Anasazi Valley

The weather is just now cooling down to the point where we feel like hiking the trails near our home here in Southern Utah.
About 5 minutes from our house is Anasazi Valley, the site of hundreds of ancient petroglyphs.

Located along the Santa Clara River, we took old Highway 91 to 400 West at the south end of Ivins.
At the beginning of the trail head there is a sign that says this will be the future site of the Anasazi Valley Indian Cultural Center. I'm not sure how long the sign has been here, but there is no current activity we could see.

The trail leading up to the petroglyphs is easy to walk. The total time on the hike, up and back was about an hour and a half. We didn't see every petroglyph along the mountain ridge, but we still spotted at least a hundred.

A few years ago archaeologists came and excavated an ancient farmstead.

Mr. Cactus and I enjoyed the cool morning breezes along the cliffs overlooking the Santa Clara River.

There is a lot of speculation on the meaning behind the signs, but no one really knows for sure.

Never the less, I believe this one means: "Must make Quilts".

And wash your feet before you come into the teepee that was just cleaned.

Some seemed to be like maps that followed the curves of the river below.

*My friend Lori Holt left a comment that she feels this is sacred ground and the map would show the way to an ancient shop hop. (Lori must have some Anasazi blood in her to see so clearly).

I called this one Moe, Larry and Curly.

A boy with his dog and a yo yo.

This can be more fun than trying to find shapes in cloud formations.

Mr. Cactus thinks the Anasazi must have believed in the devil.

He also felt the Anasazi must have been a wonderful people....a truly inspired and gifted people.

Mr. Cactus hollered for me to come over and look. He had found his kindred spirit.

Who would have guessed that the Ancient Anasazi played golf? Mr. Cactus loves the Anasazi now.

There is a lot more to show along this trail, but that will have to wait for another day.