A trip to Tortilla Flat

On Monday, we decided to take a drive to Tortilla Flat.

Carl had planned the trip:

We would get to Tortilla Flat in time for an early lunch, and then proceed the long way around past Roosevelt Lake and through Globe on our way back home (Google Maps Link to route).

When we went on a hike with the Venture Out Hiking Club a couple of weeks ago, we saw Canyon Lake from our hike (https://journeyinamazinggrace.blogspot.com/2021/02/another-hike-this-time-with-hiking-club.html). The drive to Tortilla Flat took us right past the lake and across a couple of one lane bridges.

Carl at Canyon Lake

There were a number of folks at the pullout that we selected -- including a couple getting wedding pictures taken (they were in the white van behind me).

It was pretty much impossible to get a picture without power lines... but it was a very pretty lake.

Not far past the lake we came to Tortilla Flat

We came to eat at the Superstition Saloon. Bob, a neighbor at Venture Out, had suggested that we arrive by 11am to avoid a long wait.

Before going inside, we saw a sign that gave us a little concern...

hmmm.... that would not get us to Roosevelt Lake... oh well, we might as well eat!

The restaurant has interesting wallpaper...

Thousands and thousands of dollar bills

Most of them have writing on them by the person(s) who donated them.

They are even on the ceiling.

I think I overheard our waiter telling the customers at another table that there are $350,000-$400,000 of "wallpaper" on the walls!

The drink menu on the table told us the population of Tortilla Flat, Arizona is 6, and that the town was established in 1904.

Some of the views outside...

The road toward Roosevelt Lake -- and we asked our waiter - he confirmed that it is closed 9 miles ahead -- about 5 miles paved and 4 miles unpaved. He said that a landslide had closed the road back in 2019, and, originally that it was going to be re-opened, but, more recently, it is sounding more like it may not ever be repaired.

Quite a number of folks come to enjoy lunch -- and there was also live music on the patio.

We drove a few miles further toward Roosevelt Lake (not even getting to the dirt road section) before choosing to turn around and head back home. It was beautiful, though the power line was visible a lot of the time (though not in this picture -- that's a sign next to the road, I think).

I had heard that Tortilla Flat was a stagecoach stop, though I didn't really see any information about that while we were visiting the "town". Wikipedia indicates:

Based on available records Tortilla Flat got its start because of the road construction to Roosevelt Dam in 1904. There was a need for a stagecoach stop for freight haulers on their way to the construction site at Roosevelt Dam and Tortilla Flat served that purpose. Shortly following the construction of the road, Roosevelt Dam became a big tourist attraction. At that point Tortilla Flat was a stage stop for tourists and mail carriers through the 1930s. Wikipedia link

Information about the road closure: https://azdot.gov/projects/southeast-district-projects/state-route-88-apache-trail -- it sounds like a fire initially closed the road in July, 2019, after which the road reopened until a huge rain in September, 2019, did major damage to the road, when it closed.

It was a pretty drive and Tortilla Flat is an interesting place to visit. I think I might be just as happy that the road was closed as it looks like it was pretty curvy and gravel for a large part...