April 4, 2013

Boondocking in Sedona, AZ

This morning was the second morning waking up and hoping our sweet little Pumpkin would be outside waiting to be let in.  I can’t believe how tight a hold this little creature has on my heart. 

 

 

 

 

We had reservations for the 1pm Verde Canyon Railroad but didn’t have to be there until 12pm for check-in. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The dirt road just outside our campsite.

We wanted to explore the cute towns of Cottonwood, Jerome and return to Tuzigoot because the Ranger Station had been closed on our last visit and I wasn’t able to stamp my passport.

Our first stop was in Old Town Cottonwood. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We arrived before 10am and most of the shops were still closed so we just walked up one side of Main Street and down the other. 

 

 

 

 

 

Car in front of an old gas station turned into a diner. 

Tons of antiques.

 

A little something for everyone.

 

We went inside a bakery and tasted some of the cookie and bread samples on the counter. 

I got into a conversation with the clerk behind the counter who talked about his childhood in the Bronx.  Having grown up in Brooklyn I could relate to some of the experiences he had.  We ended up buying some cookies and a loaf of sourdough bread.

 

 

  

 

 

Continuing on we made a detour into a new GREEN housing development and toured one of the model homes. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I really liked the kitchen and living room. 

Tuzigoot was our next stop. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

We had already toured the ruins so this time we only looked at the exhibits in the Welcome Center

 

 

 

 

 

  

and I stamped my passport.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We decided to take a ride to Jerome because we still had over an hour before we had to be at the depot.  On our way to Jerome we passed through the charming town of Clarkdale.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

There is a sign on the road leading to Jerome (located at an elevation of over 5,000 feet) that trucks longer than 50 feet are prohibited.   I understood why as we climbed on the steep road with several switchbacks. 

The town was very crowded with tourists.  Not finding a parking place we drove through town and found a parking lot offering a spectacular view. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After taking a few pictures we drove a little further on 89A toward Prescott and pulled into the first scenic outlook where we could safely turn around.  

 

 

 

On our way back through Jerome there was a parking spot available but we didn’t bother stopping because it was getting close to the check-in time. 

We did take a short detour and followed the signs for the State Park just outside of Jerome

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 where we took some pictures including the snow capped mountains in the distance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We arrived at the train depot at 11:45 and went directly into the ticket office with our vouchers.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were assigned to the Flagstaff car. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Boarding would not be for another 45 minutes so we spent some time walking through the museum and gift shop. 

 

 

 

 

  

 

While Monte walked the length of the train taking pictures

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I started the waiting line because I wanted to make sure we got a seat on the depot side of the car. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When the attendant opened the door for boarding he went into the waiting line and brought all the older passengers with canes on first. 

 

We were still able to get the seats that we wanted. 

The climate controlled car we were in had spacious living-room style seating near panoramic windows. 

 

We also had access to an open-air car with 360 degrees of outstanding photo opportunities.    

 

 

 

 

  

Our hostess, Tracy, came through with champagne and cider

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

for the departure toast.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 A few minutes after pulling out of the station Tracey announced that the buffet was opened and a line quickly formed.  Our seats were at the other end of the buffet table.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monte was outside taking pictures so I got in the buffet line.  By the time I arrived at the table there were only a couple of chicken wings left but plenty of hero sandwich, cheese and crackers, pickles and olives, vegetable tray with dip and Caesar salad. 

 

 When I got back to our seats I called Monte on the phone and told him if he wanted to eat he had better come in because the food was disappearing quickly.

 

 

 

During the four hour railway journey the exclusive view of the Canyon, only accessible by rail, included towering crimson pinnacles and ancient Indian ruins.  We passed through a manmade 680-foot tunnel and over a trestle. 

Monte used three cameras!

 

The half way point was at the ghost town of Perkinsville where the engine was detached, brought alongside the train and placed in what was the rear and then became the front of the train for the return trip to Clarkdale. 

We didn’t take as many pictures on the return trip.  It was a little overcast and the temperature had dropped making it very comfortable to sit outside and just enjoy the scenery.

When Tracy came around selling ice-cream sandwiches,

Monte couldn't resist buying one.

Monte smoozing with our outdoor guide, Don.

 

 

I couldn’t believe four hours had elapsed since our departure and all too soon we were returning to the depot.

 

 

Back home, I sat outside while Monte took a walk jingling the bell from Pumpkin’s collar and calling out his name.  We are both just so sad and can’t help thinking about all the things that could have happened to our little buddy.