Living the Dream...: Monday, December 18, 2017 (Lost Dutchman State Park, Apache Junction, AZ)

Monday morning was our typical start to the day...we didn't get moving very quickly. We finally got our butts in gear, getting ourselves cleaned up, dishes done...then Steve worked on picture editing. Once he was done that, I managed to get the blog update done.

At about 11:30 we walked up to Ray's place and we headed over to Goldfield Ghost Town. Steve and I had arranged to meet Dale and Chloe at the saloon for a beer at 1:00. Originally we hadn't planned on lunch out (we are going out for dinner, after all!) but after deciding to go a little early to look around the ghost town (Ray had not had a chance to see it), we thought we might as well have a bite to eat as well.

Situated atop a small hill between the Superstition Mountains and the Goldfield Mountains, the settlement of Goldfield got its start in 1892 when very rich, high grade gold ore was found in the area. A town soon sprang up and on October 7, 1893 it received its first official post office.

Miner’s Grill and; Ice Cream Parlour and Siphon Draw Apothecary...

Mammoth Steakhouse and Saloon...where we'll be having lunch.

Lu Lu's Bordello...it wasn't open today.
The tour takes about 10 to 15 minutes. Cameras and filming are encouraged. Feel free to capture as many memories as you like. Each of the girls, or Floozy’s, give a guided tour into the history of the women of the 1800’s (good and bad), their various rolls in the western territory, as well as what it was like for them to travel into the west, leaving the lives they lived in the east behind them.

Mother Lode Mercantile...

Mine Tour area...

Time and Time Antique Photography Studio...

The Blue Nugget...

San Tan Metal Art...a couple of desperado's...

Coffee Cantina and; Bakery...(Ray picked up some delicious goodies for breakfast tomorrow)...

I'm a Go Go girl!

Church on the Mount...This church is complete with an organ from the 1880′s, a pulpit that was once a pipe organ in the famous Hammond Theatre, pews built in 1931 in the style of the late 1800′s, chandeliers made from old wagon wheels, and a rough hewn wooden cross.

Eagle Eye Shooting Gallery...

The Mudslinger Pottery...

Superstition Mountains in the background...

The Last Dig Cemetery...

Goldfield Mine Tours...The Goldfield Mine Tour takes approximately 25 minutes. It is an underground guided tour that takes you back in time to 100 years ago. The guides are well versed on the history of the mine, town, gold mining equipment and procedures.

Time for lunch! Inside the Saloon...

Thanks for taking our photo, Ray...

Chloe, Ray, Steve, me and Dale...

We had a great visit with Chloe and Dale! They live and know the area well and gave us lots of information about ATVing in the area. They even have room for us on their property...I think we'll be planning a stop here again next year!

After hugs and handshakes, we said goodbye to them...hope we'll connect again later on in the season before we head north!

The guys did one final wander around at the back of the property before we headed home.
Superstition Narrow Gauge Railroad...The Superstition Scenic Narrow Gauge Railroad’s 36″ gauge train consists of a Plymouth diesel pulling a passenger car and a caboose. A mile and a half of track circles the town, and the narrated journey lasts 20 minutes. The engineer tells of the history of Goldfield, the Superstition Mountains, and the desert southwest in general.

While saying goodbye to Chloe and Dale, Chloe brought out this tray with her homemade Rum Cake and Creme de Menthe Chocolate Cake. Of course, as soon as we got home, Steve had to try it...fabulous! Thanks so much Chloe and Dale!

Back home we had a few hours to relax before our next outing...to Organ Stop Pizza! We've heard about this place and have always wanted to go and today's the day! Steve captured the sun setting on the Superstition Mountains just before we headed off...

And here we are...Organ Stop Pizza! Steve ordered a pizza for he and Ray to share while I opted for the salad bar. Next was to find a table...the show was on and the place was quite full but we found a spot.

Shortly after sitting down, the show ended and the place cleared out...and a new wave of folks came in, as we waited for the next show to begin.
Steve went upstairs to take pictures...Ray and I...

The side walls and ceiling have instruments that are all controlled by the organist...

Organ pipes above and bellows below...

The organist rises from the pit below...

Then it was Ray's turn to take pictures from the balcony...

Show time!

The sound was incredible...

Dancing puppets...

Wow! What an amazing show! And a delicious dinner...I didn't have any, but Steve and Ray said the pizza was great (it certainly looked good!) They also have a great salad and ice cream bar!

Now it was onto another light display...Christmas Lights on the Mesa Arizona Temple Grounds. Another amazing display! It was really tough for Ray and Steve getting pictures though...there were so many people wandering the grounds also enjoying the displays. But you wouldn't know it by the number they took...here you go...