I have to admit that I think I am about 'toured out'. I feel the need to spend more than two days in one spot with nothing on the agenda. Looking ahead to Lake Havasu and the weather forecast for the week, I'm thinking that will be the perfect place to do this!
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| "Hitchhiker Plant' |
Today's side trip from Flagstaff. We enjoyed the drive along Hwy 89-A to Sedona. This road is a series of hairpin curves through forest and red rock canyon. Very pretty! Do not attempt this with an RV! Sedona is nestled in the middle of all this beauty and has plenty touristy little shops. This time we were prepared for the lower elevation and the higher temps. It was a good 10 degrees warmer there! We just drove through the city. No stops. Been there, done that.
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| Hwy 89A Drive to Sedona |
We continued along Hwy-89A through Cottonwood and stopped at the Tuzigoot National Monument. Here there are remnants of a Sinagua village (or pueblo) that crowns the top of a high ridge. The pueblo dates back to the 1100-1400's. There has been plenty of reconstruction but you can see how the rooms would have been all clustered together. It originally housed about 50 people but as refugee farmers fled here from nearby drought areas, more rooms were added and about 200 people would have lived there. Entry was by way of ladders through openings in the wooden roofs.
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| Tuzigoot pueblo |
We drove through the historic town of Clarkdale. There were lots of antique shops and unique looking restaurants plus many of the original old homes from the early 1900's. We were about to make the loop and head home but at the last minute we decided to check out Jerome. Our map labelled Jerome as a "ghost town". Am I glad we went there! This was by far the highlight of the trip for me. What a cool community! First of all, it is located high on top of "Cleopatra Hill". It sits above what was once the largest copper mine in Arizona producing 3 million pounds of copper per month.
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| Copper Mine smelter |
Ron toured the Douglas Mansion. Douglas designed the house as a hotel for mining officials and investors as well as for his own family. He also built the "Little Daisy Hotel" as a dorm for the miners. The concrete structure still stands. It has now been remodelled into a private residence. Wow!
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| Douglas Mansion built in 1916 |
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| The miners dorms - now a private residence! |
Jerome was known as the 'wickedest town in the west'. At one time was the 4th largest city in the state. When the mines shut down in the 1950's there were only about 100 people living there. It became known as a 'ghost town'. Now it is a bustling artistic community of about 500, with plenty of arts, crafts, gift shops, museums, restaurants, bed and breakfasts, etc.
It is SO interesting to wind around the sharp curves and see all the neat old buildings and shops. Many haven't changed externally in the last 100 years. They are scattered about the mountain top and hanging over edges. Some have actually slid down the 30 degree incline of the mountain side. To the amusement of many, one such building was the town jail. We missed seeing that one, but I read where it makes for interesting visiting today.
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| narrow twisting streets |
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| garage built in to the side of the mountain |
Jerome was SO busy with tourists. People crowded the sidewalks and it was difficult to find parking. The mountainside was a steady stream of cars coming and going. Anyway, enough said. But if you are ever in the area, it is most definitely worth a visit!!
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| looking back at Jerome |
Someone came by doing a survey on State Parks and Ron happily provided some opinions and ideas. That 10 minutes of time gave us a free night of camping. We will make use of that free night tonight. We had thought we might then take advantage of the starting October 1 deal where you can get the 'pay for 5 get 2 nights free', however this spot is taken. I guess we will check out Parker area this afternoon before making a decision.
