We set out on our search for the fabled Water Bottle Burial Ground reportedly located along the canal in Mesa. It was an unusually wet and stormy day, with lowering clouds and rain showers. The canal bank was deserted, probably because of the rain. It rains so infrequently that people freak out when they think about getting wet and stay indoors.
Our first indication of civilization as we know it, was the high protective screen on the bridge over the canal. I speculate that it is to keep despondent people from jumping from the bridge and drowning in the canal. Notice that the fence extends about four feet from the edge of the bridge. One morning someone had driven their car into the canal and it was under this bridge. Driving into the canal is a regular occurrence in Mesa and the Salt River Valley.
Next we see a walking lady making her way down the canal bank. The Water Bottle Burial Ground is invisible to those who are not in tuned with the spirit of the canal.
There it was, the Burial Ground. I conjecture that future generations will find layers of plastic that they will mine for the hydrocarbons. 
The banks of the canals are coated with fabulous shells. It is easy to resist picking them up however, since you do not want any extra weight so you can survive the fierce summer heat.
Every so often, about every 100 yards, the Salt River Project has placed lovely yellow steps in the canal bank. If you fall into the canal and can swim, you can swim to one of these steps and get out of the canal. If you can't swim, you need to fall into the canal right next to the stairs.
Walking lady is still walking.
Canals banks, power lines, retention basins, irrigation ditches, all sorts of things to see along the canals.
Walking lady reaching her goal of a walk along the canal.
While your archeological visual tour is most enlightening, I must correct a hasty supposition in your documentation.
ReplyDeleteThe shopping carts are in the canal as a result of ceremonial purposes.
CaliZona is correct. The tradition of throwing the ceremonial shopping cart into the canal dates back to the original settlers of the Phoenix Valley - the Basha-Kam. The Basha-Kam natives lived in the Valley, along the banks of the canals, for 1000 years when they mysteriously disappeared. Legend has it that Eddie, chief of the Basha-Kam, poked his head out of the mud hut one August day and realized just how hot it was. So he, and the entire tribe, packed up and moved to Canada where they became known as the Winnebago.
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