If
there is one thing I despise, it's the trend of ticky-tacky housing
developments in most of the formerly wild, empty places in Arizona
between cities. This is one of the things going through my mind as
Ernie and I drive up Cave Creek road from Phoenix toward the city of
Cave Creek. I love the empty, pristine deserts that still reign
throughout most of the Basin and Range Province; it is in this
God-forsaken desolation that, perversely, I feel closest to God. How
could I do otherwise in this perfect silence, broken only by the
cries of cactus wrens, quails, and mourning doves? Though I like to
visit the pines from time to time, they can't compete with my Uncle
Saguaro and Aunt Cholla.
Yet,
as we motor north-east from Phoenix, I get a kick out of the older
shops and buildings we can see from the road. Many of them are from
an earlier era, and it's like traveling in a time machine. Like many
people who no longer remember the Bad Stuff, I have fond memories of
the 50s, 60s, and 70s. But in my defense, this is partly because of
the wackiness of those times, and the interesting artifacts they've
left behind.
The
town of Cave Creek is one of those artifacts. It was founded by
people who truly love the desert, and because many of them used to be
real estate moguls, they're extremely canny about preserving what
they love. One of their greatest accomplishments is the Cave Creek Regional Park, a lovely preserve that was destined to be another
ticky-tacky development until the citizens of Cave Creek intervened.
Now it has a nifty visitor's center and several beautiful trails
where you can hike or go horseback riding while enjoying gorgeous
views. We took a trail that looped around Vulture Mountain and back
again, a hike of about an hour-an-a-half. Here is the dust of the
trail on my shoe.
From
there we headed into Cave Creek to visit some of our favorite haunts. First, Buffalo Bill's, a shop built on a hillside. The merchandise (pots and garden items) is displayed on terraces out back, giving the place a magical quality.
Next we ate at El Encanto, which has the best mole sauce in the known galaxy.
And finally, we shopped at The Town Dump, where several arcane and delightful items were purchased.
So my friends, you can keep New York, San Francisco, and Paris. We've got Cave Creek and Vulture Mountain. You just can't top that.
Next we ate at El Encanto, which has the best mole sauce in the known galaxy.
And finally, we shopped at The Town Dump, where several arcane and delightful items were purchased.
So my friends, you can keep New York, San Francisco, and Paris. We've got Cave Creek and Vulture Mountain. You just can't top that.
