Yesterday we drove back to Arizona (only 25 miles south of us) to the Kaibab Paiute Reservation and the Pipe Spring National Monument of the US Park System - equally shared in duties between the two entities. The history of this place is amazing - who could survive in this harsh climate? The natural spring is located between the Vermilion Cliffs to the east and the Grand Canyon to the south and Zion National Park to the west, flowing cold water from the sandstones pours out from a crevice and nourishes this ranch. Enough water to support this ranch but not an entire town. The Mormon Church established this tithing ranch back in 1879, Brigham Young - the leader of the Mormons - wanted the members to spread out and spread the Mormon word. The spring is located along the Arizona strip - a term we learned yesterday that is the narrow land that skirts the north of the Grand Canyon and runs along a plateau making it easy for folks moving from the east to the west and not get caught in all the canyons and red sandstone valleys. Interesting to learn about how the Mormons tried to convert the Paiute Indians to their religion, how the Navajos often raided the Paiutes and the settlers and how the Paiutes were misidentified as Navajos, how the US government clamped down on the polygamy that the Mormons were known for, how the 3 cultures interacted. The Winsore Castle as this Mormon outpost was called, provided rest and comfort for those pioneers traveling the road. The fort (castle) was built directly over the spring which didn't make the Paiutes too happy, and also each direction in the fort had gun ports where they could watch for anyone coming and not get shot at. It also provided food such as butter, milk, cheese and live cattle to support the men who were constructing of the Mormon Temple in St. George - a mere 4 day ride by horse - and 2 hour dive by car today. And with the growth of the ranch, the herds desiccated the land and could not support the ranch and eventually the whole ranch was sold. Many couples stopped at the Pipe Spring on their way to the Church to get married and thus this route was called the Honeymoon Trail. Life on the ranch looked harsh, but somehow inviting. And with the tour of the Castle I fell in love with every room - had a reproduction quilts displayed. Yeah! I hope our pictures come out - just not enough words to say without seeing the pic.
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Pipe Spring
Yesterday we drove back to Arizona (only 25 miles south of us) to the Kaibab Paiute Reservation and the Pipe Spring National Monument of the US Park System - equally shared in duties between the two entities. The history of this place is amazing - who could survive in this harsh climate? The natural spring is located between the Vermilion Cliffs to the east and the Grand Canyon to the south and Zion National Park to the west, flowing cold water from the sandstones pours out from a crevice and nourishes this ranch. Enough water to support this ranch but not an entire town. The Mormon Church established this tithing ranch back in 1879, Brigham Young - the leader of the Mormons - wanted the members to spread out and spread the Mormon word. The spring is located along the Arizona strip - a term we learned yesterday that is the narrow land that skirts the north of the Grand Canyon and runs along a plateau making it easy for folks moving from the east to the west and not get caught in all the canyons and red sandstone valleys. Interesting to learn about how the Mormons tried to convert the Paiute Indians to their religion, how the Navajos often raided the Paiutes and the settlers and how the Paiutes were misidentified as Navajos, how the US government clamped down on the polygamy that the Mormons were known for, how the 3 cultures interacted. The Winsore Castle as this Mormon outpost was called, provided rest and comfort for those pioneers traveling the road. The fort (castle) was built directly over the spring which didn't make the Paiutes too happy, and also each direction in the fort had gun ports where they could watch for anyone coming and not get shot at. It also provided food such as butter, milk, cheese and live cattle to support the men who were constructing of the Mormon Temple in St. George - a mere 4 day ride by horse - and 2 hour dive by car today. And with the growth of the ranch, the herds desiccated the land and could not support the ranch and eventually the whole ranch was sold. Many couples stopped at the Pipe Spring on their way to the Church to get married and thus this route was called the Honeymoon Trail. Life on the ranch looked harsh, but somehow inviting. And with the tour of the Castle I fell in love with every room - had a reproduction quilts displayed. Yeah! I hope our pictures come out - just not enough words to say without seeing the pic.
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