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 We
all go through life either with a partner or looking
for one. I met my partner in 1959, while I was
working at the Quarter Circle U Ranch.
It was certainly a primitive life at the time,
punching cows for William T. Barkley. We had few of
the amenities associated with modern life; it was
like living back in the 1880s. I was often isolated
from civilization because of road condition or no
vehicle to drive. Early in May of 1959, I was
severely injured by a really mean range bull. I
spent about 60 days in the old Southside Hospital at
Hibbert and Main streets in Mesa. When I was
released from the hospital I returned to the ranch.
The Barkley's had no real use for an injured cowboy
who couldn’t work, and it required almost a year for
me to recover from various surgical procedures
associated with my injuries.
 Around
October of that year, I met a beautiful beautician
named Sharon Jarvis who worked at Ann’s Beauty Shop
in Mesa. It wasn’t love at first sight, but it was
friends at first sight. As I slowly recovered from
my injuries, Sharon was there to be my friend. After
I healed a little we began to hike the many trails
in the Superstition Wilderness. Sharon became “My
Valentine” for the first time in February 14, 1960.
We were married on June 23, 1961.
Sharon and I fell in love while wandering the trails
of the Superstition Wilderness Area almost 50 years
ago. My father always said I would be rewarded by
the mountain in some way. As it turns out, it
required me almost fifty years to realize the real
treasure he was talking about. I should have
recognized this treasure 50 years ago, but I didn’t.
As Valentine’s Day approaches I reminisce just how
much I love my wife. I know you are sitting there
and wondering how I can make this a story about the
Superstition Mountains. Believe me I can.
Sharon has always been devoted to me. She has loved
me with all her heart and provided me with a safe
haven from the troubles of the world. She was a fine
mother for our two children. Our children never
wanted for love or material things growing up. She
was always there for them. Today we are still
together and deeply in love. She is certainly my
wonderful Valentine and I am so lucky to have her.
I promised you I would make this a Superstition
story. When Sharon and I got married we didn’t have
much money. We probably didn’t have $20 between us.
I told her I was going on a hike into the
Superstition Mountains with a couple of Dutch
hunters on the July 4 weekend. She asked to make the
trip with us. I explained to her it would be hot;
there would be rattlesnakes, and a very rough trail.
We planned on hiking up over Miner’s Needle
Summit then down into La Barge Canyon. We then
planned on following La Barge Canyon to Canyon Lake.
One of the hikers, Ronnie, had arranged for his
brother to pick us up at Canyon Lake about 7 p.m.
This was a one-day planned hike. Sharon and I were
both 23 years old and in great shape. I had fully
recovered from my injuries received at the Quarter
Circle U Ranch.
Sharon, Ronnie, his cousin and I began our hike at 4
a.m. on July 4, 1961. Ronnie and his cousin were
convinced the Lost Dutchman Mine was located
somewhere along the route we planned to hike, but
they provided me with no information. We arrived in
Miner’s Needle Summit by 7 a.m. and could tell it
was going to be a warm day. We hiked over to Bluff
Springs trough and then down Bluff Springs Canyon to
La Barge Canyon. We arrived at La Barge Canyon by 9
a.m. and continued on down the canyon toward Music
Springs and Charlebois Springs. We found plenty of
water that July. If we hadn’t, we would have
certainly perished in 109 degree temperatures.
Sharon kept up with me and was determined to be no
problem. Actually she was never a problem on the
hike. I really admired her tenacity. I knew I had
married the right woman who was truly my “Valentine”
forever.
We crossed Marsh Valley and moved down La Barge
Canyon toward the Lower Box. We also found plenty of
water in the Lower Box of La Barge Canyon. Ronnie
was growing extremely fatigued from the hot
temperatures. As we emerged from the Lower Box of La
Barge Canyon, Ronnie told me he had a heart
condition. We still had three miles to go before we
reached Canyon Lake. He complained of chest pains
and said we had to rest.
We rested for about an hour in the shade at Chuck
Aylor’s old camp in La Barge Canyon. We then hiked
on down La Barge to the confluence of Boulder
Canyon. As we approached the first signs of water
from Canyon Lake we realized we would have to climb
another mountain to arrive at the Apache Trail. We
were sitting around debating whether or not to swim
about a half mile along the shore to save climbing
another mountain.
Sharon finally looked at us, said goodbye and
starting hiking toward the summit of the mountain
immediately south of Canyon Lake.
She was about 300 yards up the slope when we decided
we couldn’t swim that far without assistance of some
kind. We filled our canteens and began the hike. We
followed Sharon all the way to the Apache Trail and
the Boulder Creek Bridge. None of us could believe
the stamina and tenacity Sharon had. Few women,
under those conditions, would have followed her
husband over such trails to make a statement about
devotion and love.
Ronnie's brother was waiting for us. The hike ended
on a very positive note. Ronnie didn't find the Lost
Dutchman's Mine, but he thought he was close. I
found the treasure of the Superstition Mountain that
day, and could now celebrate Valentine's Day with
her for the rest of my life.
Yes, Sharon was special then and is still special
today. We still ride our horses and hike the trails
of the Superstition Wilderness Area together. I am
so proud to be that person Sharon loves so much.
I want to wish all of you a very happy Valentine's
Day, and remind all of you to tell that special
person in your life how much you love and care for
them.
On Valentine's Day, do something special for that
special person. |
