John & Allison's Adventures Down South: Verde Canyon Railway and Jerome

January 8, 2014
We had been told by several people that the Verde Canyon Railway was a good tour so we decided to book a trip and decided we'd stay overnight in the scenic old town of Jerome which was just a few minutes drive from where the train was.
It was recommended to go in a first class car as it provided some nice hors d'oeuvres and beverages.
We left Mesa at 8:30am and figured about 2 hours or so to Clarkdale where the train is. We took the quickest route there as we hadn't headed up that way yet with plans to take the scenic route home the following day.

Another lovely decoration on an overpass

Arriving in Clarkdale with plenty of time before the train departed we drove around town to check it out. As the train didn't leave until 1pm and it was just after 11am we wandered into a little diner on main street and had lunch, picked up a tourist map of the area and purchased a couple of greeting cards.
The train departed on time for it's 4hr journey there and back. The cars had quite lovely decor and the snacks were not too bad. Chicken wings, a selection of cheeses and pickles, crackers, vegs and dip and some chocolate brownie bites. They served your choice of champagne or cider at the start, a wee glass, to toast the trip. Other beverages were available at cost.
There was recorded narration of the history of the train and the area throughout the trip interspersed with songs that had train connections. I didn't realise so many songs had train references in them!
Just outside of town there was an old and very large slag pile from the time the smelter operated. Apparently it has just been purchased by a mining company that, after doing tests on the pile, discovered that with the new technology of recovering precious metals, there is approximately $10 billion in gold in those old piles of "garbage"!
If you liked, there were open cars that you could be outside to watch the scenery. We rode inside on the way there and outside on the way back. FYI, if you do take the train, the side with the tables for two or the right side as you are facing the front of the train, has much better viewing.
We saw several eagles, a deer and some javelinas, which a small wild pigs.

One of the engines

The other engine

Some of the beautiful scenery along the railway route

The open car

Heading back to Clarkston while "Take the Last Train to Clarksville" was being played, hahaha

After we got off the train we headed up the road to Jerome. An old town where mining was the reason for it's existence much like many towns in the old west US. It was noted for it's wild times. There was a smelter nearby but when the mines and the smelter closed in the 60's the town was destined to become yet another ghost town. Many of the residents decided not to let that happened and started refurbishing old buildings and making art become a drawing point for visitors. There are all sorts of shops with interesting art work available. Also quite a few good places to eat in town.
We had made a reservation at the Conner Hotel. Est. 1899. It had been nicely modernised but still held much of it's old charm.
When we checked in we were told that it was open mike night at the hotel pub, The Spirit Room, that night, so we decided we'd check it out after dinner.
We ate at an Italian restaurant across the street that had an extensive wine menu. Wednesday night at the restaurant was any appetiser $5 and any glass of wine $5. Pretty good deal! We each ordered an appy and I had a nice glass of Chianti, John had a beer...
We lost our minds for some reason and both ordered a pasta dish. Of course we couldn't finish our meals but those leftovers made for a very nice supper another night.
We headed to the pub after supper and the first band and host for the evening was underway. They were some musicians who had been around making music for some time and played some good old time blues. They were joined by a local younger fellow and jammed for a few pieces.
After them was a duo from upstate New York and they played fiddle and guitar and I guess I'd call their music east coast punk/folk.
We left after their set and headed up to the room. I really liked the room and for me the bed was excellent. I love a king size bed!
The next morning after coffee in our room we headed down the street to a little diner for breakfast.
It was just deelish and with stomachs full and fresh eyes we headed down, and up and down the very scenic hiway 89 to Prescott.
But not before we took a little detour to an old gold mine/ghost town just outside of Jerome.
We drove up to what looked like a junk yard and truth be told it was, but a very interesting junk yard with very interesting people.
There was an old saw mill just like you see in old movies where the villain is going to saw the woman in half but the hero comes just in the "nick" of time.
There were numerous old trucks and fire engines and more trucks and pieces of old machinery. The fellows there actually used the wood they were sawing to make very lovely rustic furniture. I believe if I had a place down here there would be some of that furniture in my house.
There was a donkey and a goat and a bunch of chickens too, just wandering about the place.
We did see a sign that stated "Gold panning" but we decided we would pass.
Now off down Hiway 89....
Again the rocks were beautifully coloured and the road wound alongside the mountains. Then out onto the plains and back into mountains. Highly recommend this route. Daytime only though!
We arrived back at the Colby house eager for our upcoming trip to Los Algodones, Mexico.
To be continued.....