Chiricahua National Park Monument and The Thing

On Monday, our TV in the living room stopped working, and we went right out and bought a new one to replace it. We were unable to find a 37" model, which was the original size, but found a 43" one that looked good, and since televisions have larger screens now in relation to the border around the screens, the new TV looks fine in that space. Bob spent half the day on Tuesday, McGuyvering the old wall mount to fit the new TV.  We are happy.

So on Wednesday, our last full day here in Benson, AZ, we drove East to Chiricahua National Park Monument, one of the least-visited park in the National Park Parks system. What a treat! Chiricahua is known for its columns, pinnacles, and balanced rocks. I couldn't get over how beautiful this area is, and I don't think I've ever seen the sky so blue.  

We drove up to Massai Point, walked a short trail and then walked part of the Canyon Trail to an area called the Grotto (about a mile each way.) Here are a few of my favorite photos.

 The view from Massai Point. The Dragoon Mountains are in the far distance off to the left.

I'm old enough to remember the Old Man in the Mountain, in the White Mountains of NH. This is Cochise, chief of the Chiricahua Apaches. The rock formation is made of rock formed by volcanic ash.

Harris Mountain may be seen in this photo.

Bob posed in front of one of the amazing rock formations on the Canyon Trail.

Columns and pinnacles seen from the Canyon Trail

After we finally got our fill of the beauty in this area, we headed back towards Benson. But first, I was able to convince Bob to detour so that we could see The Thing. If you have ever traveled Rte 10 in this area, you have seen the many billboards telling you to stop and see The Thing. It was time. I wanted to see it.

We arrived at the tourist trap (for that is truly what it is) and paid our $1 each to get into the "museum" filled with kitchy items such as old vehicles, sculptures, and antique thingamabobs. Near the end of the tour was The Thing, in a concrete block case covered with a glass top.

I asked a staff member about The Thing. According to the salesperson at the jewelry counter, it is an "authenticated" mummified human body, discovered in the bottom of the Grand Canyon over 50 years ago. It has not been carbon-dated so its actual age is not known. Poor "thing," to have come to such a fate.

If you ever have the opportunity to visit the Chiricahua National Monument, I urge you to do so. It is worth the trip. As for The Thing, I'll leave it up to you whether it is worth a dollar or not.