Thursday, August 18, 2011

Exploring Tortilla Flat, Arizona


Discovery of Tortilla Flat

While in Las Vegas we love to take tours within Nevada and Arizona. The most interesting discovery is
Tortilla Flat of Arizona.
Tortilla Flat
We rented a car and headed to Mesa, Arizona to visit my family. From there we went along the highway to US 60 East( also known as Superstition Freeway) and along Apache Junction and State Route 88 for 18 miles. Tortilla Flat is just 2 miles past Canyon Lake.

Did you know that Tortilla Flat is noted for the smallest friendliest town in Arizona? It also boasts for having a U.S.Post Office for a such a small population of only 6 people.

The Little Settlement of Torilla Flat

We knew we reached our destination as soon as we noticed the little quaint settlement with its own Superstition Saloon; a real treat to visit. The most interesting attraction was the funny wallpaper pasted with really dollar bills from visitors across the world. And when was the last time your bar seats happen to be horse saddles?

Of course we had to visit the restaurant serving Old West Breakfasts, the hottest Chilis known as the
"Killer Chili", Grande Na-Chos, the famous Chimichanga and the fun Cackleberries Mexicanna Mornin Chow.
Tortilla Flat is like taking a little trip back into the western frontier of the old west. After our rip-torting taste of the "Killer Chili" we mosey on down to the the creaky boardwalk to a stonewall Gift Shop full of nik naks related to the southwest. I'm always picking up a cookbook or two and today was no exception. To me, a cookbook is like a souvenir, just like Canadian Recipes of the Great White North. My eyes quickly zero in on a Southwestern Indian Cookbook that would add to my souvenir collection. They also add quick bites of hot salsa's; of course I had to buy one.

The History of Tortilla Flat

It goes way back with the Indians crossing its most valuable resource - water. It was the prefect place to set-up camp with a small trickling creek known as the Tonto Trail.
It wasn't long before a Spanish explorer named Cabeza de Vaca found his way to the Southwest Superstition Mountain where he met up with the Pueblo Indians who told him of the Seven Cities of Cibola or known as the Cities of Gold. Superstition Mountain has since been rumors of gold. It was believed that the Jesuit Priests of Spain had found a a pocket of gold and didn't have any intention of sharing it with their
Spanish King. The King ordered the Jesuits to be executed, but before they could follow out their plans the Jesuit Priests hide the gold in the Superstition Mountains and throughout the southwestern desert.
Apparently, it is told, in 1847 to 1848 a group of Mexicans under Don Miquel Peralta had found the treasure of gold but were met with Apaches who killed all but one.
To this day, the legend is alive with reports of gold within the Superstition Mountain.

But the real truth of the matter of Tortilla Flat is when a group of cowboys were stranded due to a flash flood, their only staples at the time was flour. They made tortillas and christened the flat, Tortilla
Flat.

And today, Flash flood is still a very real part of the southwestern desert. We couldn't adventure any
further along the road due to a flash-flood just two days before. Tortilla Flat is a true gem to explore
when in Arizona.
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