Tuzigoot [ruins between Cottonwood and Clarkdale Arizona]

Examiner.com ^ | July 9, 2010 | Deborah J. Nelson

[Jeff Chandler]

What was their other choice?

That must have been before they opened a Home Depot in Cottonwood.

[TigersEye]

If they find a multi-jet shower head in the ruins we may have to reassess.

[gulfcoast6]

Looks like I need to go out there and see this area, sure nothing like this in MS., lots of civil war parks but nothing like this.

[bert]

Been there, done that...... hope to go again ASAP

.....Know one knows what happened to the Sinagua’s, as they just mysteriously disappeared around 1400......

Actually it is well known that they are alive and well on Hopi mesa and various pueblos in New Mexico

FRiends....
Buy and read the Tony Hillerman books and then use them as tour guides with your Indian Country map, the same map used to solve crimes by Lt Joe Leaphorn, and hit the trail to fantastic Arizona.

[wildbill]

Does anyone know where archeologists come up with these names?

I mean they didn’t find a sign written in Sinagua, saying, “Welcome to Tuzigoot—the dried root and berry capital of the world”

[BelleAl]

We went on a tour of the canyon in early June. Russian olives in full bloom, cottonwoods snowing down on our open air truck, clear skies, and perfect temps.....magical!

[BelleAl]

Sinagua was a name given by the first Spanish explorers.

Sin = without
Agua = water

Once you explore the area, you wonder how these ancient people ever survived the harsh environment. Mind-blowing!

[tarawa]

Tony Hillerman is an amazing writer, especially in his feel for the reality of the reservations. I remember going to this ruin a few times, as well as Montezuma’s Castle, Montezuma’s Well, and several others in the AZ-NM area whose names I cannot remember.

[riri]

Have you ever been to Canyon de Chelley? Probably the most beautiful canyon in Arizona, if not the entire United States.

Agreed. Arizona has untold beauty. And the weather is fabulous. Give me 115 and dry over 90 with humidity any day of the week. Nothing like a hot dry breeze after a dip in the pool. But northern Arizona does not get that hot for all Freepers considering a trip there.

[wildbill]

I can dig the sinagua. But how about Tuzigoot?

[colorado tanker]

Chaco Canyon is another interesting non-cliff dwelling site that is a little off the beaten path.

[La Enchiladita]

LOL!!

[La Enchiladita]

Ahhhhhh.....Chaco, how I love ya!!

One interesting thing we learned there was about the sight lines to other pueblos, all so perfectly laid out.

[colorado tanker]

A visit to Chaco is truly amazing. Why they built the city where they did has always left me wondering. Farming there is marginal in a good year. The only explanation I've heard of is the Anasazi considered it a sacred space and had several buildings aligned with astronomical events.

It's fascinating also because it seems to have been at the heart of an extensive road network with sophisticated trade routes.

Adding to the mystery is that (at least when we visited) there are no motels outside the park, no tourist traps at all.

[La Enchiladita]

It's fascinating also because it seems to have been at the heart of an extensive road network with sophisticated trade routes.

Yes, this is what I mean by the sight lines that were pointed out to us.

This was way back in the early '90s, I think. It was a rough road driving in there and the only person we saw was a Navajo woman herding her sheep. She was a little consternated by our caravan and needed to be reassured.

An excellent park ranger took us walking out to some caves to see rock art. I loved the feeling of being there; something special in the air.

[SunkenCiv]

Wow, it’s really well preserved. ;’)

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks FN!

[SunkenCiv]

Seems like Tuzigoot thing to do.

[SunkenCiv]

;’)

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks.