A day trip to Sedona and a detour to Jerome

*FYI*

Due to the content of this post, Scott was concerned that my attitude might come off as 'bitchy'.  Please keep in mind that this was intended to be lighthearted, funny, and sarcastic.  If you had been a fly on the wall when I was typing this, you would've seen the smile on my face and heard the chuckles coming out of my mouth. I am NOT a stick in the mud. ;)

Ever since our arrival to Arizona, all we've heard is how gorgeous Sedona is.  I'm a tough critic though when it comes to pretty places. I've never been one to go 'gaga' over snow capped mountain ranges and was never that impressed with Lake Tahoe when we visited this past winter.  Montana? Not so much. Don't get me wrong.  I've been through the mountains in Colorado and thought they were beautiful, but it was during the summer and everything was green and lush.  I've been to Moab, Utah and thought it was one of the neatest places I've ever been to.  Too bad it was in August when the temperatures were stifling!  I think perhaps, that I'm more of the type that enjoys the architectural and shopping aspect of places... I know I'm not alone here. :)  Old cities with history, cobblestone streets, and old stone buildings. Quaint places to grab a cup of tea or coffee, and cute little shops that house vintage linens, dishes, and furniture.  While in Tubac with my mother a few weeks ago, we went into the neatest kitchen store that had every kind of kitchen gadget you could think of.  I walked away empty handed, only because that's how I am, but I could've spent all afternoon in there! 

Yesterday, Scott took us for a drive up some small mountain that supposedly had a scenic overlook at the top.  It wasn't a very long drive, but it was so booooring. About halfway up to the top, Maria started to complain about wanting to go home, and I was right there cheering her on with my pom poms.  Scott was pretty excited to get to the top, but the brown, dusty view was agonizing.  He turned the truck around and proceeded to call us "Debbie Downers" most of the way back down the mountain.  Later we found ourselves laughing about the whole scenario, but it just goes to show you that I find pleasure in other things.

So, lets get back on topic about our trip to Sedona, shall we?

We were originally going to take a trip to the Grand Canyon with a slight detour to Sedona, but due to lack of planning we weren't able to make it happen.  A day trip to Sedona sounded more feasible, so we packed up some things and headed out early in the morning.  I realized on the way that my camera had broke, which is why you won't see many pictures on this post.

Let me tell ya... Sedona is everything it was said to be.  I can't even explain the beauty we saw there.  Hills, mountains, red rock, red sand, nature trails, cute shops... I could go on and on.  We took a walk on one of the trails there, and if we didn't have two whiny kids with us and if I had worn more appropriate shoes, we would've enjoyed the trail much more.  There was one point while walking the trail that I had a flashback to some childhood memories.  When I was a kid my family, along with aunts, uncles, and cousins, used to go to a cabin resort for one week every summer.  They were some of the best times of my life!  I think about those days often, and the scent on that Sedona trail took me right back to that cabin on Round Lake.  It was like heaven and oh! how I wished to be a kid again.

Afterwards, we went to the nearest Safeway to pick up some goodies for a picnic in the park.  Everything was going smoothly until Maria flipped backwards off of the picnic bench, face first onto the pavement.  Ouch!  Luckily she recovered quickly and it wasn't long before the girls were exploring the playground.  There was shopping and walking and lots of gazing at the scenery.  We decided that Sedona was a place we could live, although I'm sure it's WAY out of our price range.

After our afternoon in Sedona, we decided to take my friend Melina's advice and head to the neighboring town of Jerome. It's a small, old mining town nestled on the side of a mountain.  I googled the city on my phone and discovered that it's also considered a ghost town.  Then, I googled some more and found out that "Ghost Adventures" (one of my favorite shows that I can no longer watch due to lack of cable) did a lock-down in the Jerome Grand Hotel.  We knew we had to check it out.

We walked up the windy, old streets passing other haunted houses and abandoned buildings until we reached the top of the hill.  There it was... the Jerome Grand Hotel.  Scott went inside the lobby to take Maria to the bathroom.  They rode the elevator to the second floor while Ginger and I waited outside enjoying the view, and a cookie. :)

No ghosts were seen, but there have been several sightings in that building.  Every Thursday night, guests get to participate in a ghost hunt and walk up and down the halls in the hopes they'd see something.  I don't think I could even stay in one of the rooms, let alone walk the halls at night.  Yikes!

The Connor Hotel is also supposed to be haunted.  Several of the buildings had plaques on the outside explaining the history of each place.  Very cool and creepy at the same time.

Unfortunately, we arrived to late in the evening to do much shopping, but we did go home with a neat Jerome magnet for our refrigerator. 

On the way home, while eating chicken nuggets in the truck, we were blessed with yet another beautiful sunset.  I swear, the sunsets in Arizona are some of the best I've ever seen!  The drive by picture doesn't due it justice, but I think you get the idea.

Overall, it was a great day.  Sedona was just as gorgeous as everyone made it out to be, and Jerome was a quaint mountainside town with a TON of character and history.  Definitely check out both if you're ever in the area.