Picket Post Mansion's Awesome Stone Walkway

Picket Post Mansion has the most magnificent stone walkway along it's western edge. The stone wall was built by many hands in the early 1920's and surrounds the Mansion in a most creative and beautiful manner. The stones were embedded among the rocks on which the Mansion was built. It is believed that Colonel Boyce Thompson brought over a master brick and stone layer from Italy to design and supervise this amazing venture.

As resident volunteer hosts at the Picket Post Mansion of Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park, we have been pruning and tugging at the many overgrown vines on the rock wall and accompanying trellises to display the true beauty of the walkway.
We find that there are crevices in the rocks where small cacti have been planted and in one section, a cacti garden was built to enhance the curvature of the wall and add plant life along the walkway. We were delighted to uncover this unique stone garden from the multitude of vines that were covering it.

There are a number 0f small sitting areas along the stone walkway for the frequent pauses of conversation and relaxation that must have occurred with Colonel Thompson and his guests. One sitting area is enhanced with a huge rock water fountain. The water must have fallen down the rocks at least 200 feet from the Mansion floor to the walkway. A grapefruit tree has also been planted near the waterfall to enjoy this shady spot as one sits and cools off. It must of been a very fine way to spend a hot afternoon. Although the waterfall is no longer in use and the grapefruit tree is in need of pruning, there is a quietness in this spot that speaks of times past. As we uncover plants and rocks that have been forsaken , we know that we are bringing new life to an old house and yard that was so superbly put together.

As one gentleman so aptly put it as he gazed at the gardens carved out of rock and the walkways made out of stones "This is the work of human hands, not machines. You can sense their presence and feel the difference."

We are glad that the Arizona State Parks reclaimed this heritage property and plan to bring it back to it's glory. We love having the opportunity of unveiling the plants and rocks as we work on the Picket Post Mansion Walkway.

Picket Post Mansion Discoveries

One of the best things about being the first resident volunteer groundskeeper at Picket Post Mansion is the opportunity to discover delightful beauties under the overgrown vines and bushes.

One day in December while pruning along the west stone wall , I decided to walk to the front of the Mansion and look at the overgrown vines that were streaming down the main entrance. Once there, I was quite surprized when I saw a large ceramic picture embedded in the stone above the front door. As I came closer, I thought I recognized the heads of Mary and Joseph and wondered if this could possibly be a nativity scene.

The next day with long handled pruners that stretch out at least 12 feet, I balanced myself on the front steps of the Mansion and began to cut the vines until a beautiful Nativity Scene appeared. It is believed that this artwork was made in Italy and placed on thePicket Post Mansion wall when it was built by Boyce Thompson in 1928.

I was thrilled to now see what Boyce Thompson had chosen for his entrance and thought what perfect timing to have discovered this spiritual treasure a few days before Christmas.

Javelina at Water Fountain

We were excited when we got the call in August from Boyce Thompson Arboretum, near Superior Arizona, asking us to volunteer at the newly acquired Picket Post Mansion for the winter (we had applied 8 months prior). We love the desert and being from Canada the winter warmth is certainly a bonus.

Being a resident volunteer at Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park is wonderful! We live in nature, are part of a great crew and work at a variety of tasks in an effort to make the park experience more enjoyable for visitors. Seriously, how could you ask for anything better than that?

After we were settled at Boyce Thompson Arboretum, other resident volunteers and staff occasionally inquired if we had seen any of the javelinas yet. We had not! In kindness, the staff helpfully told us where the most recent sightings of the javelenas had been, in hopes that we might see one. Although we followed all of their suggestions they were to no avail. We pretty much stopped looking.

I love to walk, and certain gardens of the arboretum have become favorites of mine. I often stroll the paths in the Demonstration Garden because I admire the tasteful use of trellises, benches and fountains. This demonstration garden features low water-use plants from around the world selected for urban landscaping.

It was not unusual for me on a quiet day after hiking the Arboretum trails to pause on the bench next to the fountain in the Demonstration Garden.

What was unusual, as I enjoyed the serenity of nature and the sound of running water from the fountain, was to look up and see a javelina enter the garden. I had seen enough pictures to know exactly who was joining me.

I wondered briefly whether I was actually safe with a 40 pound wild javelina only 30 feet away, but decided to stay very quiet, and wait to see what would happen next.

The javelina ambled about 10 feet closer to me and approached the fountain. Without hesitation he stuck his snout in the fresh clean water.

He drank...quite fearlessly I might add, only glancing in my direction when he paused for breath. It felt like a divine moment to me---a chance encounter when time and space are wrapped in wonder. I sat very very still and the only sound in the garden emanated from the shutter of my camera.

The javelina finished drinking, stepped back from the fountain, and casually walked away. As I watched him leave, I was pleased when he stopped, and swung his head around as if to say goodbye before continuing on.

I sat back on the bench, still amazed and once more alone in the garden. I then remembered to check the pictures on my camera to see what I had gotten. I was thrilled to find a close-up shot of the javelina drinking from the water fountain and yes, what a bonus, it was even in focus. I couldn't wait to show the pictures and tell the park crew about my awesome encounter. What laughter it brought.
As I hiked the trail home to the Picketpost Mansion grounds that afternoon, I felt excited and thankful for such an extraordinary first sighting of a javelina. I was also glad that the Demonstration Garden, on that day, happened to be a favorite spot for both the javelina and myself.

Now the park staff and fellow hosts are inquiring whether we have seen the wild turkeys that are back in Arizona and hanging out at the Arboretum
So far, we say no......