Bagdad Arizona - "The best copper town anywhere"

After lunch at Skull Valley Café Tuesday, Ron and I went for a ride to Bagdad, not in Iraq.

Along Arizona Highway 96 between Kirkland and Hillside
The drive through Thompson Valley surrounded by the McCloud Mountains took us past massive boulders of well worn granite plutons and a diverse desert landscape.

One story of how Bagdad got its name centers around a father and son team of 1800s miners when the ore was hauled out on mule teams in bags. The son would be mining, filling the bags with ore while the father would be preparing to transport the ore. When the son needed another bag to fill, he would yell, "bag Dad".

The plaque reads, “In honor of the men and women in mining who helped to build our past and are molding our future. Cyprus Bagdad Copper Corporation. WC Rubottom sculptor. Welded copper rod 10.5 feet and 8.5 feet. July 4, 1989.” Bagdad is a company owned town.

Along Arizona Highway 97
We didn’t see much wildlife other than Red tail hawks too far away for my camera.

Lupine
Yet the desert shows a green carpet and blooms of life after a moist winter.

Desert Poppy
We took a short side trip on a gravel road towards Burro Creek Recreation Area, yet the day was waning so we left further explorations for another day.

The road to Burrow Creek
Supposedly, the area was named after a large population of burros discovered by Army officers in 1869. They were probably left behind by prospectors.

Scroll down to Sky Watch Friday for more photos of this desert journey.

Sky Watch Friday - Desert Sky

Ocotillo in bloom

Thompson Valley, Yavapai County, Arizona

To see more great skies from around the world or to share your own, go to Sky Watch Friday by clicking here.

Tactical Retreat - Skull Valley Cafe, Arizona

Mural by Prescott artist J.D. Davis
You almost have to put your nose up to this whimsical painting to find all the little hidden things going on. Little eyes peak out of many dark holes, lizards dance, spiders crawl, quail poop, javelina cringe, a bobcat balances, and there’s even a flying saucer in the upper left hand corner (hard to find and doesn’t show in the pic). Enlarge and look closely for more.

Skull Valley Café
About 30 miles north of Yarnell, the Santa Fe railroad line runs from mining country through Skull Valley on its way to populous transportation centers. This entire area around the Weaver Mountains in Arizona was settled between the mid 1860-70s because of the discovery of gold.

Old café
The original café built during the mid 1900s served local ranchers and railroad crew for many years.

Mural by Prescott artist J.D. Davis
A little over a year ago, new owners reopened and gave the place a facelift. Artist J.D. Davis “antiqued” the building and painted the murals.

Inside Skull Valley Café
The renovation provides a testimonial to the railroad. Sorry that I cut off the words on the wall under the model trains which spells out EATS with model train track.

And DeeDee, our waitress, served good eats. Ron ordered a tuna melt and I had the portabella sandwich on sourdough with a side of sweet potato fries. So good in fact, it was gone before I thought to take a photo. Guess you’ll just have to go there and try it yourself.

I didn't find any information about the artist. Guess I'll have to go back.

After lunch Ron and I took a drive into the high desert which I’ll post soon.

My World Tuesday - The Gypsy life of a seasonal Park Ranger

Oyster Mushroom, choice edible
After the Barter Fair (click here for last week’s MWT) I enjoyed fall mushroom gathering in southwest Oregon. There isn’t a side dish any better than sautéed wild mushrooms. But just like any wild edible, know what you’re eating.

Colleen & Dave’s 1954 Sears kit-cabin
The monthly gathering of the Domino Dames fell on Halloween where we gathered at Colleen’s for a full day of eating, drinking and playing Mexican Train Dominoes.

Arizona desert
As the temperatures began to drop in Oregon I felt the draw of the southern desert and returned to Yarnell to park where I had the previous winter (for that story click here).

Little house/garage
On the property where I park there is a little house, actually a partially converted garage. So Berta and I set up a bunch of tables inside and put out stuff to sell. About once a month, when we felt like it, we’d put up signs and have a garage sale. Both of us are notorious collectors, so once in a while have to high grade to make room.

Set up to sell
This was the first winter I actually got a land-line telephone and went online with dial-up. Believe me, it was a giant step. And as you all know, the internet is addictive, and I didn’t even know what a blog was. Yet I spent a lot of time sitting at my computer and looking out the window at the birds...

Gambel’s Quail
...and other wildlife.

Mule deer
Towards the end of March I hooked up the 5th-wheel and went to sell my jewelry at the Deming, New Mexico Gem and Mineral Show. Sold a little, bought more, and had a great time with rock people.

My booth
As spring arrived I camped in the desert knowing that this winter of fun was almost over and I’d soon...(see next week’s My World for the continuing story).

Sunrise near Freeman Road, southeastern Arizona
For more glimpses of life around the world go to My World Tuesday by clicking here.