Well, let me clarify that. I like practical jokes as long as no one gets hurt, or no one feels they’ve been victimized by a mean spirited prank.

One of the local weeklies has created some classic pranks. In 1999, they ran a story about the Arm the Homeless Coalition on its front page as an April 1 gag. It was so convincing that numerous radio stations, the Associated Press and even 60 Minutes II fell for the gag.

In a prior year, the same paper announced that a scientist had finally figured out the approximate location of the Lost Dutchman’s gold. According to the scientist, the gold was buried under the entrance of the largest store at the upscale Biltmore Fashion Park. The article then said that the owners of the mall had agreed to allow any treasure hunters to dig up the floor of the mall in exchange for a share of the found gold.
Amazingly, a large crowd showed up at the mall’s main entrance bright and early the next day, most carrying shovels and picks.

Wow, there’s so much more I could say on this subject, but I see that it’s now official April 1 here, so that means I’ve got a few things to do before everyone wakes up in the morning.

I don’t remember the first time I saw the Hayden flour mill. I know that it has stood, like a sentinel, on the banks of the Salt River for eons. I know that it’s fallen into disrepair, but I’ve still always wondered what it was like on the inside, but was too chicken to find out.

Thankfully, someone much braver than I decided to go exploring. The site has several exterior and interior shots that provide a unique perspective on the place.

PLEASE NOTE: The person that visited the mill says that they cut some chain link fence to enter the mill. I do not condone such actions, nor do I advocate that anyone do this.