Jerome - Arizona’s Ghost Town
Jerome Arizona, pic by Open Sky Media
Jerome, Arizona, also known as “America’s Most Vertical City” and “Largest Ghost Town in America”, was founded in 1876. The town sits at an elevation of 5,200 feet, at the top of Cleopatra Peak. It rests above the largest copper mine in Arizona, which at its peak produced over three million pounds of copper per month. The mine closed in 1953, and most of the population (15,000 at its highest) left the area. However, about a hundred inhabitants remained, determined to see a renaissance of their beloved town’s popularity. Interest in this “ghost town” gradually grew - in 1967 Jerome was designated a National Historic District by the federal government. Today and it now supports a thriving artist and tourist destination, and is home to about 450 permanent residents.
The unique history of the town has been preserved, as closely as possible, by the dedicated citizens. Many of the buildings in use today were the same buildings built in the mid to late 1890’s. Many buildings have been restored or are scheduled to be restored. The town was originally placed on a 30-degree slope on the mountainside, which has made for some interesting local landmarks - including the town’s original (and very popular) jail, which has slid some 230 feet from its original location to where it rests today.
Ruins in Jerome, pic taken by the toe stubber
Several bed and breakfasts support the visiting tourists, some in the heart of town and some in the more secluded outskirts. The Jerome Grand Hotel was once the hospital that supported the mine. It was closed in 1950 and sat vacant for 44 years until it was bought and converted into a hotel. As you can imagine, there have been plenty of reports of supernatural activities by the visitors of the hotel.
The Hotel Connor, pic by Open Sky Media
The town has excellent restaurants, including the celebrated Jerome Winery, and saloons replete with colorful stories from their long histories. Shopping for locally created arts and crafts, antiques, souvenirs and jewelry keep folks coming back year after year, from as near as Phoenix and Flagstaff, and as far away as Europe. Jerome has been described as a “photographer’s dream”, with the dramatic desert setting providing beautiful backdrop for authentic “wild west” buildings.
Local attractions include tours of the Gold King Mine and Ghost Town, the Jerome Historical Society Museum, nearby Cliff Castle Casino, and excursions on the Verde Canyon Railroad.
Gold King Mine and Ghost Town, pic by Open Sky Media
Jerome is located about forty-five minutes from Sedona and Prescott via the scenic route of Highway 89A. Phoenix is about two hours via Interstate Highway I-17. Flagstaff is about an hour and a half away, either via I-17 or 89A through Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon.
The Arizona Grand Resort - You Really Should Go!
Fountain at the Arizona Grand Resort
The Arizona Grand Resort, located in Phoenix, Arizona, just completed a 52 million dollar renovation. This AAA Four Diamond Preferred all-suite hotel is offering the “Grand Opening Summer Splash”, from Thursday May 21st through Monday September 7th, with rates starting at $129 per night. Visitors who stay for two or more nights receive a $50 gift card that can be used toward any of the numerous resort services and amenities.
The Arizona Grand Resort has something for everyone in the family. The full service spa and salon can be enjoyed after a round on the resort’s 18-hole golf course. The Lobby features a bar and grill, and a marketplace with everything you might need, and a few things you might just want. Aunt Chiladas Mexican Restaurant is within walking distance, and the Phantom Horse Grill and Sports Bar is on the resort property. For the fitness minded, a 20,000 square foot athletic club is available, complete with 45 fitness classes offered per week. The 17,000 acre South Mountain preserve is right at the back door, with 60 miles of trails for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. The Oasis Water Park, rated among the top 10 resort water parks in the nation by The Travel Channel, has water slides, a “river ride”, and an enormous wave pool. During the “Island Nights at the Oasis” visitors can enjoy a “dive-in” movie on the big screen behind the pool.
The Arizona Grand Resort
The Arizona Grand Resort is located just six miles from the Phoenix Sky Harbor airport, right at the Baseline Road exit off of I-10. It’s a vacation destination in and of itself, and even if the summer months are fantastically hot, the resort will help keep you cool and entertained.
Arizona’s Kartchner Caverns
Kartchner Caverns Entrance
Kartchner Caverns State Park is located in Benson, Arizona. The “live” cave system was discovered in 1974, and extraordinary lengths have been achieved to preserve the fragile state of the cave’s environment.
Upon arriving at the park, visitors first enjoy a “Discovery Center” where they can peruse displays showing the different formations, minerals, and photographs of the original expeditions into the cave. A 15-minute video is played while people await their tour to begin. It describes how two intrepid amature spelunkers discovered an opening the size of a stretched-out coat hanger, wiggled their way along a shaft 200-feet long on their bellies, and discovered one of the most important series of caves in recent years.
This cave is “living”, meaning it still supports bats, and is still “wet” (limestone formations are still forming drop by drop). The explorers knew that once the word got out that the caves exist, they (the caves, that is, not the explorers) would be converged upon and killed in short order. So they, along with the Kartchner family (the landowners) appealed to the State government and made it into a State Park. They kept the modifications as subtle as possible to preserve the caves as they were when they were discovered. As it is, 85% of the cave network has never had a human foot upon it.
Karchner Caverns Formations
Once the tour guide gathers the group together at the Discovery Center, everyone boards a tram which winds around the back of the complex and up a trail to the side of a hill. A path approaches a set of large metal doors, which when opened reveal a short passage and another set of large metal doors. The system is kind of like an air lock, which keeps the caves at sixty-eight degrees and 99% humidity. The tropical conditions are integral to the health of the cave system.
The first cavern is called “The Rotunda”. The ceiling soars above, and drips with stalactites, “soda straw” formations, and “bacon” formations. Stalagmites reach up from the floor, stretching to meet its mate descending from the cave ceiling. It takes a formation a thousand years to grow one inch - the formations in The Rotunda are ten and twenty feet long (or high). A path winds down to the cave floor, which is covered in very deep mud. Apparently when contractors were working in the area, they pushed a 20-foot long piece of PVC pipe into the mud, and didn’t touch bottom. The trail through the mud that the original explorers used is still the only one that is used today.
The celebrated “Throne Room” is one of the most dramatic sights in the cave system. Visitors are directed through the dimness to a theater type seating area, and the tour guide’s hushed voice describes what it was like for the first explorers to first step into this cavern. A vivid picture is painted of hours of struggle through tight spaces and mud, and a burgeoning sense of anticipation as they finally broke through the last few feet of passage, and saw…
The lights come up, and the visitors find themselves facing an enormous cavern. Directly in the center of the cavern is one of the largest limestone columns in the world, called Kubla Kahn. Six stories high, twenty feet in diameter, it soars and flows and towers above the cavern floor. Blue, cream, butterscotch, white, black, pink - sparkling with mineral deposits. All around it are other formations reaching from the floor and ceiling. Soft music plays Native American chants, and the lighting is timed with it to backlight, highlight and shadow various areas of the cavern. Visitors sit in awe for far too short of a period of time, before the tour guide leads them back out of the caves.
This describes one of the extraordinary tours of the cave system - that of the Rotunda and Throne Room, which opened in 1999 and is available all year round. Visitors can also go on a tour of the “Big Room”, another section of the cave system that was opened in 2003, which is only available from October through April annually (I believe because of the bat migration). Each tour lasts for about an hour and a half. Children aged six and under are not allowed on the “Big Room” tour.
The park operates from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. all year round. Reservations for cave tours are mandatory and should be made at least a month in advance of your planned visit. Children six and under are admitted for free, prices for children 7-14 range from $9.95 to $12.95, and adult prices range from $18.95 to $22.95. Prices depend on which tour you take.
From June 1st through September 4th 2009, discounted admission is being offered for the Rotunda/Throne Room tour. So take advantage of that! Even if the temperature is over a hundred degrees outside, it’s always cool and comfortable inside the cave.
The Phoenix Desert Botanical Gardens
My husband and I spent a wonderful, leisurely afternoon yesterday at the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix, Arizona. Despite the 90 degree heat, we managed to stay comfortable among the shady lanes, blessed with a lovely breeze and a cool glass of lemonade.
We were happy to discover that our visit coincided with two extremely popular exhibitions currently on display in the Gardens. One was the Butterfly Pavilion, which runs annually from March through May, and which keeps us coming back every year. It adds an extra $3 to our general admission (we’re not Garden members, otherwise it would be free), but it’s always worth it.
The pavilion is accessed through an “airlock” so none of the inhabitants can escape. With a gentle warning from the administrators we were instructed not to touch any of the butterflies, but to allow them to come and go as they pleased (and sometimes they were “pleased” to land on us).
The other exhibition currently on display throughout the park is the collection of Chihuly Glass Sculptures. This exhibit has been present in the Gardens since November 22, 2008, and runs through May 31st, 2009. They truly add a unique and beautiful element to the lovely features of the Gardens.
The use of such vibrant colors against the desert landscape was truly dramatic.
There was another fine example of exquisite glass artwork around every corner.
The Gardens are lovely at any time of year, though they truly shine in the spring months when all the desert plants are blooming.
The Desert Botanical Gardens are part of a park complex that includes the Phoenix Zoo and Papago Park. Admission for non-members is $15.00 for adults, $5.00 for children under twelve, and $7.50 for students aged 13-18. Self-guided audio tours are available for an additional $3, and special exhibits and events (such as the extremely popular Spring Jazz in the Garden concert series) may also be an additional charge.
Whether you’re looking to create a unique family memory, or you want to spend a day in solitude and quiet contemplation, or you wish for a romantic outing to share with a loved one, the Desert Botanical Gardens are an excellent choice to wile away a sunny afternoon.
Wupatki Pueblo Ruins in Arizona
In north-central Arizona, around the 11th century, the Sunset Crater erupted, leaving a layer of volcanic ash over everything, which led to increased agricultural viability, believe it or not.
Sunset Crater
The soil’s ability to grow better and retain water better led to an influx of settlers in this area. These people came to be known as the Ancient Pueblo People, and they built dwellings made out of flat red stones pasted together with mortar.
Wupatki Ruins in Arizona
Everyone lived in one big building made up of many, many rooms. The Wupatki settlement is believed to the largest and the tallest of the area from that time period.
Wupatki Ruins
Also on site is a geological blowhole, where air is blown out at large pressures from caves below ground.
Ancient ruins, a blowhole and a volcanic crater, all within range of each other. This sounds like a must see kind of place!
Montezuma Castle National Monument, Camp Verde, Arizona
by Barbara Ann Weibel at Hole In The Donut
Of the numerous well-preserved Native American ruins found in north central Arizona, the ancient cliff dwelling found at Montezuma Castle National Monument is the most spectacular. Built into a recess in a white limestone cliff about 70 feet above the ground, this 20 room, 5-story structure was occupied as early as 1200 a.d., until the inhabitants mysteriously departed from the Verde Valley more than two hundred years later.
The 900 year old cliff dwellings at Montezuma Castle National Monument. Photo by Barbara Weibel at HoleInTheDonut.com
Believing the prehistoric cliff house to be Aztec in origin, the first settlers to the area - a ragged collection of miners and soldiers who arrived in the 1860’s - named it after the Aztec emperor, Montezuma. We now know that this unique dwelling was constructed by the Sinagua Indian peoples using locally available limestone rocks stacked and held together with clay, much like laying bricks on a modern house. Once the construction of the outer walls was completed, an adobe plaster was used to coat and seal the exterior. The Sinagua cultivated a variety of crops in the valley that spread out beneath their cliff house, using water that flowed year-round through Beaver Creek to irrigate the crops. No one knows for sure why the Sinagua abandoned their home, although some experts speculate that a severe drought dried up the creek, forcing the tribe to pack up and leave.
A close up look at the structure, courtesy of the National Park Service
After being abandoned, the dwelling survived for hundreds of years in the hot, dry climate found in this part of Arizona and only began to deteriorate when it became a popular tourist destination. Early visitors were allowed to climb a series of ladders up the side of the limestone cliffs and access the interior of the structure, resulting in extensive damage. Thankfully, the park service stopped allowing access in 1951. Visitors are now limited to viewing the ruins from the valley floor, where a self-guided, 1/3-mile loop trail leads past the cliff dwelling, through a grove of old-growth sycamores, and along Beaver Creek, one of only a few perennial streams in Arizona.
Montezuma Castle National Monument is open 364 days a year (closed Christmas Day), from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. June through August and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. during other months. In addition to the self-guiding trail, an on-site museum includes exhibits and artifacts depicting the lifestyle, history and culture of the Sinaguan Indians who built Montezuma Castle. Adults pay a $5 entrance fee and children under 16 are free. Although no accommodations are available at the site, hotels and motels are located in nearby Camp Verde (5 miles), and in Cottonwood (19 miles).
The Natural Mystic of Sedona, Arizona
The red, sandstone buttes of Sedona are picture perfect.
There’s no escaping the overwhelming awe one experiences during a visit to Sedona, Arizona. The majestic red sandstone buttes in contrast with a vast blue sky combined with the mystical aura of the region have been a place of wonder since the days of the Wild West.
Take in the tranquility of Sedona's landscape in a private, creek side cottage.
Today, the cowboys and Indians of the past have been replaced by throngs of tourists eager to experience one of Mother Nature’s most remarkable landscapes. Whether enjoying an exhilarating off-road adventure, exploring many of the area’s hot Vortex spots, shopping for one-of-a-kind gifts in its abundant gift shops and art galleries, or tasting the unique flavors of its many dining options, Sedona has everything necessary for an exciting family vacation.
There are many places to stay during a Sedona Vacation, ranging from the small, no-frills motel to the luxury resort and spa. One of our family’s favorites is the quaint L’Auberge De Sedona Resort. Nestled at the bottom of a cliff and situated on the banks of Oak Creek, guests are invited to stay in The Lodge, The Creek House or in a one or two-bedroom private cottage. The cottages, in particular, offer an opportunity for guests to truly experience the natural beauty of the region from their private front porches.
Restaurant on Oak Creek offers an incredible fine dining experience.
L’Auberge De Sedona is also home to one of our favorite restaurants, the famous Restaurant on Oak Creek. Hugely popular with visitors and locals alike, the restaurant offers an unparallel outdoor dining experience along the trickling creek side. Its seasonal menu of French-inspired American cuisine is an outstanding epicurean treat and its vintage wine selection is superb. Wine Spectator has awarded the restaurant a “Best of Award of Excellence” for 14 years in a row. It’s a “can’t miss” during a Sedona vacation.
Tlaquepaque Village
A great place to find a variety of dining and shopping options is the nearby Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village?. It’s always on our list of places to visit. Resembling an authentic Mexican village, Tlaquepaque is an epicenter for the Sedona experience, with eclectic live entertainment, artisans and flavors all in one beautiful, natural setting. If you love Mexican food, a “must try” is El Rincon. Their food is influenced by the Navajo and is “muy delicioso.”
Tlaquepaque is also a great starting point for an off-road tour of the area’s grandiose landscape. Sedona Off Road Adventures offers Hummer and Jeep tours at the Village as well as from The Adventure Store located in the Uptown Mall. Many tour options are available and the vehicles can accommodate groups of up to 12 at a time and always offer an adrenaline-filled trip. Off road tours are very popular, so reservations are encouraged. Also, don’t forget your camera as the panoramic views are absolutely breathtaking. You’ll want to capture the experience.
Get up close and personal with the Sedona landscape with an exhilirating jeep tour.
Sedona Off Road Adventures, as well as other tour operators, also offer wilderness horseback tours as well as mountain bikes rentals for the extreme outdoor enthusiasts.
While in Sedona, you can also hike the rugged landscape in search of the area’s many purported spiritual Vortices (Vortexes). Sedona has been labeled as a spiritual center for many generations, because power emanates from vortexes producing some of the most remarkable energy on the planet. This energy is the reason why Sedona is home to a lot of people that are “on the path” of spiritual growth. It is also the reason that a large New Age community and tourism industry has sprung up in the Sedona area, bringing with it a variety of spiritual practices and alternative healing modalities. Sedona is now often referred to as a spiritual Disneyland. Popular Vortex spots include Bell Rock, Airport Mesa, Cathedral Rock, Boynton Canyon, and Schnebly Hill. Maps of these locations can be found at all of Sedona’s New Age shops.
If you do decide to hoof it into the Sedona wilderness, as always, please take proper precautions, like packing plenty of water, a map and a cell phone. You wouldn’t want to become a permanent part of the landscape.
Finally, if the weather’s warm and you need to cool off, take the family over to the famous Slide Rock State Park. There the Oak Creek has transformed the red rocks into a natural, slippery water chute. You can take a ride down the chutes, sunbath, wade or swim in the cool waters. It’s a blast.
Getting To Sedona
Sedona is located approximately 115 miles north of Phoenix. Take Interstate 17 North to Highway 179 West. Travel time is just under two hours. Flagstaff is about 30 miles north of Sedona. The best, and most scenic route to take from there is Highway 89A South. The route will take approximately 45 minutes. And it’s a 288-mile, nealry five hour drive from Las Vegas.
The city also has a small airport (SEZ) accommodating private aircraft and offering charter flight, scenic air tours as well as car and jeep rentals.
Photos courtesy of the City of Sedona, L’Auberge De Sedona, Tlaquepaque Village and Sedona Off Road Adventures.
Ten of America’s Favorite Baseball Stadiums
Nothing says America better than baseball! Get a hot dog and beer and you’re ready to go.
Wrigley Field Home of the Chicago Cubs- Wrigley Field, Chicago Cubs
According to Obama in an interview with ESPN’s Stuart Scott, Wrigley Field is all about beer and beautiful people who aren’t serious about baseball. Prove Obama wrong and go to Wrigley Field to seriously watch a Cubs game.
Fenway Park Photo by charliekwalker@flickr - Fenway Park, Boston Red Sox
“America’s most beloved ballpark,” Fenway Park is truly a classic. It’s much the same as it was the day it opened on April 20, 1912. Go see what the Green Monster is all about, and why it’s so difficult to make a home run.
The New Yankee Stadium - Yankee Stadium, New York Yankees
The new Yankee Stadium, just north of the original in the Bronx, will open on April 3 and 4, for an exhibition game against the Chicago Cubs. No longer will Yankee Stadium be referred to as “The House that Ruth Built.”
Waiting for a home run in McCovey Cove at AT&T Park - AT&T Park, San Francisco Giants
It may be owned by AT&T but fans still call it Pac Bell Park. Watch Portuguese water dogs fetch home runs as they splash into McCovey Cove. And who is that pitching for the Giants? Why, it’s 45-year-old Randy Johnson, still throwing fastballs up to 95 mph.
Chase Field Home of the Arizona Diamondbacks - Chase Field, Arizona Diamondbacks
Where but in Arizona can you have a pool party at a major league baseball park? Reserve the Ridenow Powersports Pool suite which includes a private bar and plasma TV. pool rental comes with 35 game tickets, five parking passes, a beach towel and baseball cap for each guest.
The pristine Safeco Field in Seattle - Safeco Field, Seattle Mariners
The Kid is back! Seattleites are enthusiastically welcoming the return of Ken Griffey, Jr. And you don’t have to worry about wind, rain, or snow when you go to Safeco Field in Seattle. The one-of-a-kind retractable roof covers the ballpark without enclosing it.
PETCO Park with spring flowers - PETCO Park, San Diego Padres
Location, location, location–that’s the beauty of PETCO Park. Panoramic views of San Diego Bay can distract you from the game. And when the last out is made, the Gaslamp Quarter is right there with its huge selection of restaurants and pulsating nightlife.
Oriole fans in Baltimore - Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore Orioles
See the Orioles for free on your birthday. The Orioles are giving away tickets to fans during their birthday months–with the exception of the Yankees and Red Sox games. The season starts on April 6 at home against the Yankees. No freebies that day!
PNC Park and the Pittsburgh Skyline - PNC Park, Pittsburgh Pirates
Sitting alonside the Allegheny River, PNC Park has sweeping vistas of the downtown skyline and the riverfront. The Pirates have been Pittsburgh’s team for 115 years. That’s reason enough for celebration.
Activities around Coors Field - Coors Field, Colorado Rockies
Did you know that at the mile-high Coors Field the ball travels nine percent farther than at sea level? The row of purple seats twenty rows up on the upper deck and six rows from the top is exactly one-mile above sea level. Watch the Colorado Rockies play with a view of their namesake mountains in the background.