Up and at 'em today. Off for a road trip. Packed an overnite bag, too. Stopped for gas and on the way before 9 am. Little over 2 hour drive up to Cottonwood and on to Clarkdale to catch the Verde Canyon Railroad. Got there around 11. Had a sandwich there and waited to board our coach-Tuscon-for our 3.5 hour ride. Next year the railroad will celebrate 100 years in the valley. Copper was mined and smelted in Clarkdale. It is a standard guage railway. Once we had our safety procedures, we were able to go out on the open deck rail car. The route starts at milepost 38 and continues down the canyon to milepost 18.5 in Perkinsville. there was a tape/cd review of what was happening along the various mileposts, as well as the host in the Tuscon car and the outdoor guide. It wasn't long until we spotted a bald eagle in an old cottonwood tree. Didn't catch it digitally, but in my mind. Spotted another one later on who was just sitting on the rocks across the river. Also saw the Sinagua (without water) Indian ruins. Spring is just starting along the river-trees are starting to leaf out. Also a few wildflowers in bloom. More rock formations as we went further down the canyon. They have such imaginations-like looking at clouds and seeing something in it. Elephant rock, Turtle Rock, Trickie Dick and a few others I wasn't able to see. A manmade tunnel is 680' long and curved so you can't see the exit from the entrance. The buildings remaining in Perkinsville are original railroad buildings. Our car stopped next to the old water tank frame. In it's hey-day, P-Ville had 10-12 families. In the 
1960's a few scenes from the classic western, How the West Was Won, were shot here. I first saw that movie on a 4-H trip to "the Cities" to view it at the Cinerama theatre. I also rented it from Netflix within the last year. The tracks continue another 18 miles to Drake to meet the Sante Fe/Burlington Northern line. In P-Ville, the engines unhook and use the side track to reverse their location. Looks kind of funny to see 2 engines, then the caboose, then more rail cars. The first class car is now at the end of the train. Back up the canyon to Clarkdale. Same views, but from the opposite angle. Back through Cottonwood. Want to head to Prescott via the old roads, not I-17, which is where "Katie" was trying to take us. She probably knew better. Finally just turned her off instead of constant "recalculating". When all was said and done, I probably should've stayed on Historic 89A to Jerome. Instead, we went through town to pick up 89, which eventually took us into Jerome! OMG, just like the OMG road in Colorado! It almost puts Duluth to shame! Up, up higher, switchback, up, switchback, etc. Not sure how the town hangs onto the side of the mountain. Didn't think to have Marla taking pictures-cuz I had to keep my eyes on the road! Looked like some cute shops and places for libation, but I wasn't seeing any parking spaces. Plus, wanted to get to the other side of the mountain while there was still daylight. We went up to 7000' before we started down again. Made it to Prescott Valley, but didn
't stop to look at the map again. I believe we went past Prescott Valley into Prescott and then turned on Katie again to get us to our hotel. Went through Prescott back out to Prescott Valley. Checked in and checked out the room. Out for dinner at Texas Roadhouse. hmmm, love those baked sweet potatoes. We both had 6 oz sirloin and commented about it when we were kids. I thought it wasn't the best cut of meat-like the bottom of the freezer. Marla hated that it was always fried or pressure cooked-never on the grill. Glad I brought my fleece along. Was a bit cool at night up there in the elevation.
1960's a few scenes from the classic western, How the West Was Won, were shot here. I first saw that movie on a 4-H trip to "the Cities" to view it at the Cinerama theatre. I also rented it from Netflix within the last year. The tracks continue another 18 miles to Drake to meet the Sante Fe/Burlington Northern line. In P-Ville, the engines unhook and use the side track to reverse their location. Looks kind of funny to see 2 engines, then the caboose, then more rail cars. The first class car is now at the end of the train. Back up the canyon to Clarkdale. Same views, but from the opposite angle. Back through Cottonwood. Want to head to Prescott via the old roads, not I-17, which is where "Katie" was trying to take us. She probably knew better. Finally just turned her off instead of constant "recalculating". When all was said and done, I probably should've stayed on Historic 89A to Jerome. Instead, we went through town to pick up 89, which eventually took us into Jerome! OMG, just like the OMG road in Colorado! It almost puts Duluth to shame! Up, up higher, switchback, up, switchback, etc. Not sure how the town hangs onto the side of the mountain. Didn't think to have Marla taking pictures-cuz I had to keep my eyes on the road! Looked like some cute shops and places for libation, but I wasn't seeing any parking spaces. Plus, wanted to get to the other side of the mountain while there was still daylight. We went up to 7000' before we started down again. Made it to Prescott Valley, but didn
't stop to look at the map again. I believe we went past Prescott Valley into Prescott and then turned on Katie again to get us to our hotel. Went through Prescott back out to Prescott Valley. Checked in and checked out the room. Out for dinner at Texas Roadhouse. hmmm, love those baked sweet potatoes. We both had 6 oz sirloin and commented about it when we were kids. I thought it wasn't the best cut of meat-like the bottom of the freezer. Marla hated that it was always fried or pressure cooked-never on the grill. Glad I brought my fleece along. Was a bit cool at night up there in the elevation. 
Saturday morning breakfast at the hotel. Got checked out. Headed to 3 quilt shops-which happened to all be within 3 miles of where we stayed. One had some fabric, but had 2 long arm machines and quite a few quilt tops/backings hanging on hangers to be quilted. Very nice little white haired lady worked there on Saturday. Then to a Bernina dealer that had Great Fabrics! Soo much fabric-soo much stash already. Bought three 1/2 yard pieces with someone in mind. The last shop had way more upholstery fabrics and drapery supplies. Nothing of interest. Home James. Had Katie programed for a Red Hat store in Sun City. When we got there, all we found was residential. Nary a store to be found. Stopped at a sports bar for a quick bite and to check the phone book. When we really looked around, we were the only women in there-it was the "betting" kind of sports bar. Horse races, NASCAR, basketball, you name it. Seemed to be mostly old guys-60++++. Checked the phone book and used the hotel computer. Same info as we had for the red hat store. Ok, we tried to find it. Marla's red hat group was interested. Home James. Got home and opened up thewindows again. Neither one of us had much ambition - couldn't decide what we wanted to do. I couldn't get into reading the last chapter of my book. Talked with the 4th Antrim gang who were having a quilt retreat in Osseo. Marilyn was also able to get away for the weekend with them. Used leftovers and made some nacho chips for appetizer/supper-along with another gimlet. Planned out some meals for the rest of Marla's vi
sit. Plan to make a visit to Paradise Bakery for breakfast and a movie for Sunday's excitement.
sit. Plan to make a visit to Paradise Bakery for breakfast and a movie for Sunday's excitement.
No comments:
Post a Comment