At first glance it looks like just a pile of rocks, but there is more to it than that. This is a place of modern day ruins, remnants of a castle that Alessio Carrarro, an Italian immigrant who had made his fortune in sheet metal in San Francisco, started building in the 1950's to entice his wife to come to Arizona to life. She wanted no part of living here, but he believed that if he could build a beautiful castle for her, that she would change her mind. Carrarro was the same guy who designed and built the Tovrea Castle in Phoenix.
It is amazing to think about building those stone walls and mixing all that cement on the steep cliffs, working around the large boulders there. He must have been one determined man.
When we got to the property and parked the truck, no one else was around. I asked Gaelyn if we would get in trouble if we climbed up to the castle, as we were on private property. She said she had been up there before, so up we went. Soon, the owner, Doug Campblin, joined us on the trail. That in itself was the second amazing thing about this place. He said he encourages visitors to Noah's Ark, because it was too unique not to share. He acted like a tour guide and gave us lots of history about the place. He was certainly a very gracious host.
Here's Gaelyn in the doorway of the castle.
Some of the window sashes and the door facings are still there.
This was really a castle, see that turret up there?
Me and FabGrandpa in front of the "octopus".
FabGrandpa surveying his kingdom.
There is our truck waaaayyyyy down there! yes, we really did climb all the way up. (and my legs hurt like heck the next day!)
A view from the top. These rocks are balanced precariously above the houses below.
The elephant. The reason the place is called Noah's Ark, is that there are a lot of large boulders that look like animals here. Someone long ago painted their names on them so you'd be sure to see them.
The bear. He's looking down on the town of Yarnell.
Another view of the castle.
If you ever get to Yarnell, it is well worth the effort and time to visit Noah's Ark. Yarnell is on Highwy 89 between Wickenburg and Prescott, Arizona. And if you get to meet Doug, tell him FabGrandma sent you.
8 comments:
This looks like a place I really want to see. But I'll bet there's a geocache there so I may wait a bit until we get our GPS system.
To cool girl. I'm posting Carraro today also and will link to you.
What an awesome day, huh?
Looks like we have some pics to swap.
Fabulous Pictures and a wonderful tour by you too.
Its wonderful to have people like you and Gaelyn and Doug sharing the world that they enjoy around them.
Thanks for the entertaining tour of the unusual Noah's Ark. Those animal rocks are cute and I like the window openings and turrets. Looks like everyone had a fabulous time there!
These are great pitures too Karen. Some climb alright but well worth it I think. :) Gaelyn does seem to know fantastic places. :)
Wow what an interesting place and lucky to get a private tour.Thanks for visiting my blog.
this was so awesome! Gosh I want to travel more
We took the Tovrea Castle Tour FR night and learned about Noah's Ark in Yarnell, AZ. Now, I want to visit it, of course. :-)
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