The Home of the Bighorn Sheep, Anza-Borrego

15 July 202319 April 2025

The Anza-Borrego Desert is one of my favorite places in Southern California to hike. Located about two hours east of San Diego, the Anza-Borrego is a perfect location to experience geological diversity as well as explore the flora and fauna of a desert environment.

First stop in Julian, CA prior to entering the Anza Borrego Park

Before reaching the entrance into the state park, I couldn’t resist a stop in charming Julian. This “one-horse” town is a welcome oasis from the long, uneventful drive from the city. Designated as a California Historical Landmark, it was once a thriving gold rush settlement in the early 1800s. My favorite place to stop is Julian Pie Company on Main Street and bring home a pie or two.

Apple trees were first brought to Julian when settlers arrived hoping to strike it rich with the gold rush. The fruit crops thrived in the fresh mountain air and Julian has since been known for its world-famous apple pies.

The origin of the park’s name, Anza-Borrego, is Spanish. Anza represents an 18^th century Spanish explorer who roamed the desert area and the word Borrego means bighorn sheep. It is the largest park in the state of California and I found myself a little lost at times, not only in its beauty, but within its wide open spaces.

There are close to 500 miles of dirt roads and over 100 miles of hiking trails. Since I was coming from San Diego, I entered the park from state route 79, passing through the Laguna Mountains.

My favorite part of the drive was watching the landscape appear in the twists and turns of my route. I pulled over to capture multiple peaks framed by the rocky hills rising up on each side of the road. The desert landscape showed only a hint of green even during my spring visit in March and I imagined that it would be extremely hot and unbearable during the summer months.

Because the park is named after the bighorn sheep, I was desperately hoping to see one. I imagined watching them climb the steep cliffs sure-footed and quick, but unfortunately, they were nowhere to be found. The park is home to animals such as the kit fox, mule deer, coyotes, red diamond rattlesnakes, roadrunners as well as jackrabbits.

Approaching the exit of the park, I wondered what types of animals lived here during prehistoric times. With a little research, I learned that paleontologists and archaeologists have uncovered evidence of large birds, sloths and cheetahs, saber-toothed cats and camels.

I could spend hours at Anza Borrego and often found myself wanting to return for a weekend camping trip. I imagined the park full of exotic animals that once roamed these desert mountains. I was somewhat disappointed that during all of the times I have visited, I had not seen any of its spectacular wildlife. There was plenty of brown vegetation and it was such a welcome site to pass the red blooming ocotillo plant. Proof that life could have actually survived here.

Is there a location that gives you the opportunity to reflect and escape? Have you visited the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park? I would love to hear about your experience here if you would kindly leave you comment in the section below! Many thanks for reading about my lovely day at Anza and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Anza-Borrego State Park
Borrego Springs, CA 92004
Telephone: 760 767 4205

Admission Fee: There is no charge for visiting Anza Borrego Desert State Park
Hours: Open daily from dawn to dusk; The visitor center is open seven days a week from 9AM to 5PM.
Amenities: Camping, hiking, biking, horseback riding, historical/cultural site, picnic areas, parking
Scenic View: The vista point provides scenic views of the park.
Length of Visit: Over 3 hours
Tips for Your Visit: February and March are the best times to visit to see the spring flowers. Cellular and internet service may be limited at times. Make sure you have plenty of water and snacks and that you fuel up your vehicle before entering the park. Because this is the desert, make sure you have plenty of sunscreen as temperatures can be very warm.

Where to Stay:

Julian Gold Rush Hotel
2032 Main Street, PO Box 1856
Julian, CA 92036
Telephone: 760 765 0201

Where to Eat:

Julian Pie Company
2225 Main Street
Julian, CA 92036
Telephone: 760 765 2449

What to Eat:

Pie, lots of pie….

What to Read:

The Anza-Borrego Desert Region: A Guide to State Park and Adjacent Areas of the Western Colorado Desert, by Diana Lindsay and Lowell Lindsay
Anza-Borrego A to Z, by Diana Lindsay
Hiking Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, by Bill Cunningham and Polly Cunningham
House of the Fox: An Art Mystery Set in California’s Anza-Borrego Desert, by Cornelia Feye

Photo Guide for the Anza-Borrego Desert:

Font’s Point for a scenic overlook of the badlands
Borrego Palm Canyon for a lovely group of palms which can be reached by A-Z’s most famous hike.
Borrego Springs, a small town located inside of the park for the stars and unusual artwork by Ricardo Breceda
Native American artwork can be seen throughout the park and it is estimated that there are over 50 major art rock sites to include Pictograph Trail in Little Blair Valley.
Ghost Mountain to see writer Marshal South’s homestead ruins.
The wildflowers of spring

Julian Lodge, Bed & Breakfast

Evidence of Fire at the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

Summer’s End at Custer State Park: The Wildlife Drive

13 October 201817 September 2024

Dark clouds appeared overhead as a storm began to roll in at Custer State Park. Uncertain if the weather would put a damper on my afternoon, I continued on with my plans to explore the Wildlife Drive. Known for its amazing animal sightings, I was looking forward to seeing bison, burros or even a mountain goat.

Custer State Park is both a state park and wildlife reserve. Located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, it is named after Lt. Colonel George Armstrong Custer providing a home to many wild animals on its 71,000 acres. The park is most known for its large Bison population of 1500, its prairie dog towns and burros. Other animals residing in the park include elk, mule deer, white tailed deer, mountain goats, big horn sheep, pronghorn and mountain lions.

Here are some of the amazing sites I had the opportunity to see while exploring the Wildlife Drive at Custer State Park.

Fisherman Ponds

Views from the Lookout

Groundhog

American Bison

Prairie Dog Town

White-Tailed Deer

Wild Burro

Spectacular Landscape

Nearby attractions I was not able to visit included the Crazy Horse Memorial, Jewel Cave National Monument and Wind Cave National Park, but one day, I hope to make it here.

Have you had the opportunity to visit Custer State Park? Did you drive the Wildlife Loop Road? I would love to hear about your adventure if you kindly leave a message in the comments section below! Many thanks for reading my post and Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Custer State Park
13329 US Highway 16A
Custer, SD 57730
Telephone: 605 255 4515

Don’t miss the Wildlife Loop Drive for the opportunity to see the park’s wildlife up close in their natural habitat.

Admission Fee: Weekly Park License: $20 per vehicle, $10 per motorcycle, motorcoach license: $3 per person per visit.
Hours: Open daily, 24 hours; Visit the website for the hours of the Visitor’s Centers.
Amenities: Hiking, biking, bird watching, camping, canoeing/kayaking, fishing, cross country skiing, horseback riding, rock climbing, swimming, scenic drives; buffalo auction and buffalo roundup
Scenic View: The Wildlife Drive provides opportunities to see a wide variety of animals in their natural habitat.
Length of Visit: 1 – 2 hours
Tips for Your Visit: Drive slowly through the Wildlife Loop and be cautious of animals crossing the road. Take the drive early in the morning in the late afternoon for best viewing opportunities. Do not feed the animals and maintain a safe space between yourself and the animals.

Where to Stay:

Custer State Park Resort
The Blue Bell Lodge
Telephone for Reservations: 888 875 0001

While I spent the night at the Blue Bell Lodge, there are several other properties around the park to book as well.

Where to Eat:

Ruby House Restaurant
124 Winter Street
Keystone, SD 57751
Telephone: 605 666 4404

I wanted to visit a place with an Old West feel that served steak and I came to the right place! The Bourbon Ribeye was fantastic!

So many other options along Mt. Rushmore Road.

What to Eat:

Buffalo: A meat substitute for beef which is much healthier to eat.
Chokecherries are a Native American cherry that is made into jam, preserves, butter, wine, jelly and sauce. Wojapi is a chokecherry sauce.
Dakota Martini is made of three-fourths beer and one-fourth tomato juice
Fleisch Kuchele is a meat pie originating from Germans who lived in Russia. The dough is filled with meat and onions, then deep fried until the pastry is hot and flaky.
Hot Beef Commercial, also known as hot beef sandwich, beef combination, hot beef combo and hot beef combination. This is a sandwich made of real mashed potatoes and chunks of seasoned roast beef sandwiched between two pieces of white bread and smothered with homemade gravy until it floods the plate.
Indian Fry Bread is the state bread of South Dakota, a recipe of the local Indians.
Indian Tacos are made with a specially spiced beef and beans, cheese, lettuce, sour cream, tomatoes, onion, black olives and house made picante sauce on the top.
Kolache is an amazing Czech dessert made from pastry and filled with fruit filling such as apple, cherry, lemon, apricot, prune and strawberry.
Kuchen is German for cake and in South Dakota, visitors can enjoy this pastry filled with custard and fruit.
Lefse is a flat potato bread coming from Norwegian-American origin and served with butter
Mocha Cakes, also known as Blarney stones, are square or rectangular blocks of light and airy white cake. Frosted on all sides with vanilla buttercream, they are rolled in lightly salted crushed peanuts for ideal flavor and texture.
Pasties are savory hand pies.
Tiger Meat is South Dakota’s answer to steak tartare.
Wasna is a buffalo and berry dish passed down by the Lakota Indians.
Zebra Donuts are marbled chocolate and vanilla donuts that is fried, dunked in sweet glaze and hand-dipped in homemade chocolate frosting which feeds 15.

Photo Guide for Custer State Park, South Dakota:

Use a telephoto lens for capturing animals far away in the distance.
Explore the Wildlife Drive for opportunities to see wildlife
Take a Jeep Safari tour to gain closer to access to the amazing wildlife in the park
Take your photos at dawn and dusk for excellent time to see wildlife.

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Wandering Walden Pond

22 December 201716 September 2024

Concord is a charming literary village established in 1635. It is most known as the town that incited the American Revolution with the “shot that was heard round the world.” With its steeped history in combat, Concord’s Walden Pond is the antithesis of war. A muse of Henry David Thoreau, the lake stands to represent the simple life of the author who spent over two years here living off the land. Building a cabin close to the lake, Thoreau was drawn to the simple things in life and immersed himself in the surrounding nature.

Strolling the trail that followed the perimeter of the pond, I stopped to enjoy the playful chipmunks and rabbits scurrying along the path and chasing each other among the forest of maples and pine.

I could hear the crunching of dried leaves and the crackling of slender branches beneath me as I explored Thoreau’s solitary refuge. Walden Pond was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1962 and a replica of Henry David’s cabin was reconstructed at a location near the current parking lot of this 335 acre state park and recreation area.

In addition to hiking the pond, visitors can swim, canoe, fish and cross country ski during the winter months. Walden Pond would soon become a popular vacation destination after Henry David Thoreau’s book was published. This area had previously served as an excursion park in the late 1860s. Visitors would be able to swim, swing, boat, play baseball, bike and run. Concession stands, dining halls, bathhouses and a baseball diamond stood on this site until it burned in 1902.

Henry David Thoreau was born in Concord in 1817. After graduating from Concord Academy, he went on to pursue his education at Harvard. Interested in ornithology, the study of birds, it is no wonder that Thoreau pursued the natural beauty of Walden Pond. While he was also interested in Greek mythology and British ballads, he returned to his hometown of Concord to teach school. Influenced by writers such as Hawthorne, Alcott, Fuller, Thoreau wanted to become a writer as well. His friendship with Emerson and death of his brother would lead Henry David to Walden Pond to journal about his experience and later publish his famous manuscript.

About a quarter of a way along the hike, there were a series of stones that marked the original site of Thoreau’s one bedroom cabin. Several quotes from the author are on display as well as a marker which identifies the site of his original home.

Much like many of the other famous writer’s of his time, Thoreau became involved in many political manners and had even helped runaway slaves cross into the border of Canada. This led Thoreau to write the essay Fit, which brought him international fame.

Prior to Thoreau’s stay at Walden Pond, the Fitchburg Railroad was built to bring hundreds of visitors to the site. I had wandered off of the well-hiked trail to check out the train tracks that seemed to expand endlessly into infinity. I had expected a train or two to pass by yet there was no activity along the tracks. I imagined the incoming of visitors loading and unloading in a nearby spot and was disappointed that I did not see a single train.

By the time I had reached the end of the trail, I knew exactly how Thoreau could fall in love with this place. From the abundance of wildlife to the time of solace, a side trip to Walden Pond was well worth the visit.

Have you visited Walden Pond State Reservation? Did you experience Thoreau’s love for the area? I would love to hear about your time at the park if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for checking out my post about Walden Pond and wishing you many Happy Travels!

Disclosure: Please refer to our blog disclaimer tab for more information.

What to See and What to Do:

Walden Pond State Reservation
915 Walden Street
Concord, MA 07142
Telephone: 978 369 3254

Where to Stay:

Concord’s Colonial Inn
48 Monument Square
Concord, MA 01742
Telephone: 978 369 9200

Where to Eat:

The Liberty at Concord’s Colonial Inn
48 Monument Square
Concord, MA 01742
Telephone: 978 369 9200

I couldn’t help myself and decided to make it a seafood night. I started with the clam chowder and then ordered the Lobster Roll which was overloaded with delicious Maine lobster and served with Truffle fries. There was so much food that I did not have room for dessert, but if I had the chance, I would have ordered the Flourless Chocolate Cake.

What to Eat:

Boston Baked Beans
Cape Cod Potato Chips
Chop Suey Sandwich at Salem Lowe Restaurant
Clam Chowder
Fluffernutters – sandwiches made of peanut butter and marshmallow fluff
Fried Clams
Griddled Blueberry Muffins
Hoodsie Cups – cups of vanilla ice cream with a paper lid
Lobster Rolls
Necco Wafers
Roast Beef Sandwiches at Kelly’s Roast Beef

What to Read:

Walden, by Henry David Thoreau
Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott
The Things We Cannot Say, by Kelly Rimmer
In the Heart of the Sea, by Nathaniel Philbrock
The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail, by Jerome Lawrence

Browsing the shores of Walden Pond

Cute Lifeguard On Walden Pond

Walden Pond Beach

The forests of Walden Pond

More Glimpses of Walden Pond

Cantwell Cliffs at Hocking Hills

12 January 201716 September 2024

It was a beautiful weekend of hiking throughout Hocking Hills State Park and I wanted to find a short, moderate hike that would be a little challenging as well as scenic. Cantwell Cliffs Loop was the perfect trail measuring less than 2 miles featuring gorges and a gorgeous waterfall. Located 17 miles from Old Man’s Cave, this would also be a convenient stop on my way back home to Columbus.

The fall leaves had collected along the edges of the trail . As I reached the top of the stairs, I caught a glimpse of a bushy tail rushing up beech a tree.

Created by the erosion of the rock caused by the Buck Run tributary, the Cantwell trail runs through both the gorge and the rim of the cliffs. The stairways leading up to the rim were steep and made for a great work out, a section of the trail known as Fat Woman’s Squeeze.

A closer look at the Blackstone rock showed striations as well as small caverns. Thin layers of moss covered the boulders and streaming lines of ants were leaving from their little cave homes in search of food.

The scenery throughout this hike was unique with twisted trees and tight spaces between the rocks. Quietly enjoying my surroundings, I could hear the crunching of leaves beneath my boots and the occasion tweet from a bird.

Ascending the trail, I looked back to see the thick woods of white poplar trees. The wind was beginning to pick up with the light flutter of branches and leaves and soon I had approached the waterfall.

While I was excited to see the waterfall, it was only a trickle of water. The sound coming from the small stream and droplets echoed off of the rocks as the water slowly reached the ground. I as a little disappointed that there was not much of a fall, so I will ahve to return again to see it this summer. I always love an excuse to hike.

Have you hiked Cantwell Cliffs? I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading about my spring hike of Cantwell Cliffs and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Cantwell Cliffs at Hocking Hills State Park
13540 OH-374
Rockbridge, OH 43143
Telephone: 740 385 6842

Admission Fee: Free
Hours: Open daily from dusk to dawn
Tips for Your Visit: Where sturdy shoes or hiking boots and during the rainy seasons, you may want a walking stick to keep from falling. Early morning hikes are best in season as the trails can fill up. Try hiking the trail during each of the seasons for a different perspective.

Where to Stay:

Hocking Hills Inn and Coffee Emporium
13984 OH-664 Scenic
Logan, OH 43138
Telephone: 740 270 2697

Where to Eat:

Millstone Southern Smoked BBQ
12790 Grey Street
Logan, OH 43138
Telephone: 740 385 5341

What to Read:

Hocking Hills, by Doreen McMillian
Hocking Hills Day Hikes, by Mary Reed

Disclosure: Please refer to our blog disclaimer tab for more information.

An Afternoon at Niagara Falls

26 February 201531 August 2024

Unique in the fact that Niagara Falls straddles two countries (the US and Canada), this lovely New York destination offers a wide range of activities including a state of the art aquarium and nearby wineries. But it is the magnificent waterfalls that have been bringing visitors to the area since the mid-19^th century.

Our family added the falls to its east coast vacation agenda as a stop on our way to Maine. Making a quick visit to the Official Visitor Center, we decided to purchase tickets for the Maid of the Mist boat ride. For a closer look at the falls, our voyage would take us around the Niagara River towards the magnificent Hurricane Deck where we could feel the exhilarating spray from the tons of water crashing down over the cliffs.

The thunderous sound of the falls greeted us as we approached the 400-acre state park. In the distance we could see the horse-powered. steel passenger boat ferrying its 600 guests. We were so excited to start the boarding process and put on our rain ponchos.

We found a spot on the upper deck for the best view and guarantee of becoming drenched by the waterfalls. The double-decker boat cruised towards the semicircular gorge where over 2.5 gallons of water flows per second. Flocks of seagulls and vibrant rainbows appeared as we sailed further into the mist.

The Maid pulled up to the stairs leading to the Hurricane Deck at the Cave of the Winds. As we exited the boat, we stood in awe of the spectacular waterfalls with a front row seat of Bridal Veil overwhelmed by its majestic force.

We had only a few moments to experience the whipping winds and back splash from the gorge before returning to the boat and completing our 20 minute ride. Drenched from head to toe, the sunshine felt amazing as we tried to dry ourselves before finding a restaurant for lunch. We agreed that a ride on the Maid of the Mist is an epic adventure for travelers to Niagara Falls and wondered why we had not done this before.

Have you visited Niagara Falls? Did you take the Maid of the Mist boat tour? I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for checking out my fun family visit to Niagara Falls and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Niagara Falls State Park
332 Prospect Street
Niagara Falls, NY 14303
Telephone: 716 278 1794

Admission Fee: There is no entrance fee but parking costs $8 to $10 depending on the parking lot.
Hours: Open all year
Amenities: Niagara shuttle, Top of the Falls restaurant, hiking, biking, souvenir shop, downloadable map from the app,
Scenic View: Gorgeous views of the falls from various vantage points from the park.
Length of Visit: 1 – 3 hours, depending on which activities you select
Tips for Your Visit: Download the walking tour app to maximize your experience. Wear comfortable shoes for walking and take the Maid of the Mist boat tour to explore the falls up close. Bring water during the summer if hiking.

Maid of the Mist
1 Prospect Street
Niagara Falls, NY 14303
Telephone: 716 284 8897

Ticket Prices: $22.25 for adults, $13 for child ages 6 to 12,
Hours: Tours start each day at 9AM and depart every 15 minutes throughout the day.
Amenities: Rain poncho, wheelchair accessible, complimentary WiFi
Scenic View: Gorgeous views of the falls from the boat and the Hurricane Deck
Length of Visit: 1 hour
Tips for Your Visit: Be prepared to get wet on the boat ride.

Where to Stay:

Fairfield Inn & Suites Niagara Falls
643 Rainbow Boulevard
Niagara Falls, NY 14303
Telephone: 716 970 4290

Where to Eat:

Top of the Falls Restaurant
Niagara Falls State Park Visitor Center
332 Prospect Street
Niagara Falls, NY 14303
Telephone: 716 278 1794

I couldn’t help myself and ordered the Buffalo Chicken Wings as a starter and the Niagara Fish & Chips for my entree.

What to Eat:

Street cart Hot dogs
NY-style Pizza
NY-style Cheesecake
Baked Pretzels
Buffalo Chicken Wings

What to Read:

The Day the Falls Stood Still, by Cathy Marie Buchanan
The Falls by Joyce Carol Oates
The Odds: A Love Story by Stewart O’Nan

Photo Guide for Niagara Falls:

- “Journey Behind Niagara Falls” platform
- The falls from the Maid of the Mist
- Horseshoe Falls tunnels
- Views of American Falls from the Canadian Side

Disclosure: Please refer to our blog disclaimer tab for more information.

A Copper Mining Ghost Town: Jerome State Historic Park

22 May 201431 August 2024

Surrounded by a sense of the paranormal, I approached the historical ghost town of Jerome. Uninhabited, it felt as though the residents of this Arizona village had stopped in the middle of what they were doing, packed their belongings and took off without a moment’s notice. As I pulled my car into the parking lot, I couldn’t help but look around and realize I was the only one visiting the park. All alone, I quickly understood why Jerome has been called the largest “ghost town” in the United States.

Jerome State Historic Park is located between the towns of Prescott and Flagstaff. Founded in 1876, the population’s highest count was 15,000 in the late 1920’s, once the fourth largest city in the state of Arizona.

Among the remains of the old mining town is the hotel which is located on top of Cleopatra Hill. Abandoned, it reminded me of the Stanley Hotel in Stephen King’s “The Shining.”

Jerome was once labeled the wickedest town in the west. Known for its mining of copper, the industry eventually declined and locals had to leave to find employment elsewhere. The city was later converted into a historic ghost town and eventually recognized as a National Historic District. The spectacular views from the Jerome Grand Hotel overlook the sparsely vegetated mountains and deeply excavated valleys.

Remnants of the mining town remained with only about 450 permanent residents calling Jerome their home. With fabulous restaurants, coffee shops, art galleries and a winery, the state park and local museum are dedicated to teaching visitors about the city’s rich mining history.

It was quite clear while visiting the State Park that Jerome had not changed much over the last 100 years. Some of the historic buildings had undergone restoration with a few more projects set for the future. The challenge has been the fact that the city sits along a hill at a 30 degree slope and some of the buildings have been damaged due to their sliding down the incline. It is believed that the 88 miles of mine shafts may have contributed to the landslide.

In, 1962, the Douglas Mansion was donated to the city by the heirs of Jimmy Douglas. It was used to create the Jerome State Historic Park.

For those that enjoy history, a visit to downtown Jerome is a must to explore some of the town’s historic buildings like the old jail and the “Cribs District” which was once a part of Jerome’s “prostitution row”. It is located in a back alley across the street from the English Kitchen.

Jerome is a fascinating town that has retained much of its historical surroundings. Located only 90 miles from Phoenix, it is a perfect day trip from several towns in Arizona such as Flagstaff as well as Sedona. For now, I am ready to head back to my bed and breakfast but not before stopping at the Jerome Winery for a little rest and relaxation. Somehow the silence has grown on me, and who knows, maybe I will see proof of life on my next visit.

Have you had the opportunity to visit Jerome, Arizona? What did you think of your experience? I would love to hear from you if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below! Many thanks for reading about my side trip to Jerome, Arizona! Wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Jerome State Historic Park
200 Douglas Road
Jerome, AZ 86331
Telephone: 928 634 5381

Admission Fee: Adults: $7 (ages 14 and over); Youth: $4 (ages 7 to 13); Children: Free (ages 0 to 6 ).
Hours: The park is open daily from 8AM to 5PM with the exception of Thanksgiving (8AM to 2PM), Christmas Eve (8AM to 2PM) and Christmas Day (closed).
Amenities: Programs and events, Junior Ranger Program, Visitor Center, Gift Shop, Museum and Exhibits, Picnic areas, Video Presentation, Self-Guided Walk
Length of Visit: 1 – 2 hours
Scenic View: Photograph the Jerome Hotel
Tips for Your Visit: Bring water and sunscreen as the site is in the middle of the desert. You may also want to bring a telephoto lens for photographs. Be prepared for several stairs.

Bittercreek Winery (Cellar 433)
Prescott National Forest
240 Hull Avenue
Jerome, AZ 86331
Telephone: 928 634 7033

Hours: The winery is open Monday through Wednesday from 11AM to 6PM and Thursday to Sunday from 11AM to 7PM.
Amenities: Group wine Tasting and Special Events; Menu, local Micro-Brews and amazing views of the Verde Valley.
Length of Visit: 1 – 2 hours
Scenic View: See the Verde Valley and Red Rocks of Sedona

UPDATE: The Echo Canyon Winery is now permanently closed

Echo Canyon Winery
Prescott National Forest
419 Hull Avenue
Jerome, AZ 86331
Telephone: 928 649 9800

Where to Stay:

The Surgeon’s House
Prescott National Forest
100 Hill Street
Jerome, AZ 86331
Telephone: 928 639 1452

A historical bed and breakfast located in Prescott National Forest. Beautiful views!

Where to Eat:

Grapes Restaurant & Bar
Prescott National Forest
111 Main Street
Jerome, AZ 86331
Telephone: 928 639 8477

I ordered the Caprese Ring and it was fabulous and fresh! The Create a Bowl of Pasta was perfect where I could select my own type of pasta, meat and sauce. I created a fettuccine carbonara…yum!

Books to Read:

After the Boom in Tombstone and Jerome, Arizona: Decline in Western Resource Towns, by Eric L. Clements
Home Sweet Jerome: Death and Rebirth of Arizona’s Richest Copper Mining City, by Diane Seward Rapaport
They Came to Jerome: The Billion Dollar Copper Camp, by Herbert V. Young
Lady Lost: The Story of the Honeymoon Cottage in Jerome, Arizona, by Margaret Graziano
The Ghost of the Cuban Queen Bordello: A Story of a 1920’s Jerome Arizona Madam, by Peggy Hicks
Ghosts of Cleopatra Hill, by Herbert V. Young

Photo Guide for Jerome:

Shoot at dusk for the best lighting.
Photograph side streets for a different perspective
Search out local people to photograph
Places to photograph:
- Jerome Grand Hotel
- The Asylum, a local restaurant
- Bisbee’s Copper Mine
- Audrey Headframe Park
- Haunted Hamburger

Disclosure: Please refer to our blog disclaimer tab for more information.