Quartzite, Arizona

Quartzite is a non descript town located well within the arid vastness of Arizona; there is nothing particularly special about the town, however, the environs surrounding Quartzite are well worth a visit. Leaving the highway we traversed an old four wheel drive trail that lead to a washout (perennial stream bed). Rock shelters could be seen amongst the red rock sandstone and basaltic rock which flanked one side of the washout; although I did not climb to the shelters it is not hard to image prehistoric man, and then Americans Indians occupying the sites.

Several species of cacti can be observed in the area with the main species being the tall saguaro cactus made infamous in Hollywood western movies. I found particularly interesting the crptobiotic soil which was common in the area and the wide assortment of volcanic and sedimentary rocks which continually attracted my attention. Amongst several rocky areas were small alpine plants with purple and yellow flowers.

The architecture of 70% of buildings in the desert area is interesting. The buildings are covered in an earth coloured material a few inches in thickness - similar to covering bricks in mud. The reason for this covering is soon apparent when you enter a building for it's several degrees cooler inside than outside.