The Project Gutenberg EBook of Arizona Sketches, by Joseph A. Munk

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Title: Arizona Sketches

Author: Joseph A. Munk

Posting Date: August 3, 2008 [EBook #756]
Release Date: December, 1996

Language: English

Character set encoding: ASCII

*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ARIZONA SKETCHES ***

Produced by Dianne Bean. HTML version by Al Haines.

ARIZONA SKETCHES

by

Joseph A. Munk

CHAPTER

I. A ROMANTIC LAND
II. MY FIRST TRIP TO ARIZONA
III. THE OPEN RANGE
IV. RANCH LIFE
V. THE ROUND-UP
VI. RANCH HAPPENINGS
VII. A MODEL RANCH
VIII. SOME DESERT PLANTS
IX. HOOKER'S HOT SPRINGS
X. CANON ECHOES
XI. THE METEORITE MOUNTAIN
XII. THE CLIFF DWELLERS
XIII. THE MOQUI INDIANS
XIV. A FINE CLIMATE

CHAPTER I

A ROMANTIC LAND

A stranger on first entering Arizona is impressed with the newness and
wildness that surrounds him. Indeed, the change is so great that it
seems like going to sleep and waking up in a new world. Everything
that he sees is different from the familiar objects of his home, and he
is filled with wonder and amazement at the many curious things that are
brought to his notice. Judging the country by what is common back
east, the average man is disappointed and prejudiced against what he
sees; but, estimated on its merits, it is found to be a land of many
attractions and great possibilities.

A hasty trip through the country by rail gives no adequate idea of its
intrinsic value, as such a limited view only affords a superficial
glimpse of what should be leisurely and carefully examined to be
properly understood or appreciated. At the first glance it presents
the appearance of a desert, but to one who is acquainted with its
peculiarities it is by no means desolate. It furnishes a strong
contrast to the rolling woodlands of the far east, and to the boundless
prairies of the middle west; and, though it may never develop on the
plan of the older states, like California, it has an individuality and
charm of its own; and its endowment of natural wealth and beauty
requires no borrowing from neighbors to give it character or success.

It has gr