DEAD HORSE, RED ROCKS, AND GHOSTS

March 14 - 19

MOVING DAY!
We got the Southwind out of the hospital, put the Four Winds in storage at Apache Jct., moved our stuff into our new digs, and drove to Cottonwood, AZ to camp at the Dead Horse Ranch State Park for 5 nights.  The new brakes worked great!

DEAD HORSE RANCH STATE PARK

Dead Horse Ranch got its name in the late 1940's when the Ireys family, from Minnesota, went to Arizona looking to buy a ranch.  At one of the ranches they discovered a large dead horse lying in the road.  After a couple of days looking at ranches, Dad asked the kids which ranch they liked best.  The kids said, "the one with the dead horse!".  They bought the ranch and named it Dead Horse Ranch.  In 1973 when Arizona State Parks bought the property, the Ireys made retaining the name as a condition of the sale.

Playing with fire.

Huge cottonwood tree along the Verde River hike.

SEDONA
Every year about 4 million people visit the extraordinary scenic beauty of Red Rock County around Sedona.  Many visitors come to this special place for recreation, as well as seeking a spiritual experience, rejuvenation, or inspiration.  Many believe the red rock formations located in the National Forest are energy vortex sites, and the power of the rocks enhances prayer, meditation, and contemplation.  In spite of the crowds of people, there's a peaceful feeling while hiking on the Red Rock Trails.

Bell Rock

Red Rock Country

This way to the vortex!

We drove out of Sedona through the hordes of people and traffic, heading north up the scenic winding Oak Creek Canyon road toward Flagstaff.  We stopped at the top to take in the views at Oak Creek Canyon Vista.

That was the road we were on.

Playing in the snow.

"When I grow up, I want to be just like you Frosty"

JEROME
Jerome is 9 miles up the mountain from Cottonwood.  At the height of copper mining in Jerome, the population was 15,000; now there are 350 residents.  I first visited Jerome about 30 years ago when it was pretty much a ghost town of run-down buildings clinging to the side of the mountain with a few squatters living in the abandoned buildings.  This town is now a quirky bustling tourist destination with many of the buildings renovated into B&B's, restaurants, art galleries, and gift shops open along the narrow zigzagging streets.

The old hospital sat vacant for 44 years until it was purchased in the mid-90's and renovated into the Jerome Grand Hotel.  Many believe the hotel is haunted, as unexplained sights, sounds and smells have been reported.  As we entered the hotel, we heard someone moaning; I'm pretty sure it was a recording...but maybe not!  We had a spectacular view of the Verde Valley while eating lunch at the award winning Asylum Restaurant at the hotel.


The large building in the background is the Jerome Grand Hotel.