Williams, AZ
One of the things I like best about staying put a few extra days is spending some of them just hanging out at home. We love our little place, it's so comfortable. After our big Tuesday, Wednesday at home is perfect.
Most mornings I read my blog roll with a big cup of coffee. Seeing where my virtual friends are spending their time is a lot of fun. I've been starting my day like this for a couple years. It's even better now that we've met some of them, that they've become "live" friends as well.
Thursday morning I'm reading Gay and Joe's post on Prescott.
Prescott! We wanted to see Prescott!
Let's do that today!!
I don't know why I think Prescott is colder and more forested than Flagstaff. It isn't.
The drive south on Hwy 89 is very different from what we've seen. We like different.
Historic downtown is not unlike many others we've visited, but there is the oldest saloon in Arizona!
As much museum as restaurant, the current Palace Saloon was built in 1901, and includes both the original bar and the huge ice chest from the previous building that burned down. Walls are filled with art and memorabilia.
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| The bar is beautiful |
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| The ice chest the size of a tanker |
Several glass cabinets hold history on mining, government, gambling, recreation, fire management and the saloon itself.
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| 1951 vacation brochure |
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| A touching, albeit poorly lit, tribute to the Yarnell 19 who died on June 20, 2013 |
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| Gambling and gamblers |
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| Subtle, with a specific demographic |
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| A frisky steed at the saloon |
I've seen so many pics of the Granite Dells, and want to see this beautiful place on our way out of town.
Watson Lake is really pretty, and I'm surprised that it's right on Hwy 89.
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| Taken from the pull-out on Hwy 89 |
I'm also surprised that Granite Dells is mostly private property. To the west of the highway we only find entrances to sub-divisions and private driveways. To the east we find one road that takes us into the rocks and a lot of run-down homes. We're really not sure what to make of this strange place. Not at all what I expected from all the posts I've read....there must be another entrance we're missing.
On our way back to the highway we do find one trailhead. It gives us an opportunity to be among the boulders, to see their wonderful patterns and shapes.
The trail cuts through tall rock and moves into thick trees. There are other hikers here, including two
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We're glad we got to see a bit of Prescott and know there is lots more to this pretty little town. Next time we'll stay in a park nearby.
A good amount of rain is in the forecast (no snow this time), and we get the first of it early Friday morning. As we finally have all the necessary information, Bill is able to complete our taxes. The rest of the day we spend being morbidly depressed......well maybe not that bad.
Saturday we continue our slow travels west.
So glad you got to visit Prescott. The Dells' rock is amazing. Whiskey Row is interesting and there's so much to see an do in the area. Hope you go back. Safe journey with today's wind and rain.
ReplyDeleteWe definitely will. The wind was definitely more of a pain than the wet - still a pretty drive.
DeleteHate to hear of your tax woes but if it makes you feel any better to have company ours were very TAXING as well. I went to an the very best Environmental Spirituality conference I have ever attended put on by the Senior Class of Prescott College. It was amazing. I didn't have much time to spend in the area as I was still working and have always wanted to go back. Thanks for the preview.
ReplyDeleteHa! Not a fun time of year :-( Sounds like a conference I would love. It is definitely an area deserving of more time.
DeleteDespite living less than an hours drive south of Prescott these past 4 winters we just haven't spent a lot of time there & have never been to the Dells. If we end up spending more time in Congress this coming winter we'll have to make it a point to get up there & have us a look around.
ReplyDeleteI think you'll like the town, and the Dells are beautiful, although difficult to capture with so much private property.
DeleteI think a lot of us have the same morning routine:)
ReplyDeleteWith our several visits to Prescott, we haven't made it into the Palace Saloon. This was our destination on our last day trip from Congress, but we ended up at the Brewery because I found a Chocolate Porter:) One day!
Aren't the rocks in the Granite Dells just the coolest!! We loved all our hiking there last year. Kayaking on the lake was so much fun with the calm water and reflections everywhere.
I have to find a chocolate porter myself! Yes, love the rocks and really have to figure out where else to access them for next time - probably from the park :-)
DeleteWe sure get great ideas of where to go and where not to go from other's blogs. We've been through Prescott but it's been a while ago. Your pictures made me realized we haven't even seen the area. Looks like enough to keep us entertained especially with the rocks and lake. We'd like that .. maybe it's another someday trip.
ReplyDeleteSo many people love Prescott, I know we just scratched the surface - so much to enjoy in northern AZ!
DeletePoint of Rocks RV Park is a great place to stay in Prescott, it's adjacent to Watson Lake. Prescott also has a Costco and Trader Joes!
ReplyDeleteIt looked like a great place to stay - will definitely do that next time. And I missed a TJs??? Well we definitely will be back :-)
DeleteThe rocks there are beautiful, Jodee. Very nice. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Jim, they're different than we've seen other places - mostly slick rock and such a pretty color.
DeleteI also love knowing where my blogging friends are and what adventures they're having….and as you said, it's even better when we've met in person. :-)) I haven't been to Prescott in years, and it's been on our list -- especially Granite Dells. Looks so beautiful in your photos!
ReplyDeleteThanks Laurel :-) We're looking forward to seeing it on a sunny day - although having the cool temps was really nice!
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