PATHFINDERS~Phoenix-AZ

Quartzsite-AZ from Tucson-AZ; 3 hr 34 min (241.0 mi) via I-10 W

January 10th: We left Tucson-AZ and headed for Quartzsite-AZ again - surprisingly, the temperature is a little warmer there. Our aging bodies need the warmth.

Last night, we had discussed making some changes to improve our Life Plan … of course we understand that Elohim is ultimately in control of our destiny, and laughs at any Plan we think to implement on our own … but we also understand that sometimes redirection is necessary. So we are making plans, hoping and praying our plans match up with His plans ;-)

Trisha Yearwood & Garth Brooks - 'Where Your Road Leads' song lyrics:

 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Omlzz_k9vSU)

 

We had a long drive ahead of us, but we set out with a peaceful outlook, good humor, and a unified agreement: a promising good day aura was definitely embracing us ;-)

The freeway structures, and the sound reflecting freeway walls, are all beautifully decorated with inner city mosaic artwork that is really impressive; and artfully designed gravel work that is visually Toltec inspired. All the way from Tucson through Phoenix. Freeway travel is necessary to get through the desert cities - but it is not a visually boring route, like freeway traffic is in WA and OR states.

Leaving Tucson's chill …

Picacho Peak is situated between Tucson and Phoenix.

My curiosity was piqued - everything in at least 3 Arizona locations revolves around this Picacho {thing}: what is all the hoopla about … I determined to research it when we set up, in Quartzsite-AZ.

Ancient Picacho Peak linked to an American Civil War.

The Battle of Picacho Peak: (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Picacho_Pass)

4,959-foot high Picacho Peak is not considered a volcano, but Picacho Peak is a mountain formed of ancient volcanic activity, composed of rhyolite (mostly quartz and feldspar), basaltic, and andesite that solidified at the surface. Volcanic rock is the cornerstone of the peak, but it is not, as once thought, the neck of an ancient volcano. Over time, the mountain had eroded to what it is today.

Rhyolite rock: (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhyolite#:~:text=Rhyolite%20(%2F%CB%88ra%C9%AA.,an%20otherwise%20fine%2Dgrained%20groundmass.)

Feldspar rock: (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feldspar#:~:text=Feldspar%20is%20a%20common%20raw,glass%20containers%20and%20glass%20fibre.)

Andesite rock: (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andesite)

Volcanic rock - across from Picacho Peak; pushed upward, out of the ground.

Another Superstition Mountain link …

Toltec:

 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toltec#:~:text=The%20Toltec%20culture%20(%2F%CB%88t,from%20950%20to%201150%20CE. & https://www.legendsofamerica.com/az-sacrificetoltec/)

I didn't get to experience the Superstition Mountains - freeway infrastructure cut off the scenery - Holland has seen it, and visited them too … but, my visit will have to wait until a later date.

I have always been attracted to the Mayan and Aztec histories - Holland didn't know anything about either, so I gave him a brief education ;-)

The men were handsome, and the women were beautiful. At it's height, the Aztec Empire stretched & reached from central Mexico into the American heartland. The collapse of the Toltec Empire is enigmatic. According to legends, the city of Tollan was abandoned because of a civil war; however, other possibilities include agricultural and commercial problems, and overcrowding due to continued immigration. In any case, by 1100 CE the Toltec Empire disintegrated.

Dust in the air of Phoenix.

Holland will appreciate my silence as we pass through Phoenix-AZ

2024 will include an exciting move … WE'RE JAZZED!

Phoenix is a HUGE city; 50 miles across, and mostly freeway.

We passed thru about 10 AM - rush hour traffic wasn't too bad. Thank God.

Phoenix is  basically freeway, freeway overpasses, and skyscrapers.

Phoenix has expanded … and new construction is going up everywhere; Holland got excited about the high-rises. He has done that kind of work.

A crazy octopus-type freeway maze of sprawling overpasses.

This tunnel is a new thing along this route Holland used to travel between his home in Phoenix & jobs in California.

Papago Freeway Tunnel:

 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papago_Freeway_Tunnel)

In the years Holland has been up north, in WA State, Phoenix went through a growth surge, business boomed, and Phoenix absorbed ten smaller towns in their city sprawl: it takes a while to get through Phoenix … even traveling the expansive freeway.

Rocky mountain feature in Harquahala Valley-AZ

Coming into Quartzsite-AZ

Stranded high & dry …