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Tag: Yarnell

MWT – More Weaver Mountains


I guess you’ll be seeing a bit more of the Weaver Mountains because they are in my back yard.

Balancing rock
How wonderful to walk under a clear blue sky in the high desert, about 50F with barely a breeze in the late afternoon.

Lichen on granite
My heart is set free and my mind wanders over the land further than my feet will tread this day.

Vulture Mts about 60 miles in the distance
I could live here enjoying the view over morning coffee.

Cholla
Need to get up there in the morning to see the light. Yet at 25F as the sun rises I don’t think that will happen soon.

Land four sale
I really don’t want to see this land developed but with the current housing crunch I don’t think they’ll be selling soon. These 4-9 acre properties are listed from $65,000 to 175,000. Utilities have been brought in along the access roads.

Some of the many curves of Highway 89, left to Yarnell and right to Congress
If I was building, my house would not be within sight of any roads or neighbors.To see more of the world, or to share some of your own, visit My World Tuesday by clicking here.

Arizona, My World Tuesday, Weaver Mountains , , , 30 Comments

Carraro Castle in Yarnell Arizona

Carraro Castle
Jim, Doug & Karen from the turret
A typical tour of Yarnell would normally take about 20 minutes unless you get lucky and meet the current owner of the Carraro Castle.  Doug knows his history about about the place and the man you built it and loves to share as he showed us around.
Carraro Castle
Carraro’s Castle
Some locals call this “Noah’s Ark” or The Castle.
Carraro Castle
From 1957 to 1964 this was the home of Alessio Carraro, who carved his niche into the granite boulders even naming some of the rocks after the animals they resembled.
Carraro Castle
Eagles Head
Carraro was an Italian immigrant and after making his fortune in sheet metal in San Francisco moved to Phoenix in 1928.
Tovrea Castle
Tovrea Castle taken by loydeskildson
He had dreams of building a resort castle surrounded by cactus studded desert. The castle was built and eventually sold to the neighboring stockyard owner E.A. Tovrea in 1931. Tovrea Castle and the Carraro Cactus Garden is now owned and maintained by the City of Phoenix.
Carraro Castle
View of Yarnell from the “Top of the World”
Doug has plans to resurrect Carraro’s dream and build an unusual octagonal house on a small flat area on top of the boulders. The 8 feet on each side base will be topped by another octagon of 24’ feet on each side. Stone steps or a tram will provide transport to him and his wife from the garage/parking area several hundred feet below.
Carraro Castle
View from inside the remains of Carraro’s living area
Doug walked us all around the area telling about his and Carraro’s dreams for these 3.5 acres of mostly boulders.
Carraro Castle
Looking down from outside the living area
They currently live in Phoenix and come to Yarnell on weekends where they stay in a small home on the property next door.
Carraro Castle
Jim in Miracle Grotto
Doug says he gives several tours a day to people who stop and admire what’s left of Carraro’s Castle.
Carraro Castle
His future plans include signs for self-guiding along the many trails.
Carraro Castle
Boulder roof and wall of Miracle Grotto
When Doug first approached us I asked if we were in trouble for trespassing. It turned out to be an excellent surprise tour. And, I highly encourage you to visit FabGrandma’s for a different version.
Carraro Castle
Located at bottom of boulder pile near beginning of trail
Arizona , , , 14 Comments

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