I was born and raised in Arizona and I wanted to share my state with all of you, either living here now or maybe moving here in the future. Most people have no idea of the beauty this state has to offer and the diversity. I hope you enjoy the verbiage and photos of Arizona. If you have any questions or would like more information for what you are about to experience please call us, Bob and Judy Vogel, 602-571-2532. We are very proud of our state and we hope you find this information informative. 

Arizona is a state with so many hidden and unknown treasures. No other state can be as diverse as Arizona from north to south, east to west, in my humble opinion.  We have moved so many people from around the world, here to the Phoenix metro area, and all are so amazed at what Arizona has to offer. Most people think that Arizona is a massive sand dune or a dry barren desert. I am going to share with you some of the most beautiful and breathtaking areas in the world that are right here in this state. If you do visit some of these areas bring the digital camera with extra memory.

 I am going to divide the state into five sections. This is section two. Please do not skip over any sections as they all offer a wide variety of beautiful scenery and wonder.

North Central Arizona and its natural beauty:

This area is located between Flagstaff and Phoenix. Phoenix and the Grand Canyon demands so much of the world’s attention but this area is very special and offers so much not to take a side trip, on the way to the Canyon, or take a couple day excursion and explore. This area will include Prescott, Jerome, The Verde Valley, and the unforgettable, “Sedona.”

Prescott is known as “Everyone’s Hometown”. Prescott is located in the Bradshaw Mountains with an elevation of 5,400 feet. With this elevation the town has four-seasons with relatively mild winters. Historical average annual precipitation is 19 inches, average snowfall is 25 inches. Prescott is home to the historically area known as “Whiskey Row”. This row of bars and restaurants, are a fun place to meet friends and have some good old country fun in places like “The Palace”, Arizona’s oldest restaurant and bar. The Town of Prescott, host many annual events but none more famous than Frontier Days, the World’s Oldest Rodeo, since 1888. Within 10 minutes of downtown anyone interested in enjoying the outdoors can do so at Lynx Lake and Watson Lake in the cool ponderosa pine forest. The entire area comes together with Prescott, Prescott Valley and Chino Valley to make up the “Tri City” area. This Tri City area has worked extensively to keep the Old West and neighborly feel yet keeping up with modern times. The modern times offer schools such as Embry Riddle Aeronautical-Astronautic Engineering School, Yavapai College, Northern Arizona University-Prescott Campus, and Prescott College. The public school district has several schools in the “Excelling” range including Tri-City Prep High School, a charter school.

The Verde Valley consists of Camp Verde, Cottonwood and Clarksdale. The common thread that ties this area together is the Verde River. Camp Verde is located in the geographical center of Arizona. The area is located 100 miles north of Phoenix, 40 miles south of Flagstaff and 50 miles from Prescott. It is also known as the “Gateway to the Verde Valley”. Still a rural farming and western ranching community, you will find the town friendly and relaxed.  The weather is unique, at an elevation of 3,147 feet and surrounded by mountains, the weather is mild both summer and winter.  The mountains shelter the area and the summer rains make the valley green and lush. The Spanish word for green is verde, therefore giving Camp Verde and the Verde Valley their names.  Montezuma Castle is a fun and educational site to see while in Camp Verde. The castle is one of the best preserved cliff dwellings in North America. The 20-room, five level apartment-like structures are built in a natural recess in a limestone cliff, which is 100 feet above the ground. To see how advanced the Indians were in designing and building such a structure is amazing for so long ago.

Cottonwood is known as the “Old Town City”. In 1879 it received its name from a circle of 16 cottonwood trees growing about one-quarter of a mile away from the Verde River. Cottonwood is located between Prescott and Sedona. At an elevation of 3,314 the weather is mild all year round. The area is surrounded by jagged mountains on the south, east and west and to the north by mesas and buttes. The town has grown from a small farming community to the Verde Valley’s population center. Close by one can catch The Verde Canyon Railroad from Clarksdale. This is a wonderful experience to visit the entire area and view the scenic spots and wildlife. Along the way visit the Tuzigoot National Monument. This is another Indian ruin from the Sinagua Tribe. Tuzigoot is a small but wonderful, terraced pueblo perched on a 120-foot-high ridge. It blends in elegantly with the contours of the land, overlooking the lush Tavasci Marsh to the East and facing the imposing Black Hills to the West.  At the height of its occupancy, the Tuzigoot pueblo had 110 rooms, including second and third story structures. Entry was by ladders through openings in the roof. The Sinaguans mysteriously disappeared from the Verde Valley in the 1400s.

Jerome has been given several different names in the past including “America’s Most Vertical City” and “Largest Ghost Town in America”. In 1903 it was given the name of “The Wickedest Town in Arizona” according to the New York Sun. Jerome is located high on top of Cleopatra Hill between Prescott and the Verde Valley at an elevation of 5,200. Jerome was a thriving copper mining town in its early years producing 3 million pounds of copper per month. But after the demand for copper decreased after World War II Phelps Dodge closed the mine in 1953. The town was then promoted as a historic ghost town by the approximately 50 to 100 people that remained in town. In 1967 Jerome was designated a National Historic District by the federal government. Today Jerome is a thriving tourist and artist community. A few of the sites you will not want to miss includes the Jerome Winery, the Jerome Grand Hotel, the “Cribs District”, Power Box Church, the Douglas Mansion, the Gold King Mine, and the Jerome Historic Mine Museum. You will want to have lunch at The Jerome Palace/Haunted Hamburger. It is always busy so expect a wait. 

Sedona is a must see. I guarantee it is like no other place you have experienced. This area is a stunning array of red sandstone formations, the red rocks of Sedona. The formations appear to glow in brilliant orange and red when illuminated by the rising and setting sun. A few formations to look for are Bell Rock, Table Top Mountain, Cathedral Rock and Boynton Canyon. Sedona is situated at the base of the Mogollon Rim and at the mouth of the spectacular Oak Creek Canyon. Oak Creek Canyon is north of Sedona and has its own dramatic beauty with swimming holes, natural rock slides all in a cool refreshing forest. Another area to visit while in the area is The Chapel of the Holy Cross. The views from the church are amazing. The USA's Weekend Travel Report named Sedona Arizona as “The Most Beautiful Place in America”. Sedona is a must see and offers a romantic get away or just a relaxing retreat. Conde Nast Magazine claims that L’Auberge de Sedona is among “the best places to stay in the whole world”. Travel and Leisure Magazine named L’Auberge de Sedona as “one of the best romantic getaways in the world. Pictures will give one an idea of the beauty of the area but only a visit, in person, can truly make a person appreciate the incredible beauty. Again I must say if one ever questions if there is a God please visit this area and the question will be answered. The only words that describe this area are words like incredible, awesome and breath taking.

With the beauty and fun sites to tour I hope you will make this trip a priority for an Arizona weekend trip. The Indian Tribes in this area are the Yavapai-Apache Nation and the Yavapai-Prescott Tribe.