“Nana Nini’s my name,
Spoilin’ kiddos my game.”
Nana and her grand kids visit Goldfield Ghost town in You’re Gold-worthy where they learn about Arizona’s history and mining as well as the Saga of the Superstitions and the Lost Dutchman. This original gold mining town from the 1890’s was a booming town until the vein defaulted and the grade of ore dropped and people left to look for the next bonanza. It still has some original mining equipment and visitors are able to pan for gold, watch a gun fight, view the historic buildings all while eating Prickly Pear fudge.
Goldfield Ghost town is nestled in the Superstition mountains where mysteries and stories of gold, murder, death, extreme weather, mining, fighting, and Native Americans abound. Many stories are not known to be true, including the story of the Lost Dutchman. Jacob Waltz, was a man who claimed to have found a large vein of gold in the Superstition mountain area; but died before he could tell anyone the actual site of the mine. Many people, over the years, have tried to find this gold mine and some have died. The mountains of Arizona have great beauty, but can be dangerous if someone is not prepared to hike them.
Superstition Mountain ,Jacob Waltz, Arizona State Museum, Geronimo ,Apache tribe
Wild horse live by the lower Salt River in the Tonto National Forest near Mesa, Arizona and are featured in the story You’re River-worthy.
Five years ago, these horses were scheduled to be destroyed and there was an outcry causing volunteers to step in and keep this from happening. They held rallies and worked with the State government, so now they are protected pursuant to Arizona Revised Statute 3-1491.
These horses are beloved by many and can be viewed along the Salt River when kayaking or tubing as they are grazing along the banks. Visitors can hike in the recreation sites and view them too. These horses are protected and should be treated with respect. It is recommended keeping 50 feet away from them and not to feed them. Photographers document these beauties and especially love the new foals. Saltriverwildhorsemanagement group,Salt river Wild mustangs facebook page
Nana and her kiddos go on road trips featured in You’re Sparkle-worthy. They visit Oak Creek Canyon with Slide Rock and then the town of Sedona, Arizona. In You’re Gold-worthy the gang camps in Tonto National Forest. In You’re River-worthy they go kayaking on the Salt River.
Each story is in or near the Tonto National Forest, which was established in 1905 and encompasses 2,873,200 acres and is the seventh largest national forest in the US.
Over 400 species call this forest home. The elevations range from 1,300 feet of the Sonoran Desert where the Saguaros are the ‘trees’ to 7,900 feet where Ponderosa pine live on the Mogollan Rim. This large area offers excellent recreational opportunities filled with unique beauty with mountains, lakes, beaches or cool pine forests. Camping, hiking, fishing, boating, hunting or photographing include some of the activities to be enjoyed by visitors.
For More Information : https://www.10adventures.com/hikes/tonto-national-forest/