Arizona, 2/29/12, Taliesin West & Montezuma Castle Monument

On the Road Again Wednesday, Feb. 29


To Scottsdale, AZ. to tour Frank Lloyd Wright's home, Taliesin West. Taliesin is Welsh for shining brow. Wright believed a home should be on the brow of the hill.


He used triangles a lot in his designs. He built his home and school on 640 acres.


Lots of sculptures.














Male students live in tents in the desert the first months of the education.


Students studio.


Dining room for special events. We were not allowed to take photos of the living space of the home.


Interesting wall in the Music Pavilion.


Stone Room has excellent acoustics.


Can you see the hammer in this wall?


Now can you see it? The Tour Guide was so informative. We have toured three homes designed and built by Wright. Each guide has been so informative. Each time we learn more about Wright and his beliefs.


Next stop Montezuma Castle National Monument to see the cliff dwellings of the Sinagua Indians.


They lived here in 1200's to 1450. The "Castle" was 5 levels and 20 rooms.


The foundation is in a vertical cliff 46 ft. above the slope. It was accessible only by ladder.


Beautiful white Arizona sycamore were used in the building of the Castle.


This dwelling had 45 rooms, living space for 100 people. There had been a fire so this dwelling is not as preserved as the Castle.


Amazing how the Indians could build in the hills.


The archeologists named the second cliff dwelling "A."


Model of the Castle cliff dwelling.


A woven yucca sandal.


Yucca fiber.

We are camping at Sunrise campground near Cornville in the hills or mountains near Sedona. Very peaceful brook behind our site.

Location:Scottsdale and Cornville, AZ.

Arizona, 2/28/12, Casa Grande Ruins and St. Anthony Greek Orthodox Monastery

On the Road Again Tuesday Feb. 28


Looks what's in the dumpster!!! Tumbleweeds.


Casa Grande Ruins National Monument. This is the Great House built by the Hohokam Indians thought to be finished about 1350. Walls were 4 ft. thick at the base. This has weathered desert heat and summer rain storms. There is a roof over it to conserve it.


The circle opening on the top left would have the sun through the building on summer solstice. The circle on the right was the Lunar Standstill. Every 18.6 years the moonlight would shine through that opening for 2 weeks. Fall and spring equinox the light would come through the other side of the building. Those hole could not be seen.





Logs, saguaro ribs, reeds and caliche mud was used to build the structures. Caliche is concrete like mix of sand, clay and calcium carbonate....that's what the soil was.


One floor was partially below ground.


Saguaro fruit


They harvested Mesquite pods.


Cholla buds. There were 200 plants in the desert that they ate.


A family's dwelling.


They had a ball court and games in the 1100's and 1200's.


Next we visited St. Anthony's Greek Orthodox Monastery near Florence, AZ.


St. Anthony Church where daily services are held in Byzantine style.


Very impressive chandelier. There are only 2 electric lights in the chapel.


Virgin of Arizona


Prayer request cards on the shelf.


The Main Courtyard.


St. Nicholas Chapel














Chapel of Gt. George


The architecture is Romanian but all furnishings are from Greece as is all furnishings in the chapels.








Traditional Orthodox cross. Top bar is sign that was placed on the cross, INRI. Second bar is for the hands. The bottom bar for the footrest. The bar is slanted. The thief on the right went to Heaven. The thief on the left went to Hell.


St. Demetrios'' Chapel with the golden dome.





It is a very serene setting.








The outdoor Chapel of St. Seraphim. Truly a beautiful and calming place to visit.

We are staying at Lost Dutchman State Park near Apache Junction, AZ. The campgrounds and RV parks around here are full. Here we are dry camping but at least we have a park to stay in. Talked at three other couples who are dry camping. Great to hear of the adventures of others.


The couple next to us said they hiked up to this mountain top. WOW, really!!! I said.

Location:Collidge and Florence, AZ.