John Wise

Driving north on the 17 freeway today, the weather is at times rainy, at others partly cloudy, and occasionally the heavens open to deep blue skies with rolling white-topped clouds that hang low over the earth preparing to lay down their rains again. It’s Grandpa Herbert here with me along for the ride; our first stop is at Young’s Farm in Dewey, Arizona, just outside of Prescott.

Young’s Farm has been around since the 1940s, and for a lot of residents, it is a landmark. The farm is also a tradition for many families come Thanksgiving as this is where thousands of people from the Phoenix area will get their fresh turkey. Of course, not just Phoenicians visit the farm, but the local population has come to depend on this little outpost of an age quickly disappearing. My grandfather and I made the journey to pick up their famous potpies.

Edit: The farm permanently closed on January 1, 2007, a year after my grandfather passed away.

Not only do we pick up a month’s supply of turkey, chicken, and beef pies, but we also stop in at the Young’s Farm Family Restaurant for a bite to eat. I have the chicken potpie, and Grandpa has a hamburger, which he’s certain is one of the best he’s ever had. We don’t stay long today, not with a backseat full of potpies. Then again, we haven’t begun our return trip to Phoenix yet, either. Instead, we go north over Mingus Mountain on our way to Jerome.

Mingus Mountain takes us up to over 7,000 feet and into the snow line. Highway Alt 89 from Prescott Valley to Jerome is a beautiful scenic road that can be a little too narrow and steep for those suffering from vertigo. The road remained clear, with occasional rain and some strong winds. The Sonoran desert landscape makes its appearance below the trees on our descent. Visible in the distance is the Verde Valley with the communities of Clarkdale and Cottonwood. Next to the road, we pass cacti, scrub, grasses, and highly mineralized rocks.

Minerals are what brought the first settlers to the side of this mountain where the tiny community of Jerome clings to life. Twisting mountain roads finally deliver us to Jerome. If it weren’t for the view, this little village would easily have slipped into ghost town status. Art Galleries, small restaurants, and the occasional Bed’n’Breakfast now make this old mining town a contender for the imaginations of tourists looking for a feel of the old west.

The town is really nothing more than a few switchbacks quickly descending off the mountain slope. Main Street is essentially two one-way streets with a cut-over between the two. A short two-way section runs in and out of town. Fragile facades, crumbling abandoned buildings, and old hotels grafted onto steep slopes lend great character to Jerome and should be on any visitor’s list of places to visit on their vacation here in Arizona. No time to stop for major sightseeing for us today; this was a pass-through on our way to Sedona. On the drive up from Phoenix, Grandpa had asked about the status of Oak Creek. Oak Creek has been in the news quite a bit lately due to the heavy rains we have been having this Winter. Therefore, I had decided in Prescott that we would make the short trip to Sedona to check on the little creek.

The weather is half cooperating with us, providing enough glimpses of the sun and sky to offer some breathtaking views. Entering Sedona from the southwest, the sun has come out just enough to prod the reds to jump off these famous rocks, which draw people from around the world. Most of the other famous features residing in this mystical landscape are darkened behind the shadows of bad weather. Even in the rain and grey clouds, Sedona, Arizona, is a spectacular place. From the amount of traffic here, it would seem enthusiasm from the visitors is not dampened by the rains.

Oak Creek is running high with more water than I, or my grandfather has ever seen within its banks. Waterfalls cascade over the mountainsides, adding to the swollen stream. The parking areas up into Oak Creek Canyon are mostly empty, save for the die-hards who are pulling into Slide Rock State Park. We only drive 7 miles into the canyon before turning around. While beautiful, a little bit more sun in the canyon would have made for some great photos. It is getting late, and we now have a 100-mile drive home. Leaving Sedona, the clouds have given way to create the landscape, which became my Photo of the Day soon, though we are on the 17 freeway driving south towards Phoenix.

A pit stop at the McGuireville rest area, along with a photo of Grandpa standing amongst the poisonous snakes and insects, leaves us refreshed and ready for the rest of the drive south. The afternoon sun pokes between heavy clouds while rain falls in the distance. Approaching Sunset Point rest area, a scene is on display for mere moments, making for perfect closure to a great day out with Herbie.

Sunset Point.