When we were in Mesa, in the space of 24 hours, four different people told us that if we were going to be staying in Cottonwood, we MUST drive up to Jerome--once a thriving copper mining town and now a popular destination of wineries and great shops. They warned that the road up was harrying but well worth it. So yesterday, we headed to Jerome. Actually the road to Jerome is not bad, but the road in Jerome is awful. Elevation must change a thousand feet within the small town. Not only that, we drove through the entire town and could not find a place to park. Seriously. We drove on through town and finally could turn around at a scenic view parking area. Back through the hairpins and dropoffs--still no parking--so we left.
So was the trip a waste of time? Not at all. On the way to Jerome, we detoured to the Tuzigoot National Monument, a partially restored ruin of a community built by the Sinagua people in the twelfth century. Excavations began in the 20s and continued in the 30s as a public works project. Many area Indians were forced to work on the project by their poverty, but they objected to disturbing burial remains which eventually brought about a change in policy.
So was the trip a waste of time? Not at all. On the way to Jerome, we detoured to the Tuzigoot National Monument, a partially restored ruin of a community built by the Sinagua people in the twelfth century. Excavations began in the 20s and continued in the 30s as a public works project. Many area Indians were forced to work on the project by their poverty, but they objected to disturbing burial remains which eventually brought about a change in policy.
After our aborted attempt to explore Jerome, we came back through the town of Clarkdale and found lunch at a local restaurant. Across the street sits the Arizona Copper Arts Museum. This was started in 2012 and tells the history of copper as well as exhibits of the multitude of uses for copper. One room is nothing but World War 1 shell casings, one displays copper in architecture including ceilings and light fixtures, one is kitchen utensils, and one examples of distillery uses. The museum in in the old high school and they have done a nice job of noting the previous use of the space--the brewery and distillery exhibit, for example, is in the old principal’s office.
We made brief stops at a couple of Cottonwood wineries and then returned to the campground. By this time it appeared rain was imminent although nothing happened until about 8:00 when a downpour materialized, followed byt very high and gusty winds. This continued through the night but finally moved out in the wee hours. This morning all is calm and there are still a few tents on the hilltop above us that seem to have come through unscathed. Hardy souls.
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