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Arizona Real Estate Roots: Roadside Geology Class

Mortgage and Lending with SUNSTREET MORTGAGE, LLC (BK-0907366, NMLS 145171) NMLS 223495

November 08, 2009 01:09 AM

Rock concretion near Winkleman, AZ

Roadside geology class led by my friend Dave Young They're not making any more real estate. How many times have you heard that from an agent who's trying to sell you some?

Actually, it's not true.

Planet earth is living, moving, folding in on itself, and constantly re-creating the stuff we call real estate. (Then again, our lifetime is less than the blink of an eye on that geologic time scale, so you might want to act on that purchase you've been contemplating before someone else snaps it up.)

The Gila River cuts through Arizona, exposing layers of rock A dozen of us got together on Saturday morning to take a
"roadside geology" trip to Winkleman, Arizona. Two of our number, Dave Young and Keith Long, are geologists.

Road cut near Winkleman, AZ That's the Gila River on the left. Over eons, it has cut through what is now Arizona, exposing strata of rock to our view.

On the west side of the river is this man-made vertical cut through the same rock strata, made by the Road Department when they built Rt. 77 through Winkleman.

Concretion in a road cut near Winkleman, AZ

The photo at the top, and the one on the lower left, show "concretions" made of rock, embedded within a solid rock matrix.

These particular concretions are located along the side of the road, north of the town of Winkleman. Pretty cool, isn't it?

You won't see these gems from Interstate 10 at 65 MPH.

Next time you visit Arizona, don't be in a hurry to get to your resort destination. Get off our Interstate Highway system and spend some time on the back roads.

What you see will make you want to stay and explore.

___________________

I'm Mike in Tucson, your preferred Tucson, AZ Mortgage lender.

SUNSTREET MORTGAGE
Call me if I can help you or someone you know
with a purchase or refi mortgage.
(520) 349-9090

photos copyright Mike in Tucson

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Mark Watterson

Salt Lake City, UT

Utah Real Estate

Great photos.

Sometimes we do need to slow and take in the beauty.

Nov 08, 2009 01:11 AM

Dorie Dillard Austin TX

Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX

NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Hi Mike,

I'm amazed at the colors in the rocks..you have certainly captured some beautiful areas in your neck of the woods. Thanks for sharing with us today. I really enjoyed seeing your great photos and commentary.

Nov 08, 2009 01:13 AM

Julie Chapman

Julie Chapman Broker - Ormond Beach, FL

Daytona Beach Shores, Florida

Mike,

I flagged this post for a feature.....I feel the AR staff misses feature worthy posts on localism....great job

Nov 08, 2009 01:15 AM

Don Rogers

Keller Williams Realty Chesterfield - O'Fallon, MO

Realtor, Broker, CDPE, GRI, OnullFallon MO & St Charles County MO homes

Sir, I can see that you are trying to entice us to come out on a vacation. Come fess up!! Then when we get there you are going to try to sell us on the benefits of staying aren't you?

Another nice look at your area my friend.

Nov 08, 2009 01:17 AM

William J. Archambault, Jr.

The Real Estate Investment Institute - Houston, TX

Mike,

Awesome!

"You won't see these gems from Interstate 10 at 65 MPH." That my friend explains a lot os bitter and shallow people! Pretty heavy in the morning.

Bill

Nov 08, 2009 01:54 AM

Susie Blackmon

Ocala, FL

Ocala, Horses, Western Wear, Horse Farms, Marketing

I would love to have more time in Tubac! Love the businesses with living quarters. Too bad they aren't Airstreams.

Nov 08, 2009 02:56 AM

C. Bartch

Newark, OH

Mike I'm a dawdler so I enjoy the journey via the scenic route ;)

Nov 08, 2009 05:50 AM

Mike Jones

SUNSTREET MORTGAGE, LLC (BK-0907366, NMLS 145171) - Tucson, AZ

Mike Jones NMLS 223495

Cynthia,

Dawdling is fun. I'm a "sit and visit" kind of guy.

Susie,

We'd love to see you down in Tubac! When are you planning to visit?

Bill,

Sort of like "stop and smell the roses." :)

Don,

I confess. Yes, I am!

Julie,

Thanks for the encouragement!

Dorie,

They're not just boring rocks, are they?!

Mark,

Thanks for being the first to comment! You're so right.

Mike in Tucson

Nov 08, 2009 11:32 AM

Suzanne McLaughlin

Sabinske & Associates, Inc. (Albertville, St. Michael) - Saint Michael, MN

Sabinske & Associates, Realtor

Ooooh, I want to get back to the sun. Today, the lampposts started up at 2 PM....it's so dark and gloomy here in November, and we still have December and January and the whole rest of next year until, I think, April before we see the sun again.......

Nov 08, 2009 12:58 PM

Cynthia Tilghman, Realtor® Onslow County NC Home Specialist

Kingsbridge Realty, Inc - Hubert, NC

Mike,
Those rocks look like colored gems--the colors are spectacular. What a beautiful and interesting area you live in.

Nov 08, 2009 09:47 PM

Mike Jones

SUNSTREET MORTGAGE, LLC (BK-0907366, NMLS 145171) - Tucson, AZ

Mike Jones NMLS 223495

Cynthia,

They're not so brilliant when they're dry, but when we pour water over them, the color pops! I think I'd find any area interesting and beautiful, but I'm glad to live in Arizona.

Suzanne,

Tucson has more than 300 days of sunshine each year. Come on down!

Mike in Tucson

Nov 08, 2009 11:34 PM

Toula Rosebrock

Diane Turton, Realtors, Forked River, NJ - Lacey Township, NJ

Broker/Sales Associate, Realtor, Lacey Township,

www.ToulaRosebrock.com Hi Mike:

Those photos are awesome!

I just love all the colors in the rocks...

You don't see that in NJ!!! :)

Nov 12, 2009 02:51 PM

Mike Jones

SUNSTREET MORTGAGE, LLC (BK-0907366, NMLS 145171) - Tucson, AZ

Mike Jones NMLS 223495

Toula,

Not so! I have some rocks from Franklin, NJ that light up beautifully under black light. I'll have to get them out and play again.

Mike in Tucson

Nov 12, 2009 09:22 PM

Sallie Williams

Keller Williams Realty RED STICK PARTNERS - Baton Rouge, LA

REALTOR - MBA, Baton Rouge

Mike, in my college classes, geology was my least favorite class, but in recent years I'm finding that Natl Geographic station has some of the best shows on geology, formation of the earth and moon, etc., and I have a much better appreciation for geology and the rocks. And I do appreciate your photos. They are beautiful.

Nov 13, 2009 11:05 PM

Mike Jones

SUNSTREET MORTGAGE, LLC (BK-0907366, NMLS 145171) - Tucson, AZ

Mike Jones NMLS 223495

Sallie,

Isn't it interesting how things we wouldn't have looked at a second time when we were kids now capture our attention? Thanks for commenting.

Mike in Tucson

Nov 14, 2009 08:09 PM

Andrea Swiedler

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties - New Milford, CT

Realtor, Southern Litchfield County CT

Mike, when I was a teen we had a cattle ranch on the Verde River. I saw the MOST amazing things on that ranch, Arizona is awesome for sure! Thanks for those photos and the story.

Nov 15, 2009 10:45 AM

Debra Leisek

Bay Realty,Inc Homer Alaska - Homer, AK

Hey I have used that line... Real estate...they aint making any more of it... I guess I need to be careful about saying that now! Makes me miss AZ... do You know Freds in the desert a bar and grill that serves beans with steaks and big frogs? ah now that was good!

Nov 15, 2009 05:27 PM

Mike Jones

SUNSTREET MORTGAGE, LLC (BK-0907366, NMLS 145171) - Tucson, AZ

Mike Jones NMLS 223495

Debra,

Where is FREDS? What town? I've got to go try it.

Andrea,

You must have some photos; please share!

Mike in Tucson

Nov 16, 2009 01:40 AM