Where in the World Wednesday: Arizona

Where in the World?

Goldfield Ghost Town, Apache Junction, AZ

This week, we travel to the historic Goldfield Ghost Town at the base of the Superstition Mountains in Apache Junction, Arizona. Goldfield is a really fun place to visit, especially if you have kids. It's also pretty great if you're just a big kid with a soft spot for Wild West fanatsy, like me. I loved its rich sense of the Wild West--the idea of of gritty guys panning for gold and dancing dames on the saloon stage.

I also loved the authentic Victorian feel of Goldfield's buildings, as well as learning the history of all the town's amenities past and present. It seems to have been the kind of place that had just about everything a miner from the 1890's would need—everything from a saloon to a bordello, a gunfight to a jail, a church and a post office. You can even take a visit to the OK Corral for a tour on horseback, or to cool down from the 110 degree day, enjoy a trip to the local ice cream parlor. But, be sure to pay your bill! The saloon takes the boots of non-paying customers right off of your feet and onto the ceiling. Dine-and-dashers beware!

Goldfield became a spot on the map in 1892 when some found that there was gold in them thar hills. And, in short order, the town grew into a bustling mining camp. After investing some time and money into building out the town, a few years later, the mines broke and the town's residents moved out. Throughout the rest of the 1890s and into the 1920s, several attempts were made to re-open the town. But alas, without gold in the mines, the tiny town of Goldfield went under.

Goldfield was a quick, easy trip from Phoenix, and definitely worth every 110-degree second. The views surrounding the town of the Superstition Mountains were pretty spectacular too. And if you have the time, I highly recommend checking out the gorgeous sunsets. Anyway, back home in Capitola, I beaded up this Goldfield-inspired necklace. I used Chinese turquoise and this gorgeous golden yellow jasper with three square beads made of brown-striped jasper. I decided to name it the MINERS JUNCTION Necklace.