Jerome and Sedona (September 21-24)

Here are some photos from the trip Patricia and I took over the weekend of September 21-24.

We started out from Phoenix on Friday, September 21. Drove up through Prescott and had lunch at an old hotel there right on the old court house plaza. Lunch was fine, and that part of town is fun to walk around in. The remainder of Prescott (and particularly Prescott Valley) is getting progressively more depressing - just a bunch of housing developments, strip malls, chain stores.

So we drove up to Sedona via a beautiful, curvy road. Checked into the Jerome Grand Hotel - a converted hospital with a wonderful history, which you can read about here. The rooms are pretty spartan, but the place is clean and, perched atop the town, features unbelievable views. We always get a room on the third floor, which has a balcony.

Checked in, strolled around downtown a bit, then came back and sat on the balcony; our "neighbors" were chatty but amusing. Then had a wonderful dinner at the restaurant right in the hotel, named "The Asylum." Take a look at the interior photo. They do a great job.

Saturday, September 22 - we had planned on hiking the Woodchute Trail on Mingus Mountain, but the weather was cool and rainy. So we got our exercise in walking all around Jerome. Started with breakfast at the Mile High Inn - some of the local color was already hitting the bottle, but it was nice. Drove down to the old high school building, which now is used for art galleries. I really liked that place. Like the old hospital, the high school reflects a community that once was awash in money.

Then we drove to the house of the owner of the largest mine; now it's a museum. This wasn't as interesting as expected but was ok; I include a photo of the "Little Daisy" mine, it's interesting how they describe all this. Then continued walking the shops awhile, had a late lunch at a place called "Grapes." Fun food, beverages, waitress was a hoot. Rested at the hotel awhile, more walking all through the town, there was an interesting wine place with a cute dog. Another wonderful dinner at Asylum.

Sunday, September 23 - another breakfast at the Mile High Inn; then got organized and drove up to Sedona. Went to the Boynton Canyon trail head and did the hike past the Enchantment Resort and on up the canyon. I include a few pictures. Not much elevation gain, but we went at least five miles total. The part near the resort is average, then it gets more and more beautiful. We'd definitely go back. Back to town and had lunch at the Oak Creek Brewery in Tlaquepaque. Checked into the Orchards. This place has wonderful red rock views. Had a nice dinner creekside at Lauberge - everything very nice except it got a bit cold for us as the evening progressed.

Monday, September 24 - our only iffy meal of the whole trip was breakfast at some place in Sedona. But we had a nice cup of coffee and a spectacular view right down the street to make up for it. Walked the shops at Tlaquepaque and elsewhere; delightful lunch at The Hideaway (one of our regular spots in Sedona). Headed back to Phoenix and ended up for dinner at a new restaurant in Cave Creek named "The Spotted Donkey." Patricia had a salmon dish that was wonderful, it's a fun place.