The Montezuma Well is a special historical site, but, when you discover the irrigation ditch, you begin to realize how special it really is. The ditch is a mile long and 3 foot deep. It was hand dug by pre-historic farmers. The water comes out of the well at a constant temperature of about 75 degrees.
You enter the area by walking down stone steps, turning a sharp left turn, and just a few steps later you see a long run of the ditch, pretty isn't it?
Along the left side as you walk in are these massive stones, rocks, walls of them. The ditch is just to the right of the sidewalk.
More views as it rounds the corner to the beginning of the ditch.
Below, Man tries to wrap his arms around a huge Arizona Sycamore that looks like it sorta fell over, but is standing sideways. I think it is still alive. This is down near the beginning of the ditch.
And, one last photo of the irrigation ditch, amazing, isn't it? Dug by hand, into stone and rock, 1 mile long and 3 feet deep. Such tenacity those ancients had. We stand humbled.
* I highlighted the maiden hair fern that grows here at Reflection's Flora and Fauna, up close and personal it is quite beautiful. I also have a photo of the beautiful Golden Columbine that I found growing along the ditch.
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3 comments:
This is freaky. I JUST read about Montezuma's well and the irrigation ditch in today's Arizona Republic.
And I thought the Montezuma's Well was just a big hold in the ground full of water. I had no idea that the Singua had dug this ditch and that it is still in use today. Wow!
Thanks for capping off my education for the day with the pictures. They are awesome, especially the one of Man hugging the tree.
What would you do without Man to provide scale to your pictures? What would we do? These are fabulous - again.
Lovely photos, and it's amazing how our ancestors took such hard work in their stride and just got on with it! Jo
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