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A PALO VERDE VALLEY SUNSET
Is it typical? No, but sunsets such as this aren't that uncommon either. The atmosphere in the valley is so clear that
the summit of Mt. San Jacinto west of Palm Springs, about 126 miles away, is frequently visible peeking over the horizon.
THE BLYTHE MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSE
We have a truly magnificient eighteen hole municipal golf course. It was built on the mesa, northwest of the city, about
thirtyfive years ago. There are stunning and varied views of the valley below. Green and cart fees are less than half of
prices in the neighboring Coachella Valley.
If golf's your game, this beautiful and challenging course is for you.
ANOTHER ANCIENT NATIVE AMERICAN INTAGLIO
This one depicts a person or deity, and again the perimeter fence is six feet high. The age and purpose of these giant
figures are said to be unknown, even to the local tribes. Several of the intaglios are accessable by standard passenger cars,
and their location is plainly marked about fifteen miles north of Blythe on U.S. Highway 95.
ANCIENT NATIVE AMERICAN PETROGLYPHS
These petroglyphs are at Mule Canyon, a desert location close to Blythe. I'm told there are locations near us with over
a thousand petroglyphs. A four wheel drive vehicle, good hiking boots, and a bit of stamina are required to see most of them.
The Blythe Area Chamber of Commerce, Palo Verde Valley District Library, or the Palo Verde Historical Museum in the Port
Cultural Center can help you find Native American sites in the Blythe area. They are protected, and the local tribes say
they have no traditions explaining them.
TAMARISK SHOE TREE
One of the most unusual objects of interest in the Blythe area is the unique Tamarisk Tree shown here. No one knows why
people started hanging their shoes from this one tree, but the collection has been there for decades and continues to grow
and be renewed. Located in the Rice Valley adjacent to Highway 62, its a short drive northwest of Blythe. Go north on US
Hwy 95 and turn west on Hwy 62 at Vidal Junction. Oh, one more thing. Take an old pair of shoes with you.
BEAUTIFUL DESERT WILD FLOWERS
Many varieties of desert flowers are common throughout the Blythe area. After a good rain, which is very rare, flowers
such as these grow in such profusion that they appear to change the color of the desert floor.
PETRIFIED FOOTPRINT?
Our desert has many mysteries and controversies. This is one of them. Some people see a petrified footprint in the image
above. Others see only an erosion feature. What do you see? The toes are on the left, the heel on the right. The questionable
footprint is just above the black line which is a residual of casts made many years ago. The object is at an unmarked site
about an hour's four wheel drive ride southeast of Blythe. Please click on the graphic to magnify it. My thanks to Dave Mort
for the picture. I tried to take a picture, but couldn't quite capture it.
BLYTHE'S TRACKLESS TROLLEY
Here's public transportation, parked in front of the new city hall, in Blythe. The "Trolley" services the downtown
area and Palo Verde College on the nearby mesa with regular schedules and routes. All vehicles are air conditioned, and handicap
accessible. The local fare? One dollar, or fifty cents for seniors and the physically challanged!
EHRENBERG CEMETARY
If there's an authentic "Boot Hill", this is it! About five miles east of Blythe, on the Arizona side of the
Colorado River, lies the Ehrenberg Cemetary. Here are no lush lawns or shade trees, just the hot, stark, bare, rocky desert
soil. The last interment I know of here was in the 1970s. Most of the crude markers are much older. Many are worn smooth
and unreadable. Some of those resting here were my friends.
THE GREAT SEAL OF THE COLORADO RIVER INDIAN TRIBES
It's all on CRIT's seal. There's the desert sun, Colorado River, agriculture, mountains, cotton, wheat, and the symbolic
feathers, representing the four tribes that comprise CRIT, all artfully arranged.
CLICK HERE TO VISIT MY PHOTO ANNEX
On Floie's Page 4 you'll find information about one of my favorite subjects, my family. Please have a look at the links below,
and then click on Floie's Page 4. The site navigator's on the upper left of this screen.
LINK TO : The Palo Verde Valley Transit Agency which furnishes public transportation throughout Blythe and surrounding communities.
LINK TO: Quartzsite Arizona, home of the world's largest flea market, is twentytwo miles east of Blythe.
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