Courtesy Goldfield Ghost Town

Since the Arizona weather gave us a break yesterday—with cloudy skies and temps in the high 80s to low 90s—we decided it was the perfect day for a short road trip. Destination? Goldfield Ghost Town in Apache Junction, just about 30 minutes from home. For those not familiar, Apache Junction (or “AJ” as the locals say) is a charming little town full of Western flair: think cowboys, horses, rodeos, bull riding, and enough Southwestern gift shops to make your boots spin.

Goldfield’s Ghost Town is free to enter, though you’ll want a few bucks in your pocket if you’re planning on riding the train, flying the zip line, or taking part in other fun extras. We packed up and brought Lucy along for the ride—our tiny, brave little pup who’s had plenty of car experience. But the winding road leading up to Goldfield did a number on her little tummy. When we opened the back door and found her booster seat… let’s just say we were greeted with an unpleasant surprise. Poor Lucy had gotten carsick. 😢

Goldfield itself is all dust, dirt, and desert rock—very much in keeping with its old west vibe. We weren’t sure how Lucy would handle it, but she did pretty well. She’s still figuring out this whole leash-walking thing, but she did manage to explore some of the town with us.

We stopped for coffee and split a giant chocolate chip cookie at a little wooden table overlooking the breathtaking Superstition Mountains. With the view, the breeze, and Lucy snoozing under the table, it felt like a perfect little pause in the day.

Next up was the train ride—something neither Ken nor I had done before, even though we’ve visited Goldfield many times. It was a short, relaxing ride with charming narration and views of the town from a different angle. After that, I set my sights on the zip line! Ken passed on this one (his back was acting up), but I wasn’t going to miss it. I’d done it once before and loved it. The view from the top was spectacular, and that whoosh back down? Exhilarating!

On the drive home, I held Lucy in my lap. She seemed more at ease that way—no motion sickness, just sleepy snuggles.

It was a fun, dusty, slightly adventurous day. We’ll head back again when the temps drop a bit more. And next time, I’ll pack a little something to help Lucy’s tummy handle those winding desert roads.

What did you do this weekend?

Eydie