Lightfocus: Light Stories: Marvels To See
The first year we traveled, following the sun, we landed in Casa Grande, Arizona. The winter temperature was perfect. As newbie Weather Wimps, the experience was a revelation.
Even though we were traveling full time, we were also working full time. Day trips to see the local sights were few and thus, special treats.
One of those days to savor was a visit to Coolidge, Arizona, home to the Casa Grande National Monument.
We joined a small group touring the site; it was fascinating to see and touch the structures, hear about the techniques used to build, learn about the lives of these people who lived here so long ago...
The Casa Grande Ruins National Monument preserves the remains of a farming village and the Great House (Casa Grande) of the ancient people now known as the Hohokam.
The
Stragegically placed holes in each wall allow observations of the position of the sun and moon: Summer solstice is marked when the sun is in position to shine directly into a small hole in the western wall. Additional holes mark other significant seasonal dates.
Casa Grande (Great House) under it's protective shelter.
Outlying buildings discovered after excavation of the area.
The buildings are constructed of the subsoil in the area called "caliche" (cuh-LEE-chee), a composite of clay, sand, and calcium carbonate, similar to concrete.
The foundation of the Great House is 4 feet thick at the base and the building is 4 stories high.
Will demonstrates just how small the doors were.
Will and Mari Bontrager, official Weather Wimps, have been traveling in their RV searching for clear, blue and 72 since 2002. They continue work full-time at their programming and web development business and savor every day they "play hooky" to soak in the local sites.