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A RIVERSIDE COUNTY PARK ON BLYTHE'S COLORADO RIVER
Riverside County has four parks on the shore of the Colorado River. They are at carefully selected scenic sites in the
Palo Verde Valley. The parks offer drinking water, boat ramps, and camping. All are within a few miles of Blythe.
SAND DUNES AND DESERT WILDFLOWERS
There are many varieties of wild flowers in the desert surrounding Blythe. These have found a home adjacent to the Glamis
Sand Dunes, one of the largest dune areas in the nation. This sand buggy and off road vehicle paradise offers camping, drinking
water, and a store. It's a short distance south of Blythe on State Highway 78.
ANCIENT NATIVE AMERICAN DANCE CIRCLE
These desert formations were constructed by Native Americans. Their purpose and age are not known with any certainty.
The local tribes claim to have no traditions relating to them. They can be found in several locations in the Blythe area.
DESERT GIANTS - THE BLYTHE INTAGLIOS
These huge rock art figures were only discovered after air travel was developed. Their scale is such that it is difficult
to see and comprehend them from the ground. Once again, the local tribes claim to have no explanation for the ancient figures.
The perimeter fence is six feet high. Giant intaglios are found at several locations in the Blythe area.
ANCIENT NATIVE AMERICAN PETROGLYPHS
These petroglyphs are near Corn Springs, a location near Blythe. This type of Native American art is found throughout
this area. The hot dry climate assists in the preservation of several types of ancient Native American art. I've been told
by some of the "old timers" in the area, but have never seen, examples of Native American art that are painted or
stained on desert rocks (petrographs). There is only one known example of this type of art in our area. It's in a very remote
spot, but I've got to see it . . . and soon.
A TYPICAL DAY ON BLYTHE'S COLORADO RIVER
Blythe's annual 360 days of sunshine encourages year round recreational use of the Colorado river. Boating, fishing,
and swimming are everyday activities in our Palo Verde Valley.
A BIRDWATCHER'S PARADISE
Blythe and the Palo Verde Valley are indeed a bird watcher's paradise. Hundreds of species of both migratory and native
birds find a home in our valley. A hummingbird feeder outside my living room window attracts dozens of multicolored thirsty
customers ( it also attracts bees.) A bird seed feeder is likewise steadily visited by many different varieties of our feathered
friends.
SORRY, IT'S NOT ON THE MAP
This beautiful lake is actually Copper Basin Reservoir, a part of the very intricate system that supplies urban Southern
California with water. Copper Basin Reservoir is not on most maps. It's about an hour's drive northeast of Blythe, and is
not open to the public. While connected to the Colorado River, the lake is not actually on it. I took this picture while
participating in an inspection tour during June 2004. A click on the image will magnify it.
THE BRADSHAW TRAIL
During the last quarter of the ninteenth century and the early years of the twentieth, the Palo Verde Valley was accessed
by land from the west or south only through the railroad siding at Glamis about forty miles south or the Bradshaw Trail between
Mecca, California and La Paz, Arizona. The city of La Paz is gone, but most of the trail has been graded and is passable
by four wheel drive vehicles, horses, and mules. It enters the southwest valley, and is plainly marked. The Bradshaw Trail
and the archeological sites it passes through are an authentic part of Blythe's "old west" heritage.
CLICK HERE TO VISIT MY PHOTO ANNEX
There are three more Blythe links below. After checking them out, please go to my next page, by clicking on the site navigator
at the upper left of this screen. Click on more Palo Verde Valley pictures.
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