Today we spent the afternoon at Montezuma Castle/Well and Tuzigoot National Monuments. Located just south of Sedona, our trek was a short one! Montezuma's Castle is an 1100 year old Sinagua ruin. Tucked into the limestone cliffs, it sits 100 feet off the valley floor. Early explorers thought it was Aztec in origin so named it Montezuma's Castle. Montezuma Well is a limestone sink formed from a collapsed underground cavern. Natural springs feed the well and the temperature stays 76 degrees year-round. The Southern Sinagua dug irrigation ditches in the limestone to irrigate their crops. The well was beautiful and intriguing.
Tuzigoot is the remnant of a Southern Sinagua village built between 1125 and 1400. It sits 120 feet above the valley floor. The original pueblo was two stories high in places, with 77 ground floor rooms. The girls enjoyed walking into the ruins and climbing up the ladders to the roof. Of course, they are both new Jr. Rangers! If we continue on our pace, we will have visited 30 national parks and monuments in 60 days! I AM crazy, but having lots of fun.
We have had a magical time in Sedona with our family, but will be heading on our way tomorrow.
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