canyon walls in front of us. We stopped and ate our lunches there. The scenery was great and so was the company.

Go right at the Teddy Bear/Duck???

Riding the trail.

Lunch stop at the turnaround point.

They called this The Monolith.

Dave Bloom found this arrowhead in our parking lot.

Razor Ride

The other day I got a cool opportunity in that I was invited to go with Rick, one of our QV RV friends, on a Razor ride into the mountains that surround Queen Valley to the north. I know little of this area and even less of Razors, so I jumped at the chance. Wow, these vehicles are FUN! They can go almost anywhere you point them and climb hills I could never hike up. 

Our group consisted of three Razors, four humans, and one dog.  Bob and Star, his dog, led the way followed by Barry and his brand new Razor, with Rick and his newest best friend, Me! At this point, I would love to tell you where we drove, but I have no clue.  All I know is that we drove about 50 miles on 4X4 roads.  Stopped at an old jail made out of rocks that were used to hold prisoners during the stagecoach days, and finally, we climbed up to the top of some mountains. I had a great time and took as many photos as I could.

Selfie of Rick and I in his Razor.

Barry and his brand new machine.

The old stage coach jail house.

Barry, Bob and Star, and Rick.