Ghost Town - Chloride, Arizona

On our way to Kingman, AZ on US 93, we stopped by this old mine town built in 1860s. During its heyday, there were more than 75 silver mines in operation, and 5,000 residents. The local miners excavated minerals like silver, turquoise, and gold until late 1920s when the town was burnt to the ground. By the 1940s, it had practically became a ghost town. 

Today, Chloride has revived itself from becoming a permanent ghost town by promoting tourism. Our experience there was a bit of the Old West. Though it it often called a ghost town, the area is still inhabited by more than 300 people. 

The Old Jail, est. 1860

A quick catnap????

The Playhouse

Chloride Baptist Church since 1891

As we explored this little town, we were amazed with some curious display of junk art.

The people we've met were very friendly and nice. As you know, "One person's junk is another person's treasure."

Today's Thought - Courage

Hebrews 12:1 – “And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

The Olympic Games, Mexico, 1968. The marathon is the final event on the program. The Olympic stadium is packed and there is excitement as the first athlete, an Ethiopian runner, enters the stadium. The crowd erupts as he crosses the finish line.

Way back in the field is another runner, John Stephen Akwhari of Tanzania. He has been eclipsed by the other runners. After 30 kilometers his head is throbbing, his muscles are aching and he falls to the ground. He has serious leg injuries and officials want him to retire, but he refuses. With his knee bandaged Akwhari picks himself up and hobbles the remaining 12 kilometers to the finish line. An hour after the winner has finished Akwhari enters the stadium. All but a few thousand of the crowd have gone home. Akwhari moves around the track at a painstakingly slow pace, until finally he collapses over the finish line.

It is one of the most heroic efforts of Olympic history. Afterward, asked by a reporter why he had not dropped out, Akwhari says, “My country did not send me to start the race. They sent me to finish.” (Source: reported on Sydney 2000 Olympics website).

As a runner keeps toward his or her goal to finish the race, we should keep looking to fix our eyes on Jesus. We should preserver not to lose heart, quite the race, or give up the fight of unbelief or apostasy. The Christian race is endurance, a life time marathon, not a 50-yard dash. As you face life’s trials, do not stop running but continue with your eyes fixed upon Jesus.

Liberty Bell Arch Hike

This hike is located along Highway 93, south of the Hoover Dam in Lake Mead National Recreation Area, about 38 minutes southeast of Las Vegas. Hiking distance is 2.5 mile to the Liberty Bell Arch and additional 0.5 mile to Black Canyon Overlook.

Liberty Bell Arch Hike Map

The trail follows the White Rock wash.

Trail sign: Liberty Arch

The trail runs down White Rock Wash

On trail, upper mine area with cable-car ore chute

Trail switchbacks

View of the Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tilman Memorial Bridge.

Liberty Bell Arch

We've made it.

Continue climb to Black Canyon Overlook

Arrive Black Canyon Overlook: 1,000 feet down

Summit Register at Black Canyon Overlook

View of the Colorado River gorge

Black Canyon Overlook Summit - Elevation 1,707 feet, cumulative distance is 2.79 mile. Incredible hike. Great panoramic views the entire way.

Today's Thought - Anger

Ephesians 4:26-27, “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.”

An author for “Readers Digest” writes how he studied the Amish people in preparation for an article on them. In his observation at the school yard, he noted that the children never screamed or yelled. This amazed him. He spoke to the schoolmaster. He remarked how he had not once heard an Amish child yell, and asked why the schoolmaster thought that was so. The schoolmaster replied, “Well, have you ever heard an Amish adult yell?” (Source: “Counter Attack,” Jay Carty, Multnomah Press, 1988, p. 41ff).

Anger can often get the best of us at times. Things don’t go our way, we react harshly, and tempers rage. Sometimes we justify our anger too. We feel hurt, someone didn’t treat us right, we want revenge, and we let that anger soak into our heart and consume us. While it may feel right to hold onto anger, God commands us, “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.”

Oftentimes, Ephesians 4:26 is applied to married couples in resolving disputes before the day is done, but God makes no specifications for who should let go of anger. This verse applies to everyone. God simply tells us to resolve our anger and not carry it over into the next day. Everything in you wants to throw the coal (make right the wrong) but the hot coal of anger is going to hurt you more than it hurts the one who wronged you.

Ask God to reveal any hurtful feelings and seek His help in offering forgiveness to those who wrong you. Giving forgiveness rather than getting revenge is only done through God’s help.

Petroglyph Canyon Trail, Nevada

The Petroglyph Canyon Trail, follows a shallow ravine through the western section of the McCullough Range mountains to one of the most important archaeological sites in Nevada, with over 300 separate rock art panels and around 1,700 individual designs. We weren’t able to find all 1,700 designs but we did enjoy few as you can see from our photos.

The petroglyphs are etched into the weathered patina of the dark volcanic boulders which are scattered all over the mountains, and many of the designs are large, clear and easy to locate. The rock art has a great variety of designs, including anthropomorphic figures, animals, hunt scenes and geometric shapes.

The hike was relatively easy but does require climbing a couple of minor drywalls. We approached by the main canyon (trail 100) and returned the same way, about 4.1 miles, gaining 500 feet.