Days on the road: 26.
Miles today: 135.
Miles to date: 5424.
Whilst in Sedona, I elected to lounge by the pool, explore the local colour, and venture into the surrounding area to discover rural Arizona. Sedona has lots of natural elements to take in as the topography and colours catch the eye of even the most cynical city boy. I'm sure a certain mountain biking enthusiast friend, JCR, would love it here. I also took the down time to take care of some laundry, learning that there is really little need for a clothes dryer in the desert.
After the chore of laundry, I decided to examine the uneasy fact that there are wineries in the desert. Now, I'm no KA or PS when it comes to oenophilia (sounds dirty), but let's just describe my creek-side tasting as a pleasant experience of rough product. They offered a really tasty tasting plate of cheese, fruit, bread, and roasted tomatoes though.
Jerome is a small, former mining town in the mountains about 25 miles South of Sedona. It still has a major Freeport Mcmoran presence (and they also own the mineral rights under the homes of current residents) despite the copper and gold operations ceasing some time ago.
Near Jerome is Cottonwood, which is more residential and came into existence due to the fact that it was NOT a company town and more people settled there away from the mining operation. Also driving relocation, was the nearby concrete plant on former smelting lands (Clarkdale) that provided the materials for a major dam project on the Colorado river.
My short voyages also took me to Red Rock to see the red rocks (they call this one Cathedral Rock):
Had an amazing burger in Jerome years ago...not much there except jewelry shops now as you've seen, but found a place on the side of the mountain that serve icy beer and big sandwiches and the view was just outstanding, you can see for miles up there. That is all.
ReplyDeleteI especially like the giant "J" in the side of the mountain - visible for miles and miles. I plan on doing an "MJF" on my next mountain home.
ReplyDeleteHappy Belated Cinco De Fusco Senor. My bad for missing this but we're still running on Canadian time.
ReplyDeleteVery happy to see you didn't drink the most likely cyanide laced Kool Aid at the last cultie mixer.
Happy Belated Fusco.
Hey Little Brother,
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday from Sabri and I. Glad to see the lesbo new agey crystalites didn't permanently derail the pilgrimage.
Keep the posts coming.
Lots of love,
Paul & Sabri
Ahh yes...Arizona...I remember it well. Particularly one particular employee of IKEA...if you need a place to stay in the Phoenix area, just let me know, I am sure she won't mind. Also in that area I recommend the Heart Attack Grill where the female staff dress in full nurse regalia and I don't mean scrubs. Also, if you can eat the quadruple bypass burger in 20 minutes I believe it is free and they take you to your car in a wheelchair.
ReplyDeleteJust heard about the trip and read every single post. Fantastic. One question though. Why weren't there co-pilot auditions? Sounds like a blast Matty.
ReplyDeleteHappy b-day Matty
ReplyDeletePatrick