Roaming around Jerome ...!

So last weekend was the 4th July (Independence Day ... ahem) holiday weekend.  Given that it isn't really a holiday that us Brits celebrate (for obvious reasons!),  Mr B found himself with an extra day off and as he clearly can't sit still for more than a couple of hours before he starts getting twitchy, he suggested we go off on a daytrip somewhere. 

"Someone said that Jerome is really pretty and a must see in Arizona ... " *post script: when I find out who it was they will be getting a sharp poke in the eye!*

After checking maps and determining it was just over a 2 hour drive from here, we decided it was do-able and that we could also tick off Prescott as well on the way back. 

Obviusly moody teenager was thrilled.  

"Can I just stay here?" he asked hopefully.

"No!"

After the usual sulking and muttering, he resigned himself to the fact that there was no getting out of it and assumed the now familiar 'Mission Control' position in the back of the car - headphones firmly clamped to ears, phone on seat beside him and games console in hand ..

"Help! ... I can still hear them ..."

Mr B and I sang along to classic rock tunes on the radio (which did nothing to improve moody teenager's mood and consequently just made us sing louder, lol!) and after climbing higher and higher along steep mountain roads, we eventually arrived in Jerome, some 5,000 ft above sea level.  

Views on the climb up to Jerome

Jerome 

Once known as the wickedest town in the west, Jerome was a copper mining camp, growing from a settlement of tents to a roaring mining community in the late 19th century.  Four disastrous fires destroyed large sections of the town during its early history apparently, but one noteable section still standing is the “Cribs District" where all the buildings were part of Jerome’s ill-famed “prostitution row.” Lol.  Sadly, the same can't be said for Jennie's Place though ... doesn't sound like she had a lot of luck!

Oh dear ...

Other than the usual array of touristy gift shops and eateries, there was not a lot else to see in Jerome (unless you wanted to tour the copper mining museum ... No? ... me neither). From what I saw, it seemed to be a haven for drop outs, aging hippies and 'new age therapists'.  They clearly did a roaring trade in tie-dye t-shirts and bead necklaces as nearly every other person was wearing one! 

We did manage to find the usual 'treasures' though whilst poking around the shops ...

Camouflage hat anyone? (nice photobomb Mr B!)

and the piece de resistance ... 

Christmas lights made from bullet casings ...

So in true Barlow family outing fashion, half an hour and one ice cream later we were back in the car.  Next stop Prescott.

As we drove into the town square, we discovered a bustling arts & crafts festival in full swing.  Yay!  (Mr B and moody teenager clearly thrilled).  However, (after spending 20 minutes looking for a parking space), closer inspection revealed more 'new age' therapies, sickly smelling hand made soaps, tie dye t shirts, beaded necklaces (ah ... that explains a lot) popcorn and candy floss.  Add to that a host of down and outs with dogs on bits of string lying across the pavements swigging bottles of beer and you could be forgiven for thinking you had inadvertently stumbled into Bognor (OK, maybe a bit harsh ... it wasn't quite that bad).  Hmmmm.  Maybe a spot of lunch then?

You could have knocked me down with a feather when moody teenager passed on the bacon cheeseburger in favour of a chicken ceasar salad, with the comment 

"Well you are always saying I should eat more healthily ... I'm a-dressing the situation ... hahaha!"

Groan.  Sadly that wasn't the end of the pun-fest which he had clearly been working on all through lunch.

"Sorry ... That joke was a bit Cheesy.  Lettuce continue ..." Terrible.  

Once we had all finished and another equally moody teenager had brought the bill ...

"Time to leaf" ... Ok, stop it now.

Before we left Prescott though, I wanted to have a look at the historic Victorian houses in Mount Vernon Avenue, which I have to say were absolutely beautiful.  I would love to live in a house like that.  I could just picture myself sitting in one of the old rocking chairs on the front porch sipping a nice cool drink (although it would NOT be iced tea ... bleugh!).  I did manage to snap a few pictures, however at most of the houses the occupants seemed to be congregated on their front porches with family and friends celebrating the holiday so wasn't sure they would be thrilled at the prospect of some mad British woman lurking in the shrubbery trying to take their picture ...

Later when we got home, I remarked how nice it had been nice to spend the day together despite the disappointing destination.

"Yes..."  remarked now not so moody teenager reunited once more with the wifi "... and we had a nice Rome around after lunch" **rolls on floor laughing**

"What's funny?"

"Caesar salad? .....Rome? Hahahahaha!"

OMG!! And on that note ...

TTFN and see you next time!
Bev x