Days 161-164/365

Friday, June 10
         So... what was the excitement on Friday? First off it was "Type O- Hero Day" ... well, that's not really what it was called... but that's what the day was for me and my Jene'-twin. We had blood donation appointments. She got to try a double unit donation.. really cool. Really technical. Really COLD, well... she got cold. I just gave a regular ol' single unit.

Welcome to the Gun Show.... you're bound to be disappointed. LOL

Then Ben and I had to get everything ready to go for our Anniversary trip. Dropped the kids off in Benson with Ben's parents.. then we were off!! The sunset that evening was pretty.... and I was able to get one good photo of it (while driving, of course)

Maybe I should clarify, BEN was driving, not me!

We got to our hotel around 9pm... and let me just say... that adds to the atmosphere of the supposedly "haunted" hotel. But after we got inside it was all good. :)

Saturday, June 11
            We started out the day early... really kinda early. By 7:30 we were out walking the streets. And just so you know... this is Jerome.. It's a mining town built literally on the side of the mountain.

View of Jerome from the Train Depot

Our hotel was pretty much at the top of the town. So when we went walking, it wasn't just a stroll... it was actually walking up and down steep grades. Really a good workout! The one thing we didn't realize was, this sleepy little town didn't open up until 8:30 or later. But it was nice to wander the streets without crowds! By 9 we were hot and thirsty, so Ben went into this cool little cafe' to get us iced coffees.

Then more walking! :) This town is really neat and full of character! It was a lot of fun wandering around with no set plan or destination. But all that walking worked up a huge appetite. So we headed to the Haunted Hamburger for lunch. AWESOME food!! And cool drink glasses. Actually, not glasses at all, but Mason jars!

So after lunch.. it was time to head out (by car this time) to Clarkdale to do the Verde Canyon Rail Road tour.

5 minute "pit stop".. actually where they do weddings on board!!

Great trip!!!! After we got back to the Depot, and back to Jerome it was time for dinner. And let me tell you, I didn't think EVER in my life that I would spend over $50 for a meal. And that was just mine!! Our total bill for the evening (including tip) was $145. HOLY JAMOLES! ;) But the food was pretty darn good!


Sunday, June 12
            HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my bro-n-law, Joey! He hit the big 15. ;) And this was also the day our little vacation ended. We left the hotel around 8. Headed into town for one more local meal... so we hit up the English Kitchen- well, it's actually Bobby D's BBQ pit... but the original name of the eatery (also still painted on the building) was the English Kitchen. More good food. By 9 we were headed out of town. We took a scenic drive through Prescott Valley and Prescott (yes, they are 2 different places) to get home, instead of staying on boring interstate the whole time. Got to Benson a little after 1. Had lunch there, hung out some with the fam, then headed on home.
Bummer to say the least, that when we got to Whetstone/Huachuca City area, we saw that our Huachuca Mountains were on fire. :(

And it just got worse into the night....

view from my rooftop

And unfortunately, it's still going.

Monday, June 13
            Monday was a busy day as well... and I didn't play as much "home catchup" as I should have. I went walking/jogging with Mom and Jene' + rugrats & Jack. Then after coming  home and getting cleaned up,
I hit up the local craft store to rent a couple of pans and get a few things for Rebekah's birthday cake. Then it was out to lunch at Pizza Hut for their buffet. Home again for naps and baking. Then out to mom's for family dinner. Unfortunately, I got a call from Ben saying he was working on the mountain (yes, the same mountain where the fire is) and to not expect him home until dark. So dinner at mom's was DELISH. Dessert was good too. Then home. And bed.

Is that catch up enough??.... :)