Every type of Land Conditions--and all in a day

When Lynda and I left Sedona yesterday, it was a bit of an unknown agenda-- this was really the one week where nothing was planned at all but we set off with a basic plan to head west up into red rock canyon and on to Jerome--well its not far anyway-- and then see where that would lead us so off we went.

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"--

 

 

www.bufordsworkshop.com

 

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-------------------- !

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deep Breath Post Transfer Winow

I heard someone say yesterday that women have valentines day and blokes have transfer deadline day.

That may be right but both are torturous for us fellas.

Well, stands to reason doesn't it, mad panic buying figures in both for us doesn't it. With Valentines Day, we run around like headless chickens when some women in the office asks you what you got the wife or girlfriend---and ok maybe the boyfriend---for valentines day about ten minutes before you go home to the said partner.

Well its the same with the final transfer day, when your teams manager is reminded that he sold all his strikers and he might just need to buy someone--anyone--to fill the gap.

You want a good example--take a look at the Arse--that's Gooners to the rest of you--Mr Wenger got a call yesterday morning reminding him that it is long in the tradition of said club to rush out at the eleventh hour and buy someone-- anyone-- to keep their miserable fans happy. (sorry to Jay and Phil Palmer, but had to be said)
So what does Arsene do--he goes rushing out and comes back with a goldfish--i'm telling you, this guy Ozil is related to a fish - see for yourself----

 

Ok that's not him , this is

 

 but the result is just the same--Arsene, you need to take someone with you mate and next time , a loan of a big lanky striker for a year from over the river might not seam such a bad idea when comparing him to a fish.

Anyway, how do I feel about the Chelsea, well very glad Mata is staying- that would have been a travesty , very disappointed about Lukaku--but still young--and a little mystified why we would want to help the scousers, even if they do have an ex-assistant manager of ours now running their squad, but moses was very much the spare in the midfield.

 

S that's it all over and done, and like Valentines day, your team bought you what you wanted or there will be a lot of cold shoulders and grumblings going on--that's if she'll speak to you at all..

 

Right, now I got that of my chest it is time to be thinking about what comes next on this trip of Lyndas and mine, and the news is that we are leaving Sedona this morning and going exploring the mountains going west from there.

 

I am gonna say--before we leave here, that Sedona is one of the nicest places on the planet (after Aegina maybe)-- but really , it is a beautiful place and I am sure that it has inspired so many people over the years--writers, painters and the like-this will definitely be a lottery place for Lynda and Me.

 

We took these shots from over the valley to the east and our hotel is the building slightly right of centre.

 

Not sure whose place this one above is but an amazing tower in the roof.

 

And the one above here is the mansion of the late Lucille Ball---

 

 

That was her and the name of her show that was top of the ratings back in the day.

 

We did a little touring round yesterday and of course there was the need to ensure that we were contributing to the Native Indians livelihood while we were about it--

 

 

Another lazy afternoon by the pool but it did come over a little stormy so we weren't out there too much -must be sad that we are leaving---

 

 

Nice meal last night with fresh made Pizza and Peronni great combo

 

Final shots on the balcony of my beautiful wife and a pretty scene of the pool and the apartments.

 

Ok, so I couldn't work out the bit on the camera that allows night shots but you get the jist.

 

Whose a pretty lady then--pretty in white my girl.

 

So that's it then, we are on the road heading up towards Jerome in the mountains and as for the football--well we have got what we have got ---now make the most of it.

 

KTBFFH

 

 

 

 

 

Lazy Sundays

Well I think a bit of R&R when the sun is belting down was definitely in order for us both and we took full advantage of it.

As always I went a little OTT and have the colour to prove it.

We managed to Skype with daughter Charlotte and it is fun doing the mail at home with someone else opening and disposing of the content or at least there to organise what we will need to address when we get back.

And nice then to get skyped by Lynn and Stuart --great to catch up with you both and BTW, don't forget that you can always go to Kardia even for a week if you need a break.

So here is us owning the pool yesterday---I don't think we saw anyone out there until mid afternoon--

The Queen doing her morning bathing--

Nice knees and definitely not mine

The only other company in the early day in the pool--

 

 Oh and of course this fast boy , following orders to lay on his back to get the front tanned---yes Mam

The pool was great and while we over-indulged the sun, it was good to book read and little else.

In the evening we went walk about in the upper town and for Rod and Ann, we have managed to copy almost to the letter what we did when we all visited here all those years ago-- we went out looking to eat and the one that we wanted to eat in was to long to wait if not booked so had a burger in a kind of semi-self service place in the shopping parade area on the first night.

So having learnt the mistakes we phoned yesterday and booked for last night at the Cowboy Club over the road and I had the Buffalo Pot Roast and Lynda had the best part of a full roast chicken, a couple of drinks and a relaxed evening--very nice.

 

Just had to stop off for a swift cold one as we had a bit of time to kill.

 

 

Me just trying to move on past all the jewellery, clothes and gift shops

 

This is a really pretty main street and the plaza is where we had our first evening meal--definitely not all that--

Anyone following this Blog will remember that we have seen this character -- Kokopelli- all over the states that we have visited and for me definitely shows that there was interaction between the various indigenous tribes over the centuries--bearing in mind that he dates back to around the 1300's and is seen all over the states in Petroglyphs on cave walls or rock faces.

 

Lots of street entertainment for the kids the main street is a very busy and lively place every day and evening but we need to remember this is a holiday weekend.

So we ate in this restaurant that Rod and Ann will remember---

Great venue and very popular -- including with us---

This is us with dinner--trust it was better than our faces portray --

So that was yesterday and today is going to kick off with a little drive around this morning but not too much more than the pool this afternoon.

What comes next will be a drive around the Chino valley area and lake Havasoo so will do a little planning later on --happy trails are coming our way---again.

Right , that's it and now need breakfast so go on--clear off, go on--look I have to get dressed so clear off---that's better.

Visiting Memory Lane---Again

A very Happy Sunday morning to you all out there and I hope that the weekend is going well.

I am not gonna tempt fate too much but I can see a fare bit of the Blue stuff out of the window of our very nice Hotel here in Sedona, AZ---I just want a day by the pool please--not too much to ask for is it.

I am currently sitting at the desk top right, looking precisely at that view through the window.

 

And this is what I want to be sitting beside later, reading my book and bothering no-one.

 

Ok so we left Flagstaff and headed off down Route 66 towards Sedona. By the way, thought that I would share with you that we have been through nearly all the states that it passes through and so here to show you---and maybe for you folk that dream of doing the whole journey on a Harley Davison, here is the way you need to go-----

 

 

Lynda and I have been across it in 6 out of 8 states and I have done Illinois with work at Chicago. Hey , Americans, how many you been too.

 

So back to the trip down to Sedona, which although is very short it isn't without interest even though it is back to the Pine forests and the mountains.

 

What this does not show is that either side of the 89A highway is wall to wall tents , camping in these forests -- we were amazed that by mid morning all these people had turned up and pitched camp--thousands of them-- lots of outdoor activities in this area must be a big draw anyway.

The bridge below crosses to some very exclusive houses that some of which are rentable.

 

We managed to find an area of Navajo jewellery stalls for Lynda to browse as we were early for checking in and then we went up into the west hills above Sedona to look around the Encharntment Resort.

 

 

It's not too bad considering the exclusivity that you get from there-- www.encharntmentresort.com

It's about $450 per night B&B, but shoots to $620+ for spa to be included and of course things like lunch and Dinner will whack the price up a bit.

 

 

Really swish place and they did some really interesting things for the residents as with Lynda below and these Falcons and Owl----

 

This chap is enjoying north Arizona as his habitat would normally be Mexico

 

 Just a shame that I missed the shot where it was flapping around on top of Lynda's head.

 

It isa pretty famous place for Celebs as well-- the first real Celeb to build a house and live here was Lucille Ball---need to be a bit old to remember her -- but also others who have houses here are NicholasCage, Johnny Depp, Madonna, Nick Nolte , Mike Tyson, Ali among others.

 

There is a great local saying " God built the Grand Canyon , but lives in Sedona"

 

Just a couple of final shots of some of the Red Rocks--

 

 

 Just expecting the Levi, Wrangler and Marlboro adverts to pop up at any time.

 

That's it , off to the Pool--talking of The Pool, enjoy your moment of glory today as it will be about all you will get this season   :-)