In November, 1995, Tedd and I took a lovely ten day trip to Arizona. We traveled to a number of cities, but perhaps one of the most memorable was our visit to Sedona. We arrived into Sedona after a scenic two hour drive from Scottsdale. Since we had started our drive at around 4:30 in the afternoon, we were fortunate enough to capture the beautiful Arizona Sunset!
AT MONTEZUMA'S WELL
Montezuma's Well
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CAN YOU GUESS WHERE TEDD IS (MONTEZUMA'S WELL)
CAVE HOMES OF THE ANCIENT NATIVE AMERICANS
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By the time we arrived at Poco Diablo Resort in Sedona, we were super hungry and decide to pop into the hotel sports bar, Jersey's. An order of nachos followed by two games of pool was just what the doctor ordered. Needless to say, I lost both games, however, I didn't do terribly, considering I'd only played about four times in my whole life.
We called it an early night and were up bright and early the next day to do some touring. Breakfast wasn't bad - a heaping bowl of granola and strawberries for each of us and a "New York" style bagel with cream cheese. I can assure you, the bagel was not from New York!
A visit to Montezuma's Well and Montezuma's Castle was first on our list. We hiked all around the well and down the base and viewed the ruins of cave homes that had been lived in by the ancient Native Americans. Montzuma's Castle was few miles away and had an admission.
We called it an early night and were up bright and early the next day to do some touring. Breakfast wasn't bad - a heaping bowl of granola and strawberries for each of us and a "New York" style bagel with cream cheese. I can assure you, the bagel was not from New York!
A visit to Montezuma's Well and Montezuma's Castle was first on our list. We hiked all around the well and down the base and viewed the ruins of cave homes that had been lived in by the ancient Native Americans. Montzuma's Castle was few miles away and had an admission.
Tedd suggested that we make our way to an old Western town, called Jerome, about 45 minutes from where we were. We decided to grab something to eat before beginning the drive and found a Denny's, right near Montezuma. Not my first choice, but we were hungry, so we just ate there. It was hurtin' to say the least!! Tedd had fried shrimp and I had a veggie burger, which was also fried, not grilled! Talk about grease. Had we known that there were some cute eateries in Jerome, we probably would have struggled through our hunger and waited.
As we pulled into Jerome, I was impressed with this typically, "old west" looking town. It was small and old fashioned looking, but from Tedd's recollection, having visited Jerome in the early 1980's, he said it had really become very commercial in recent years. We walked along the streets and into the quaint little shops and galleries, which were rather pricey but did have some interesting artwork. While browsing, a beautiful, green malachite heart bracelet, set in sterling silver caught my eye. As I was admiring it, Tedd decided to buy it for me, which made my day!
As we pulled into Jerome, I was impressed with this typically, "old west" looking town. It was small and old fashioned looking, but from Tedd's recollection, having visited Jerome in the early 1980's, he said it had really become very commercial in recent years. We walked along the streets and into the quaint little shops and galleries, which were rather pricey but did have some interesting artwork. While browsing, a beautiful, green malachite heart bracelet, set in sterling silver caught my eye. As I was admiring it, Tedd decided to buy it for me, which made my day!
IN FRONT OF ONE OF THE SHOPS IN JEROME, AZ We stumbled upon a little bar and walked in to check it out. Suffice it to say, that there some prime examples of what kind of individuals must have frequented that town's saloons a hundred years ago. This one guy, extremely toasted, was telling another inebriated fellow how he had "slept in his hard hat" the night before.
Driving back to our Sedona Hotel, we passed a Wal-mart. Now, in 2014, Wal-mart is not much of a novelty anywhere in the country. But, back in 1995, as New Yorkers, we had never stepped foot in one, let alone, saw one up close and personal. So, we had to stop and take a gander. We stocked up on junk food - crackers, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, cracker jacks and pop tarts (my personal favorite). Since it was so close to Christmas, I picked up a few "cassette tapes" (am I dating myself yet?!). They had a mix of different artists singing various carols, none of which were on the pop charts anymore. These included Andy Williams and Jim Nabors, to name a few.
Driving back to our Sedona Hotel, we passed a Wal-mart. Now, in 2014, Wal-mart is not much of a novelty anywhere in the country. But, back in 1995, as New Yorkers, we had never stepped foot in one, let alone, saw one up close and personal. So, we had to stop and take a gander. We stocked up on junk food - crackers, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, cracker jacks and pop tarts (my personal favorite). Since it was so close to Christmas, I picked up a few "cassette tapes" (am I dating myself yet?!). They had a mix of different artists singing various carols, none of which were on the pop charts anymore. These included Andy Williams and Jim Nabors, to name a few.
Time to eat again! Quickly freshening up at the Poco Diablo, we headed out to Pepe Muldoons, a Mexican joint down the road. The food was surprisingly good. We both ordered the fajitas - Tedd had steak and I had vegetable, and it was served in what I thought was the perfect quantity.
VIEW OF TOWN OF SEDONA PICKING UP JEEP TOUR (RED JEEP IS OUR TOUR VEHICLE)
SEDONA
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VIEW FROM INSIDE RANDI'S JEEP - CATTLE CROSSING SEDONA ROAD
SEDONA
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Our second day in Sedona, we were up, dressed and packed to check out by 8:30am, as we were scheduled to catch a jeep tour in town. Against our principles we decided to order corn flakes through room service, knowing full well we would get totally ripped off. Why? Well, hating to order room service, Tedd had the bright idea the night before to stop at the Circle K (like a 7-11) to get cereal and milk to bring to our hotel. Great idea, but we had no bowls or utensils. So, we were forced to compromise our principles to avoid starvation.
The jeep tour was terrific but we didn't know what we were to encounter! It was a gorgeous, sunny, crisp Saturday morning, and both Tedd and I showered and washed our hair. I was so happy with how lovely my hair styled with the dry southwestern air. We had no idea about the dust and the dirt that was going to get kicked up around us during this open air jeep ride. Needless to say, we were filthy by thte time the tour was over! But, in spite of clay residue throughout our hair and on our scalps, it was a wonderful tour.
The jeep tour was terrific but we didn't know what we were to encounter! It was a gorgeous, sunny, crisp Saturday morning, and both Tedd and I showered and washed our hair. I was so happy with how lovely my hair styled with the dry southwestern air. We had no idea about the dust and the dirt that was going to get kicked up around us during this open air jeep ride. Needless to say, we were filthy by thte time the tour was over! But, in spite of clay residue throughout our hair and on our scalps, it was a wonderful tour.
ME & RANDI, OUR SEDONA TOUR GUIDE
Tedd and I sat at the back of the jeep and got thrown around a bit. Our driver and tour director's name was Randi. He gave us his life history - born in Iowa, lived in LA, moved to Sedona eight years ago - never married.
TEDD BEING ALL TOUGH WITH RANDI'S GUN When we stopped at a "photo op" area, Randi told us how he was a gun collector. Tedd was going to take a picture of me and suggestion that "Tex" get into the picture (Tedd had affectionately referred to Randi as Tex because he wore a big cowboy hat). I was poised above a big drop and Randi came over and stood next to me. He even took out his gun for affect and asked if I wanted to hold the gun for the picture. I declined the generous offer, but Tedd did not. He stood there like a real tough guy, holding the gun as I snapped one of him.
We got a good chuckle out of one of Randi's stories. He told us how he often gets a lot of foreign tourists, many of which are Japanese and barely speak English. So, on one occasion, during a jeep tour, they arrived at a photo pop area. After the two jeep loads of Japanese tourists got out, they proceeded to line up their cameras at Randi's feet.
He said while there were only 12 or so people, somehow, there were 18 cameras! Randi said, at that point, he took out his gun and said "Ok, we have your cameras, now give us your wallets."
When the tour was over, I was fixing my hair, unaware of the clay film on it and as I ran my fingers through it, I was shocked by the dirt on my hands! We were both pretty grossed out, but had to laugh at our dirty souvenir from Sedona. -Elisa
When the tour was over, I was fixing my hair, unaware of the clay film on it and as I ran my fingers through it, I was shocked by the dirt on my hands! We were both pretty grossed out, but had to laugh at our dirty souvenir from Sedona. -Elisa