Natchez Trace Parkway – Pharr Mounds

Pharr Mounds - Zoomed-in view of mound from the overlook

img alt tags Pharr Mounds is the next stop on my Natchez Trace Parkway exploration at milepost 286. Quote from the entrance sign: Pharr Mounds is the largest and most important archaeological site in northern Mississippi. Eight large dome-shaped burial mounds are scattered over an area of 90 acres (100 football fields). These mounds were … Read more

Owl Creek Mounds Archaeological Site

Owl Creek Mounds - View of Mound II from atop Mound I

Took a short detour about 3 miles west of the Natchez Trace Parkway for a stop at the Owl Creek Mounds Archaeological Site in the Tombigbee National Forest. The site is of importance to the Chickasaw Nation and the story of Mississippian period in the Southeastern United States and is recognized on the National Register … Read more

Superstition Mountain – Lost Dutchman Museum

Lost Dutchman Museum - Elvis Memorial Chapel

Last stop on this trip and for 2019 as a whole. I had to stay close to the airport in Phoenix to catch my flight. I tried a few local parks and attractions within the city area but it’s Sunday with perfect weather so everything is overrun and crowded. Struck out a couple times before … Read more

Tuzigoot National Monument

Tuzigoot National Monument - View of the pueblo

Continuing the Arizona cultural tour around the Coconino National Forest area, my next stop is at Tuzigoot National Monument in Clarkdale. It’s a relatively small National Monument geographically but still worth a visit if history and archaeology interest you. For this location escpecially it is crucial to see the visitor center. There are many artifacts … Read more

Kartchner Caverns State Park

Kartchner Caverns State Park - View outside the cavern entrance from afar

Weather once again killed any chance I had for hikes. The drive back from Tombstone to Benson switched between rain and sun depending which cloud was overhead at the time. It’s a flat drive with no danger like going up the mountains so I found it enjoyable to watch the drama unfold across the sky … Read more