My Holiday in Arizona - Montezuma Castle

After visiting Montezuma Well, we made our way to Montezuma Castle.  

In the information centre they had things we could touch and feel which was fun.

The afternoon was spectacular!

This doesn't look much like a castle to me though...

I was expecting the kind of castles I had seen in England

This was something VERY different, but oh so interesting.

To think many years ago people lived in these cliffs.

Why did they live in the cliff face I wonder?

It may have been due to flooding, but also provided a place of safety and a good defence.  Of course the view would have been pretty awesome as well!  Plus because of the way they face the cliffs would have been shady in the summer and sunny in the winter.

Information boards gave interesting information on how the people may have lived.

Just look at that!

I didn't realise it would be so high up!

All along the cliffs were evidence of holes which would once have been windows or doors.

The colours were pretty amazing as well...

I try to get a closer look

I try to imagine what it must have been like to live there.

This five story, twenty room dwelling was called a pueblo and was the home to prehistoric Sinagua people.  

It was abandoned sometime after AD 1400

I point out various 'rooms' etc...

You can see this information board tells about the different levels..

A closer look.

It is 100 feet above the valley.

Pretty amazing huh?

What's this?

Looks intriguing...

Bees!

We zoom in for a closer look.

The 'castle' is badly deteriorated but is protected and preserved as a National Monument.

Oh dear...this doesn't look good...

I marvel at how smooth this grinding stone has been worn,

and imagine what it must have been like to grind your own grain.

More information boards...

The creek was their lifeline,  bringing and taking lives...they relied on it for water and food.

It looks pretty dry today!

A few more views...

A model of what it may have been like inside

One last glimpse before we make our way back to the information centre

All along the way I filled out my 'Official Junior Ranger Activity Guide' book.

Once inside I showed it to the young man who checked I had completed it correctly.

He stamps the back

The senior ranger comes out to swear the oath with me

"As a Junior Ranger, I will

Leave all plants, animals, and other objects as I found them for others to enjoy,

Put litter in a trash can or recycle bin,

Learn more about national parks all over the United States, and

Share what I have learned with my family and friends."

So here I am a sworn in Junior Ranger and I hope you have enjoyed what I have shared with you about my afternoon at Montezuma Castle.