Arizona - Montezuma Castle Monument

Packing up from Sedona Pines took far less time than packing up from the Mesa house. 3 separate units meant that, mostly, each families stuff was in one small area. Mike, Aimee and the kids went to Slide Rock (an activity that I attributed to them in the previous post) and then we all met for brunch before driving to Montezuma Castle Monument.

Passing through some impressive scenery.

This was another national park so Avery and Maya each got their activity books to earn another Junior Ranger badge. This also forced us to read a lot of info boards to help them. To quote Mike "I'm learning something too".

Not a large site and paved path all the way. Chris carried River in the "backpack" and Cigi pushed the empty stroller.

The limestone cliffs are pocked with caves

Its not much to look at from outside but inside it is built into caves and its 5 stories have 20 rooms.

The Sinagua—peaceful, pre-Colombian Native Americans—were hunter gatherers and farmers who grew mainly corn, squash and beans. Their exact origin is unclear.

Recovered Sinagua artifacts have shown they were simple people yet gifted craftsmen who used their natural resources to create practical tools and ornamental items. They were also master spinners and weavers who fashioned intricate designs made of cotton they grew themselves.

Many artifacts recovered at Montezuma Castle weren’t native to the area. In fact, the Sinagua were master traders and bartered for items hundreds of miles away. Montezuma Castle was a thriving commercial center and traded a variety of goods and ideas. from history.com

It’s estimated that the Sinagua built Montezuma Castle somewhere between 1100 and 1350 A.D. They erected the structure about one-third the way up a 150-foot limestone cliff high above Beaver Creek.

The dwelling’s walls were made from limestone and mud mortar. Large beams covered by smaller beams were used to frame the roof, which was then covered with thatch and mud. from history.com

There was a Ranger there to answer questions and he told us that there was a video of the inside on Youtube. I looked at it and its black and white and poor quality.

He also said that the caves below the building were used for storage as they are quite cool at the back.

Further along the cliff face was the remains of a more recent, though still ancient, pueblo.

A fellow tourist found a lizard on a tree stump. She called it a Fence Lizard and said that they all have blue on the throat or belly.

Back to the park shop and Cigi got a Junior Ranger hat (they had been looking for a sun hat for her, the whole trip, and managed to find one on the last day)

and Avery and Maya had earned their second badges, and a second stamp in their National Parks passport.

One last selfee after a great Sweeton Family Christmas

 Mike and Aimee dropped me at my hotel in Phoenix and then went to the airport to fly home. Chris and Jason had one more night and flew home the next day. I have a couple of days to myself in Phoenix before flying home.