We often travel far to see an ancient site sometimes asking a local for a review only to find that they haven’t even heard of their local attraction. We were surprised until we realized we had done the SAME THING in our hometown. Since our revelation we are determined to explore more sites nearby In fact we had a lot of fun recently at the Signal Hill Petroglyphs located in the Saguaro National Park West just few miles away.
We took a picnic and enjoyed a few little animals and birds. Great place to enjoy a picnic lunch at the well kept covered tables.
Just to the east is an easy path leading to the petroglyphs. 
They are said to have been created by the Hohokam people. We stop to to imagine what the artist was trying to convey with these symbols.
Looking over the valley from this site I can see how it would have been chosen as a beacon for travelers.
I have to say it’s been fun discovering adventure right in our own back yard.
Rising high above the desert Babo Peak has been written about for centuries as a beacon for those who travel through the valleys. Unfamiliar with the permits required for hiking on the reservation, and not knowing the trails, I searched and found an archaeological tour group heading to I’itoi Cave. I was thrilled to finally climb that famous peak. 
The archaeologist and guide is Al Dart from 
Al was quick to point out that the tee pee is not part of the Tohono O’Odham culture but had been used for this particular ceremony and overnight stay. He went on to describe the history of the area in great detail. Even at this early stage of the tour we could tell this would be a wonderful experience.
The campground area is beautiful and worth exploring. 
Above us and surrounding us like a giant hug stood Babo Peak. 
The hike to I’itoi Cave is a little over mile on a trail rated difficult. 
Fortunately our guide made frequent stops along the trek pointing out both man made and natural wonders along the way. 
He included reading excerpts of early European explorers during our rest stops.The views are spectacular and unspoiled from this vista. 
What a perfect day to hike.
The cave has a tiny triangular entrance behind an outcropping of rock. 
It’s a wonder anyone found it at all. It is said I’itoi still lives there as protector of the Tohono O’Odham people. Iitoi is sometimes referred to as “Older Brother”. Some traditions have him entering the cave through a labyrinth and others refer to him as the man in the maze.
We were met by the caretaker/shaman of the Baboquivari Wilderness Area who was waiting by the entrance. He is said to be over 60 and makes the climb three times a week.
He told us stories about I’itoi and Eagle Man who had been sent to earth by the creator. Both of them were tasked with making people so they each set out to make people of different colors. Eagle Man’s people did not survive but I’itoi’s purple people were strong and became the Tohono O’Odham.
The shaman/caretaker was asked why he let non natives enter the cave. More specifically, why he would let Catholic or Christian symbols be placed as offerings. His answer was beautiful. He said he had thought about it many times, and had meditated about it for a long time here in the cave. He said he believes that there is one god, different to the different cultures, but still one. He said their story is similar to a Christian story. They share a flood story, and I’itoi died and rose again. As long as people are respectful, he wants to share this sacred cave with the anyone seeking it’s peace.
Finally our turn came. We aren’t allowed to take pictures inside the cave and I can see why. Whether or not one believes in I’itoi as a deity or not, there is a unique reverence entering the darkness. A shaft of light is just enough to see the uneven walls of the cave and shines deep toward the sloping back wall. What lies inside are the prayers, hopes and dreams of those who had come before. I noticed a faint scent of incense as I knelt down to add two little purple flowers that I had brought from home. I gave them my own meaning as I placed them in the fine dust on the floor so they would just catch the corner of the sunbeam. My own experience was energizing kneeling there on the soft dirt. Following the sun I exited out the triangle hole and slid back to the real world.
Refreshed we all headed down the mountain to the next stop….Petroglyphs.
There is an outcropping of rock on the valley floor peppered with petroglyphs
Protected by an overhang they have been here for centuries.
Some of the red pictographs are dated at over 5,000 years old. The whiter carved petroglyphs more modern, around 500 years and have Hohokam influence.
Some areas had holes used for grinding. A new tradition to toss coins into them as a prediction of future events.
As the sun faded to a glorious Arizona sunset it was time to say goodbye.
Added some new ornaments to the saguaro and cross series too. 
Etsy: DesertWindsGallery
Actually it’s a pool cover rolled up in a bag that nevertheless scared the holy poop out of me. UPS delivered the giant box after dark so G opened it up & put it in the kitchen to take out at first light. THE REST of the story is that about a half hour later, I shufled back to the kitchen, left the light off and jumped again! Stupid haunted pool cover. MORAL of the STORY: While it’s fun to have short term memory when rewatching a Netflix series, forgetting there is a spooky haunted pool cover in the kitchen is recipe for multiple frights. 
I told G “I can’t remember ever having been here before”. He tells me how he used to call on the Ajo when he was in sales in the 70″s. He held up his arm, pointed to his armpit, and says “here’s Ajo”. NOT true today! 
Expecting the worst, I was surprised at the cute renovations on the rows of old mining bungalows, restoration of Municipal buildings, and churches. 
Perhaps the most impressive is the tremendous amount of street art.
Not just art, each piece was meaningful and moving. Spent so much time here studying them, wondering about the artist, feeling the pain expressed through this beauty. Viewing them I felt overwhelming sadness, pain, anger, happiness, beauty. I touched the hot brick gently perhaps trying to connect with the artist to hug them and thank them for sharing their soul. A few examples below. 
Unfortunately there was not a fast food establishment and our tummies are protesting noisily. Perhaps lack of a modern drive thru fast food establishment is how it should be in this antique town. We stopped at the a local spot, 
MORAL OF THE STORY; Don’t judge a town by the 70’s , OR- G’s armpit is more artistic and lovely than previously thought.
Gas, food, Mexican Insurance and even scorpion filled candy available here.
Off to the side of the store there is a refreshing fountain created by the owner of the store. We LOVED this!
shenaniganswithleannagainwebdotme 