I actually like the story of the Peralta Stones (PS), all of them.
I like the original story where Travis accidentally stumbled onto the Stones on the side of the highway.
I like the story where the Mexican miners buried them for future direction to their hidden mines.
I also enjoy the stories about Travis carving the stones himself out in Texas (my personal favorite).
I even kind of like all the side stories about the testing by professors and FBI agents as to the age and authenticity of the PS.
All these different tales add a great deal to the myth of the Lost Dutchman, and to the mystery of the Superstition itself.
I don't really mind the Stoners who posts that no one but them are smart enough to understand the stones. How their superior intellect gives them a special insight unobtainable to the mass of 'flies' buzzing around. More power to you, believe whatever you want.
However, for the sake of some new Dutchman hunters, I do think an occasional warning about the PS doesn't hurt.
Remember, a map of any kind which does not allow users to find the objective after fifty years of study is worse than useless. Was the map designed to be so clever that only one or two 'intellectually superior' hunters could divine it's hidden secrets, or is it just fake?
Figure the odds and make your own call.
I'm torn, because as I said, I do like the PS stories.
They help bring in more tourists (and their dollars) to the Apache Junction economy. I'm all for that. The tourist enjoy it, and so do the merchants. Nothing wrong with that, great fun. Exciting to think about, can lead to good clean healthy outdoor activity. I have nothing against those who want to believe that everything concerning the Stones is 'rock hard' fact. I enjoy reading their theories. However, I do occasionally feel compelled to make comments that I probably shouldn't. What others want to believe is their business.
I've said before if I win the lottery I'd love to open an RV park next to the Superstition. Could have a big nightly bon fire where Stoners and others Dutch Hunters could come spin their tales for the visiting tourists. Would be great fun. Maybe we could set aside a few spaces as a retirement village for old Dutch Hunters who never quite found their bonanza. I can see it now, a nice red barn and corrals for an outfitter to work out of. A bunk house and list of guides willing (for a fee) to guide the latest generation of seekers into the Superstition Wilderness. How about a nice bookstore and T-shirt shop? Cold beer and ice tea? Maybe even a swimming pool to cool off those returning from their hot trips back into that mystical 1800's country? Oh yeah, I can just picture it!
Sarge, I can see you running such a place, you should do it!