The problem with us now us that we have developed this ability to go somewhere, see the points of interest, and then get back in the motor and push on and before you know it , we have visited half a dozen places and driven 400 miles. ( Loo's notwithstanding).
So this was a bit like us yesterday and the other spooky thing is that we followed in almost exactly the same footsteps, as we did about 2006--we know it is this because of what I will get to later.
So first port of call was Jerome, which has been a gold mining town established in 1876----
( By the way, if you want to see all the trip photos, then click on the "view Complete Profile" words on the right of this and follow the google directions, it's easy )
The gold King Mine and old workings , saw mill and the old buildings are managed and run by Don Robertson , who has been around it seams like forever---
Even though we have been before it is still a really interesting place to go visit. For Lynda and me it has also led our discussions to a different type of conversation focussing much more on the "Why and How " did the men and women of the time get to choose to come up into very elevated places --this is at around 7000 feet elevation.
This picture does not do the view justice but it is awesome from up there
This one has seen better days.
It appears that the first mining of any kind was by the conquistadors in the 16th century when they came to the Verde River Valley.
Mining started again for both gold and then copper and went on until the 1920's. A major mining company then bought it and proceeded to blast out the mountain for copper but closed the mine for the final time in early 1950's.
Shutting this devastated the people who were reliant on the mine--interesting stories so go to www.jerometimes.com www.jerometimes.com
So we left Jerome and drove through the pine tree covered mountains over to Prescott and we stopped there for a bathroom break and my first ice-cream of the trip.
Prescott Court house--it was a nice stop but nothing more and we were on our way from there heading -- we decided for Lake Havasu City.
Ok , so Lynda and i are driving along when this sign popped up and before we knew it we were desperately searching for things that we new from previous American trips---
Yarnell is a place that Rod and Ann, Lynda and myself first stopped off at in the early 2000--I think it was 2004--we were hungry and thirsty and found a roadside café that we went in.
When we were served in there and had requested a cup of hot tea for Ann, this lady --Wendy Amos the owner-came out with the tea and started chatting to us -- she was from wales, had been in the states for many years and was married to this actor--Buford Amos and he had built a mock stage set next door to the café.
In 2006 we passed this town again with Rod and Ann , stopped , had food and drink---tea in a tea pot for Ann--Wendy remembered us and we met Buford who was in the Kitchen and we had a good old chin wag ad they told us that they were not going to renew the lease the following year and would do something further up the street where they had other property.
So knowing that they would not be in any café, imagine the surprise when Lynda spotted a store with the name Buford on the front and finding him inside, what we found to be an Aladdin's cave of a place but the big thing was guns which he is licenced to repair and sell.
So these below are Wendy and Buford and me on what was an amazing meeting as they remembered us--maybe not exactly but certainly they remembered those Brits coming in for "Tea"--
We eventually , and a bit reluctantly left Yarnell and the Amos's, mid afternoon and headed of towards Lake Havasu---you know we went through Red Mountains , Pine Forrests Mountains, farm land, Land with dust twisters going on, desert and sand dunes around Parker, mountains again and then the lakes.
Then there was our 5th or 6th Dam in America---
There are only so many Dam photos one can see of dam's
The only other eventful part of our trip was meeting these guys on the road--wild Burro's
Getting a bit up close and personal.
So from here we had a short trip to Havasu and just as we got there we recorded the hottest that we have had here in the states on this or any trip---
109 degrees.
Ok so that's it for this post and now to get down and reclaim our Heritage -- London bridge is here and I have the shirt the flags and the camera to go and tell these yanks that they cannot just come over and nick our bridges--what the hell will we cross from south to north if we sell all our bridges----------on the other hand, if it meant that we didn't have to go to North London---ever, well-------------------- !
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