Photos of Our Arizona Adventure

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Arizona Getaway 2009

How Did I Forget Flagstaff?

Flagstaff lies near the southwestern edge of the Colorado Plateau, along the western side of the largest contiguous Ponderosa Pine forest in the continental United States. Flagstaff is located adjacent to Mount Elden, just south of the San Francisco Peaks, the highest mountain range in the state of Arizona. Humphreys Peak, the highest point in Arizona at 12,633 feet (3,850 m), is located about 10 miles (16 km) north of Flagstaff in Kachina Peaks Wilderness. (Thank you Wikipedia.)

The drive from the Grand Canyon was beautiful, down to Williams where we took 180 South to Flagstaff, driving through the areas highlighted above. I think if I had to move to Arizona, I'd want to move to Flagstaff. It has everything except a beach, but I believe there are lakes nearby.

Following our desire to stay in old and historical hotels, we stayed at the Monte Vista Hotel in downtown Flagstaff. During the years between the 40's and the 50's well over a hundred movies were filmed in and around Northern Arizona. With exceptional lodgings being few and far between, the Monte Vista became the hotel of choice for headlining Hollywood stars, colorful characters and other notables. Over the years the list of famous guests has grown and continues to do so even today. Mary Costigan: (rm.105), the first woman licensed to operate a radio station in the world, which was run out of The Monte Vista. Bob Hope: (rm.204), film star and comedian. Michael Stipe: (rm.205), lead vocalist of rock band "R.E.M" Zane Grey: (rm.210), famous author of wild west novels including "Riders of the Purple Sage." Bing Crosby: (rm.213) film star. "White Christmas" Michael J Fox: (rm.216), television & film star, "Family Ties" "Back to the Future," Siouxsie Sioux: (rm.220), lead vocalist of the bands "Siouxsie & the Banshees" & "The Creatures." Esther Williams: (rm.224), legendary synchronized swimmer & film star George Babbitt: (rm.301), former Arizona Governor. Air Supply: (rm.303), Australian soft rock band. Barbara Stanwyk: (rm.304), television & film star "Big Valley," "Double Indemnity." Jon Bon Jovi: (rm.305), lead vocalist of the rock band Bon Jovi. Gary Cooper: (rm.306), film star "The Pride of the Yankees." Debbie Reynolds: (rm.307), film star, singer, entertainer. "Singing in the Rain." Alan Ladd: (rm.308,309), star of many western film classics such as "Shane." Robert Englund: (rm.310), actor. star of the "Nightmare on Elm Street" series as Freddy Kruger. Carol Lombard: (rm.311), star of classic comedy films. Jane Russell: (rm.312), film star, philanthropist. "Gentleman Prefer Blondes." Lee Marvin: (rm.401), actor, "the Magnificent 7" and "Cat Ballou." John Wayne: (rm.402);" The Duke", famous american actor of many western classics. Freddy Mercury: (rm.403), lead vocalist of the legendary rock band "Queen." Spencer Tracy: (rm.404), actor. "Adam's Rib." Walter Brennan: (rm.405), actor. "The Westerner." Clark Gable: (rm.406), actor. "Gone with the Wind." Cornel Wilde: (rm.407), Nominated for an Acadamy Award for his performance in 'A Song to Remember.' Humphrey Bogart: (rm.408,409), actor. "Casablanca" & "The Maltese Falcon." Anthony Hopkins: (rm.410), actor "Silence of the Lambs." Gene Tierney: (rm.411), actress. "Son of Fury." (from the hotel webstite) We stayed in 301, George Babbitt's room.

Reported Hotel Monte Vista Ghosts
The Bank Robber

• In 1970, three men robbed a nearby bank & during the robbery, a bank guard shot one of the men. Despite their injured comrade they decided to stop by the hotel lounge and have a drink to celebrate. The wounded man bled to death while enjoying his last drink. Since then both patrons and staff have reported being greeted by a an anonymous voice saying "Good Morning!" There have also been reports of barstools and drinks that seem to move on their own.

The Women of the Night

• Years ago Flagstaff's Red Light District could be found just south of the railroad tracks, only 2 blocks away from the Monte Vista. In the early 1940's two prostitutes were brought to the hotel to room 306. During their "visit" they were killed and thrown from their third floor window to the cold street below. Over the years, numerous guests have reported being awakened in the middle of the night and unable to return to sleep due to a feeling that they are being watched. In most instances, it is our male guests that report the feeling of having a hand placed over their mouth and throat, and awakening unable to breathe. After they awake, these guests say they found it very difficult to return to sleep due to an overwhelming feeling of anxiousness and a sense that someone is "keeping an eye" on them.

The Phantom Bellboy

• Hotel guests have reported a knock at their door and in a muffled voice, someone announces "room service." When guests open the door, they find that no one is there. Some guests however have seen the figure of a bellboy standing outside of room 210. John Wayne experienced this ghost while he was a guest of the hotel. Mr. Wayne reported that the ghost seemed friendly, and that he did not feel threatened at all by its presence.

The Little Boy

• Some guests have seen the image of young boy wandering the halls of the hotel. Some guests say that they have had this young ghost touch their hand! His voice can sometimes be heard as if he is walking behind you. Guests who have seen this ghost have said it looks as though he may be speaking with his mother.

The Meat Man

• This bizarre long term boarder was known by his strange habit of hanging raw meat from the chandelier. In the early 1980's he was found in room 220 three days after his death. Not long after his death, a maintenance worker was doing repairs in the room. Needing a new fixture for the repairs, the employee left the room, turned the lights off, and locked the door. Upon returning, only a few minutes later, he found the television on with the volume full blast, and the linens on the bed had been ripped and scattered around the room!

The Rocking Chair

• Once featured on the television show "Unsolved Mysteries" room 305 is by far the "most active" room in the Hotel. There are numerous reports of seeing a woman in the rocking chair near the window. Also guests and housekeeping alike report seeing the chair "move by itself." History tells us that years ago an elderly woman who was a long term renter would sit by the window for hours on end. No one knows what she was looking at or looking for. Could it be she was waiting for someone? Someone she waits for even in death.

Baby in the Basement

• The disturbing sounds of an infant crying in the basement have been heard again & again. Reported primarily by maintenance & laundry personnel, this is possibly the most disturbing encounter reported in the hotel. Staff have found themselves running upstairs to escape the sound of the cries. Though the sounds are very real to those who hear them, there has been no information that has explained this phenomenon.

The Dancing Couple

• On several occasions lounge staff & patrons have witnessed a transparent couple dancing in the Cocktail Lounge. They are seen in formal dress laughing and smiling, eternally dancing.

The Voices

• The staff at the Old Post Office (OPO Salon) have heard voices & seen figures moving in the building for years. No one is quite sure who these shadowy visitors might be.

Poltergeists

• For years housekeeping have reported problems with light bulbs being unscrewed, or on some occasions completely removed! While this may be frustrating for the staff this is rarely a problem for guests. However, if your lights don't work, check the bulbs!
  

Well, we didn't experience any of this stuff, so who really knows?

Dining Out


http://hotelmontevista.com/Racha_Thai/
Simply the best Thai dinner I've experienced. More food than we could eat, we couldn't take the leftovers with us. I'd go back to Flagstaff just for the food at Racha Thai.


to be continued...

Jerome, Arizona Historic Mining Town

I believe anyone would enjoy Jerome, Arizona. It was told to us by two different groups of Prescott residents as we walked around that old downtown area and the Courthouse park, that Jerome was definately a must see. "A mile high town with a 50 mile view." So we drove through the town of Sedona and headed about 20 miles up the road to what turned out to be a delightful surprise. http://www.azjerome.com/default.htm
"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, Arizona. Once known as the wickedest town in the west, Jerome was a copper mining camp, growing from a settlement of tents to a roaring mining community. Four disastrous fires destroyed large sections of the town during its early history, resulting in the incorporation of the City of Jerome in 1899.

Founded in 1876, Jerome was once the fourth largest city in the Arizona Territory. The population peaked at 15,000 in the 1920's. The Depression of the 1930's slowed the mining operation and the claim went to Phelps Dodge, who holds the claim today. World War II brought increased demand for copper, but after the war, demand slowed. Dependant on the copper market, Phelps Dodge Mine closed in 1953. The remaining 50 to 100 hardy souls promoted the town as a historic ghost town. In 1967 Jerome was designated a National Historic District by the federal government. Today Jerome is a thriving tourist and artist community with a population of about 450.

Jerome sits above what was the largest copper mine in Arizona and produced an astonishing 3 million pounds of copper per month. Men and women from all over the world made their way to Arizona to find work and maybe a new way of life. Today the mines are silent, and Jerome has become the largest ghost town in America.

Jerome's personality has changed dramatically in the past 30 years. Once a thriving mining camp between the late-1880s and early 1950s, Jerome is now a bustling tourist magnet and artistic community with a population of about 450. It includes a modicum of artists, craft people, musicians, writers, hermits, bed and breakfast owners, museum caretakers, gift shop proprietors and fallen-down-building landlords.

What is the Town of Jerome like today? Is it worth your time to visit? The answer is a resounding yes! Jerome is an enchanting town, and a photographer's paradise. From its external appearances it hasn't changed much in nearly 100 years. Many of the buildings used by present-day business folks are those built after the fires of 1894 and1899. A number of the buildings have been restored and more are planned for restoration. Due to the 30-degree incline of the mountainside, gravity has pulled a number of buildings down the slope. To the delight of some, one of those buildings was the town's jail. Those buildings still standing make for interesting visiting and with a little research you can find their historical significance. One notable section is the "Cribs District." You will find this area across the street from the English Kitchen, in a back alley where all the buildings were are part of Jerome's ill-famed "prostitution row."

Be sure to go to the website posted above and read about the American Indian history.


We quickly found a place to park at the bottom of the hill and made our way by foot up the streets to nearly the top, going in and out of artsy shops all the way. While in one, we struck up a conversation with a young clerk and asked her if she knew a good place to stay while in town. Well, she recommended the Surgeon's House B&B at the top of the hill, the best in Jerome, and even called the owner and made a reservation for us. http://www.surgeonshouse.com/


<- I wish I could remember this girl's name. She was friendly and helpful. I bought a nice bracelet from her too. And, note the relaxed and happy smile on His face. He was enjoying himself. Yes, uh-hmmmm.

View from our room -->

You can take the man from his office, but you can't take the office from the man ->

So, we checked into our room, freshened up, and set out again to look the town over some more. We sought refreshment in one of the oldest saloons in town, Paul & Jerry's Saloon, nearby and laid back, where we experienced a Nut Brown Ale that was brewed in Sedona. It was darn good. Cool. Refreshing.

to be continued...

The Grand Canyon Adventure

We were up fairly early after an uneventful night at our historic hotel and having not experienced more than a few loud voices coming from the parking lot in the late night hours. No ghosts. No unusual lights or noises. But again, we didn't stay in the haunted room but in the room just above it. I thought I took some pictures of the room, but strangely, none turned out. hmmmm You can see what the rooms are like by linking to http://www.vendomehotel.com/




We were now headed to the main objective of our trip--the Grand Canyon. Everyone has heard about or has seen the grand canyon, so there will be no more discussion of it here.


We spent about two hours moving from spot to spot at the South Rim, until He said, "Okay, been there, done that." So easy, I thought. Check it off the list. What's next?

What was next was the Sedona area. Stay tuned.

Prescott Nights

We aren't much for "the night life," but we did venture out in the evening for a stroll down Whisky Row and nice meal at a place called The Palace, http://www.historicpalace.com/ that we had seen earlier in the day, smack in the middle of Whisky Row.

Whiskey Row ->

We walked through groups of tourists and biker-guys, throwbacks from the 60's, and one guy sporting long white hair and a long white beard, dressed entirely in very colorful tie-dye outfit--shirt and pants. I didn't dare take his picture noting that he was friendly with a group of rough-looking biker-dudes--probably perfectly harmless. But hey, I wanted to look cool too, so pretended not to notice.

Come on in...

These swinging doors are in amazingly good condition for their 109 years. They were placed after the Palace was destroyed by the Whisky Row Fire on July 14, 1900. The ornately carved 1880's Brunswick Bar, which is still in use, was carried to safety across the street to the plaza by patrons, where they continued to drink the night away.

This collage was enormous. I wish I could have gotten it all in.
<-

We sat at the booth named for Morgan Earp, a brother of Wyatt. It seems that in the late 1870's Wyatt Earp, Virgil Earp and Doc Holiday were patrons of The Palace. Still full from lunch, we shared a Quartz Mountain Chicken Quesadilla.

to be continued...

Bucket List??? or Southwest via Southwest

He informed me that he had a desire to see the Grand Canyon. It was one of the things he wanted to see before he died. "You have something to tell me?" I asked. "No," He said, "I just want to see it someday." Well, if you know me you know I have itchy feet, love to travel, and my motto is "do it now!" So, before He could change his mind, I had planned and booked a trip to the Grand Canyon State, Arizona.

We flew into Phoenix on a Sunday morning, picked up our rental car and struck out. We promptly got lost on the sad side of town, but finally found a place that sold maps (Walgreen's) and got on the correct path. (Husband Travel Rule #1: Just stop and ask directions early to save stress.)

Flora & Fauna

He had never seen a cactus before??? Well, He saw plenty in Arizona--everywhere He looked.

<- We found a bird airport next to a cafe in Back Canyon. All the greenery in the background is cacti--too cute. Sorry, this is the best picture I could get.

Prescott, AZ

We spent our first night in Prescott, which is located 96 miles northwest of Phoenix and 95 miles from Grand Canyon National Park, amid the largest stand of ponderosa pines in the world . Prescott is home of the world's oldest rodeo, and is Arizona's first territorial capital. It was founded in 1864, and then incorporated into Arizona in 1881. The city was named for William Hickling Prescott, a noted Arizona historian. The Hotel Vendome is a charming, historic inn combining the warmth and comfort of a Bed and Breakfast with the privacy of a hotel.

Built in 1917, this two-story landmark hotel has been lovingly restored and romantically enhanced to its original grandeur. The authentic western atmosphere draws people from all over the world, including some Hollywood celebrities. It has been a home to Tom Mix, a silent cowboy film star from Hollywood's pioneer days when he was making movies in Prescott, renting a room for a year at a time. Today, it remains a favorite getaway to many that are seeking accommodations with more character, wanting their lodging experience to be as warm and memorable as Prescott itself. If you stay in room 16 at the Hotel Vendome in Prescott, Arizona, you just may find that it is haunted by the ghost of Abby Byr and her cat, Noble. Abby came to Arizona searching for dry desert relief from tuberculosis and soon married. She and her new husband bought the hotel but they eventually lost it because of unpaid taxes. Regardless, the new owners allowed Abby and her husband to stay on in the hotel for no charge. She died in 1921 and her ghost, along with that of her cat, began to be seen after World War II. The stories say that Abby died of starvation, along with Noble, after her husband deserted her. She has been haunting the place ever since. We stayed in room 26.

<- Bar in the parlor of Hotel Vendome.

For some reason, I can't get the slide show to work, but if you click on "view all images," it will pop up. ?????

After we settled into our room, we ventured out and explored the town.

To be continued...

Sporatic Bursts of Engery...

A friend asks, "Why don't you post on your blog anymore?" Well, because I'm wasting too much time on facebook; it's because I'm too lazy to think about writing something interesting; it's because I'm too busy procrastinating. It took me more than a month to finish my travel journal on Oklahoma. I finally posted that today. But hey! Here I am with nothing interesting to tell you!
I've had some bursts of energy since it has warmed up here, especially on days that the the rain and clouds are gone and the sun is shining. In fact, I saw some neighbors on Saturday I hadn't seen all winter. Saturday was a sunny day with temps in the high 50s. I put the plants back out on the deck and even pulled a few weeds. I've been working 4 hours on Tuesdays at a local bakery and haven't porked out on sweets--major achievement.
I stalked George Clooney's movie set catering truck that was parked in front of our neighborhood church and tried to get information on the whereabouts of George. He is filming a movie here in St Louis and can be sighted here and there. I never did see him, but he was there having lunch and in the afternoon he was around the corner from my house filming on Magnolia Place. Man! they protect him well. Ha.

<- one of the catering guys.

Anyway, He (my spouse--not the catering guy) and I are planning a trip to Arizona next week and I'll have another travel diary to share with you. In the meantime, I guess I'll just go on enjoying rather uneventful days cooking and cleaning, doing this and that, running here and there, and thinking about all you guys out there. Later, kiddos.