Wednesday we visited Queen Creek Olive Mill but were really not whatwe were expecting. Oh there were lots of tourists, lot of their products were on display for purchase and their restaurant was busy but there wasn't an olive tree or vineyard in sight. Maybe we were thinking it would be more like the wineries we've been to in California where you really feel the experience of being in a vineyard.
We did pick up a few things though like a big bottle of roasted garlic extra virgin olive oil.
Sorry no photos from here.
On our way back we stopped at The Pork Shop which is only a few miles down the road. This turned out to be right up our ally.
From their website;
"The Pork Shop carries a complete line of fresh specialty pork cuts such as baby back ribs, Iowa cut chops, top rib chops, St. Louis cut spare ribs, boneless rolled loin roasts, as well as all the standard cuts such as center cut chops, pan fry chops, pork steaks, country ribs, loin end roasts, pork butts, and many others. We exclusively use select quality corn fed mid-western pork to bring you the freshest, tastiest, and best selection of pork in the valley.".
Had to pick up a few goodies including smoked bacon (delicious), smoked breakfast sausage links, home made smoked hot dogs (wieners), garlic bologna (more like thin sliced sausage) and some country ribs which are going into the slow cooker today...pics of those for sure!!
Cayward Farms, the cotton farm, we won't visit until after the owners return in early March from their place in El Centro, CA. The cotton is already picked so not sure what we'll get to see.
Today we drove about 20 miles East to visit the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument...very intersting, informative and another example of the great history in the Southwest United States.Borrowed the following from their website;"Do you know the difference between a National Monument and a National Park is the way they are created. National Parks require Congressional approval but National Monuments are established by Executive Order of the President. The establishment of Casa Grande Ruins was the first federal prehistoric and cultural reservation by President Benjamin Harrison in 1892.
This is the site that was an Ancient Sonoran Desert People's farming community and "Great House" which are preserved at Casa Grande Ruins. Whether the Casa Grande was a gathering place for the Desert People or simply a waypoint marker in an extensive system of canals and trading partners is but part of the mystique of the Ruins. Trying to find the right mix of old and new for coating the historic walls has been a never ending test. Current efforts use a slurry of caliche soil and a small amount of additive. An estimated six million pounds of caliche were used in the construction of the Casa Grande. Caliche is a naturally occurring soil consisting of clay, sand and calcium carbonate found in the deserts of the southwest.
Who were the ancient Sonoran Desert people? Archeological evidence suggests they may have descended from an earlier hunting and gathering “Archaic” culture that began in this area around 5,500 B.C.E. Over time, as the area grew hotter and drier, wild plants and animals became less abundant. Domesticated corn from Mesoamerica was introduced and appears to have influenced a gradual transition from hunting and gathering to a more settled farming existence. Adapting to the dry conditions of the desert, these early farmers learned to use water from mountain run-offs and rivers to irrigate their fields. By 300 C.E., these desert dwellers had formed a distinct culture, identified in part by their particular form of pottery called “red-on-buff.”Click here to view more of the intersting information on the The Casa Grande Ruins National Monument.Wednesday we are off again this time to Queen Creek Olive Mill one of the "10 delicious destinations in the Valley of the Sun". The Queen of Olive Oil: Locally grown olives pressed into rich extra virgin olive oil is the beauty behind Queen Creek Olive Mill, a family owned company that brings olive oil from their farm to your table. The olive oil may taste Italian, but this place is western to the core – you can even ride your horse in and park at a brand new hitching post with a watering trough while you tour and shop.Also on our short list is a visit to Cayward Farms where cotton is grown. Need a reservation to get into this place.
More updates coming...
We are finally over the virus (flu) that we picked up in Tucson....what a long drawn out experience. Turns out that this virus is not just in Tucson as there are many here in Casa Grande with the same thing.
Yes....we are back in Casa Grande, actually since Jan. 20th, and will be here until the first week in March. Obviously we like everything Casa Grande RV Resort and the area have to offer. Check out the Amenities offered. The photos on that page are recent and the reason we don't have more of our own. Next Update for sure. .
Betty has been doing dailey water aerobics (and Zumba) and a few other things and I'll be playing cribbage in the card room which they do twicw a week. Other than that just enjoying the warm weather.
Next leg in our journey? First part of May we go to Green Bay to visit family, friends and attend my 50th HS Class reunion. then it's traveling the Midwest...more on this as we go.
Friday Feb. 7th Quick Update; Because we like the area so much we've decided to stay here in Casa Grande until March 20th before heading back to Reno.
