Swansee Ghost Town

 Swansea Historic Ghost Town is a well-preserved site in the Arizona desert near Parker, best known for its extensive copper mining ruins. The town includes notable remnants such as the 1917 miner barracks and a 1909 smelter. Founded in 1909, Swansea was abandoned by 1937 after the Great Depression forced the mines to close permanently.

At its peak around 1909–1910, Swansea had a population of about 500 residents. The operation included five mine shafts, a furnace capable of processing 350 tons of ore, and a 3.5-mile water pipeline from the Bill Williams River that delivered up to 400,000 gallons of water each day.

The barracks have been re-roofed and plastered to protect them

Sturdy metalwork now covers the opening, 

preventing an accidental fall into the mine shaft below.

The shaft depends a thousand feet

Foundations of the buildings for ore processing 

Hot gases and dust from the smelter were funneled through this dust chamber, allowing valuable fine dust containing metals to settle before the gases escaped through the stack. This salvaged dust was then processed further in a reverberatory furnace.

Lunch Time

Found a double arch

Desert Bar

 Tucked away in the Arizona desert like a mirage with a liquor license, The Desert Bar—also known as the Nellie E. Saloon—is a true off-the-grid watering hole near Parker that operates only during the cooler months. Across from the saloon, a band plays on a fairly large stage, complete with a nice-sized dance floor that invites visitors to linger and enjoy the music. The current incarnation of the bar far exceeds the size of the original three-sided structure used when it first opened in 1983, reflecting its growing popularity and enduring charm.

The road to the Desert Bar

You are welcomed by these sculptures 

Open Saturday and Sunday from noon to 6

I like to get there by 11:30 to avoid a long long 

line waiting to order food.

Another great day on the road

Desert Clean Up

When four-wheelers come across trash in the desert, they report its location to the city. Volunteers then go out and clean it up. Unfortunately, these trash piles are often created by inconsiderate RVers. Amy and I joined one of these cleanup efforts last week. 

Meeting with all the volunteers before we head out

Piles of garbage everywhere]

And a burned out trailer 

Ripping it apart 

A clean sweep

Back to dismantling the trailer

Every thing except the frame is gone. 

They will bing in heavy equipment to haul out the frame

A productive mornings work. 

Hi Jolly Parade Camelpalooza

 The annual Hi Jolly Parade celebrates Quartzsite’s unique connection to the U.S. Army Camel Corps and its legendary leader, Hadji Ali—better known as “Hi Jolly.” This camel-themed event brings history to life with live camels, creatively decorated floats, and enthusiastic community participation, honoring one of the most unusual chapters in the American Southwest.

Just got to have an alien

Side by sides are a major form of transport here

both on and off road

Hi Jolly was a Syrian camel driver brought with the first camels, he taught Americans their care and became a local legend, eventually settling near Quartzsite. 

The U.S. Army Camel Corps was a mid-1850s 

experiment to use camels in the arid Southwest

The Civil War halted the project,

 leading to camels being freed; some became feral.

What these guys represent is a mystery to me

Nice tailgate

North to Quartzsite

We’re taking our time wandering north to meet up with the WINs for their annual gathering starting January 12th.

We were out geocaching and discovered Martinez Lake Golf Course. 

Every thing you need to play

Amy taking a swing

Camped in the beautiful Kofa Wilderness on Palm Canyon road

Amy spent time walking the Spiral Labyrinth, 

a 0.6-mile winding route designed for quiet reflection.

You can leave a trinket at the center

Palm Canyon

The only major native stand of California fan palms in Arizona grows in Palm Canyon. About a hundred trees rise from a narrow, southeast-facing side ravine farther up the canyon. They aren’t immediately obvious, because they cling to a steep, vertical-walled slot that stays in shadow for most of the day, tucked away like a hidden oasis.

Amy hiking the best section of a rough trail

There they are.

Some ground cover ......

with small daisy flowers 

Heading back to the car

Amy builds the best fires. Another great day on the road