One day we decided to make the run up the Apache Trail (RD 88) to Roosevelt Dam. It is a classic 46 mile run up through the Superstition Mtns. that you probably will not make the second time. First 20 miles are paved but very narrow and twisting. Then it gets worse. Very narrow bumpy dirt road with a top speed of about 20 mph. Usually you have a rock wall on one side and drop off on the outside. Going around some corners you had to make sure no one was coming. If so; one of you has to stop to let the other get by. Roosevelt dam is the highest masonry dam in the world. Masonry means cement block not cement itself. It is between 200 and 300 feet high. Half way up the road just as the pavement ends is Tortilla Flat. Just a handful of people live in the town now, but they have a unique restaurant there. All of the walls and ceiling are papered with $1 bills. People just put their names on the bills and staple them on. They don't know how much money is there, but said it is in the 10's of thousands of dollars. Food was just ok. What a great gimic. Have an average restaurant where people flock in to put $1 bills on your wall.
2 comments:
I remember the Apache Trail. Tried three times to take it. The first two times there was water over the road at Tortilla Flats so couldn't continue on. Once I did get beyond that, I was so scared I would have turned around (but was too terrified of the road I had just driven to go back)!
Uncle Rodney drove us on the Apache Trail when we were out there a few years ago. Connie and I "white knuckled" it the entire way! I think your Mom and Aunt June, who were with us, intentionally avoided looking out the car windows. I think we probably made the trip in record time to Tortilla Flats.
DB
DB
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