20OCT07 - Wickenburg, AZ

After our lengthy stay in Las Vegas it was time to start heading south and east on our way back eventually to Houma. We decided to continue on old US 93 toward Phoenix, Arizona. Taking this road out of Las Vegas allows you to cross over Hoover Dam. This is a very scenic route that literally allows you to drive over the top of the dam. We did not stop for the tour, but Dan did this many years ago and says it is worth it if they let you into the power generating chamber. If you are thinking of doing this drive, you may want to do it soon. They are building a new road that will bypass the dam and cross the river and canyon via bridge. We don’t know, but we bet that with terrorist concerns, the gov’t might ban all vehicles from the dam.

The rest of the drive was along the high desert country of Arizona on US 93, through Kingman, to our destination in Wickenburg, AZ. The RV park we stayed in has facilities for horses and was appropriately named Horspatality RV. Wickenburg was founded by Henry Wickenburg after he discovered gold at what is now known as the Vulture Mine. As with most towns that were founded after valuable minerals were found, Wickenburg fell on hard times when the ore ran out. But thanks to agriculture, the railroad, dude ranches, and other factors, the town survives with many of its original buildings still standing. In fact Wickenburg was once called the dude ranch capitol of the world, and there are quite a few in business today.

So after setting up camp and taking care of Gumbo, we headed into town for our usual walk about. And as usual we found that as with almost every small town in America, Wickenburg has a few claims to fame. Turns out one Everett Bowman called Wickenburg home. Mr Bowman was the all around Cowboy Champion from 1935-37; and was first president of the Cowboy Turtle Association which eventually became the Professional Rodeo Cowboy’s Association. Unbelievably Wickenburg was also home to Victor Cedarstaff inventor of the “Piggin Necklet”! What is a piggin necklet you ask? Well today it is know as the Bola Tie. To top off our walk we discovered the Jail Tree in the middle of town. Turns out Wickenburg didn’t have money for a jail for many years, so they just chained the dastardly felons to a tree in the town center. Sign by the tree claims there were no escapes. Who knew?