Day Trip: Roosevelt - Globe - Miami - Superior, Arizona

Feb 19

Tonto National Forest Arizona — Indulging in the petrichor of the Sonoran desert since it rained before this trip,
Tonto National Forest

Day trips are one of my favorite things about living in Arizona. There are so many small towns to explore. Some are popular but others you either hear nothing about or bad things. But listen, in Arizona even the roughest towns are still stimulating with their “roller coaster” mountain views and sunsets. Except Roosevelt, this article is quite possibly about those type towns.

Theodore Roosevelt Dam Arizona — Theodore Roosevelt Dam, built between 1905 and 1911

Next up, Roosevelt for the scenic views of the Theodore Roosevelt Lake Bridge and Dam. Before the bridge was built, a one-way road on top of the Roosevelt Dam was used to cross Roosevelt Lake. The road is no longer accessible by vehicles but you can still walk on top of the dam to experience parts of the old road. I haven’t explored it yet but it’s on my list.

Theodore Roosevelt Lake (reservoir) Arizona — Roosevelt Lake Bridge, completed in 1990

Came across this old beauty from the days of only one vehicle at a time. According to AZDOT, it’s one of the earliest documented bridges built after Arizona became a state.

Old Salt River Bridge near the head of Roosevelt Lake Arizona — Historic Salt River Bridge near Roosevelt Lake. About 30 miles before reaching Globe

One of my favorite parts of this trip was this massive Saguaro that some outlaw threw tires onto. I rode upon it on a dirt road in Globe. I was awestruck… It can take up to 100 years for a Saguaro to grow an arm and this one grew one since one of the tires was thrown! That’s all on this Saguaro for now, I’m going to dedicate another article to ramble about this Saguaro with additional photos.

Historic Jail Gila County Globe Arizona 1910 Old Prisons — Gila County Jail, Globe, Arizona

Grabbed a photo of this old jail but didn’t read about it until I got back home. It operated from 1910 to 1981 and is supposedly haunted. Since tours are available, I’ve added it to my list!

Onto to Miami, Arizona with the Pinal Mountains in view throughout the drive. It’s an old copper mining town and I mostly drifted through admiring the many dilapidated, but very interesting looking buildings.