Back in Arizona...Distant Drums RV Resort

April 22     Bluewater Lake - Camp Verde     285 miles     6 hours 30 minutes

When we got up this morning, it was 29 degrees...chilly!!

Nice scenery with the snow capped mountain and train

We took our time driving to Camp Verde, Arizona. On the drive over, our air conditioning crapped out on us. We stopped at Walmart in Flagstaff and Joe bought something to try and give it a boost but no luck. Looks like we need to find someone to fix it here in Camp Verde.

We checked in at Distant Drums RV Resort, rated 10/10/10 in Good Sam so very nice. Its location is very convenient to a lot of sights to see in the area. The weekly rate here is $239.00.

Our site for the week

Nice pool and hot tub area

We went to the pool this afternoon and got a tip from a couple, that the casino down the road had a prime rib buffet tonight for $16.99. Of course, we had to go. Was the worst prime rib ever, what a waste of money. Then we played some blackjack and lost....oh well.

April 23

We went sightseeing today. First stop, Montezuma Castle. Southern Sinagua farmers built this five-story, 20-room dwelling sometime between 1100 and 1300. It occupies a cliff recess 100 feet above the valley.

This lizard was huge

The legacy of the Sinagua culture surrounds you during a visit to Montezuma Well. From cliff dwellings perched along the rim to large pueblo ruins and an ancient pit house, the variety of these archeological sites is a testament to the ingenuity of these people. In a region where water is scarce, at Montezuma Well is rises from deep underground and flows constantly. Known and used by people throughout time, Montezuma Well is a sacred landscape today. It's a holy place of emergence in some tribal histories.

Last stop was V Bar V Heritage Site. This is the largest known petroglyph site in the Verde Valley, as well as being one of the best preserved. There was a nice walk out to where the actual site is located. There was a park ranger on site to inform visitors of what the believed interpretation is of the wall coverings.

April 24

More sightseeing today. First stop, Tuzigoot National Monument. Tuzigoot is an ancient village or pueblo built by a culture known as the Sinagua. The pueblo consisted of 110 rooms including second and third story structures. The first buildings were built around A.D. 1000. The Sinagua were agriculturalists with trade connections that spanned hundreds of miles. The people left the area around 1400. The site is currently comprised of 382 acres.

"America's Most Vertical City" and "Largest Ghost Town in America" located high on top of Cleopatra Hill (5,200 feet) between Prescott and Flagstaff is the historic copper mining town of Jerome. Once know as the wickedest town in the west, Jerome was a copper mining camp, growing from a settlement of tents to a roaring mining community.

Jerome

Jerome's personality has changed dramatically in the past 30 years. Once a thriving mining camp between the late 1880's and early 1950's, Jerome is now a bustling tourist magnet and artistic community with a population of about 450.

April 25

Today we drove to Watson Lake and saw the Granite Dells, a geological feature north of Prescott. The Dells consist of exposed bedrock and large boulders of granite that have eroded into an unusual lumpy, rippled appearance. Very cool to look at.

Couple of turtles

We ended up hiking about 4 miles on the Peavine Trail. It took us about 1 1/2 hours to complete, very enjoyable hike. Lots of turtles sunning themselves along with some other wildlife.

Crane

Very scenic

After the hike we found a place to park and have lunch. I packed a cooler and we were hungry. When I started to unpack everything for my egg sandwiches, I realized I forgot the bread. So mad at myself, Joe was not happy. I ended up making lettuce wraps with the egg salad. Joe wanted no part of this, he just ate some fruit.

Our last stop in Prescott was Whiskey Row. By the early 1870's a full block of saloons, gambling halls and hotels made this the wildest part of town. On July 14, 1900, a disastrous fire swept through the row and destroyed four and a half blocks of the business district. The row rebuilt quickly and still serves as a focal point of Prescott. Nowadays, Whiskey Row is known for its art galleries, candy shops, and of course its famous saloons.




April 26

Today we went to Sedona. Start with scenery that makes your heart leap. Sedona nestles among a geological wonderland. Multi-hued stone formations jut upwards from the high desert floor creating a vivid, mesmerizing setting that changes hourly with the light. When USA Weekend compiled their Most Beautiful Places in America list, Sedona claimed the top spot.

We drove through town and got on Dry Creek Road and found the trail head for Fay Canyon. A beautiful hike though a canyon with wonderful views. Was about 2.2 miles and took us about an hour.

Next stop was Slide Rock State Park.

It takes its name from the natural water slide formed by the slippery bed of Oak Creek. The water was very cold but was really fun sliding on those rocks. Perfect place to spend the day with family and friends. There is a $10.00 entry fee but worth it.

Joe trying to slide down

We had dinner at a Mexican restaurant called Beto's Corner. So good, we really pigged out.

April 27

We've been busy doing something everyday so today we decided to stay home and do some chores. We washed and waxed the Kia, then cleaned the inside of the RV. Joe wanted to polish the outside of the RV but ran out of gas. We went to the pool and hot tub in the afternoon.

April 28

We went to Sedona again and did another hike. This time it was the Courthouse Butte Loop Trail. It loops around Courthouse Butte and Bell Rock. We went kind of early so was nice because there was hardly anyone on the trail. It was longer than I thought, over 4 miles. It took us almost 2 hours to complete. Very scenic, so I stop a lot to take pictures. It was pretty chilly, when we started it was about 60 degrees. There's so much hiking in this area, wish we had a few more days.

Morning sun hitting the rocks

Courthouse Butte

Bell Rock

This is our last day here in Camp Verde. We've really enjoyed this past week. This RV park is real nice, especially the pool and hot tub that we use every afternoon. Hope to come back soon.