Sick

I've got some sort of illness that involves a scratchy throat, not having an appetite and a mild fever that makes my cheeks all red. Boo.

Jerome, Arizona

I have a fascination with ghost towns - beit completely deserted or still lived in - I love them the same. Sometimes the ones people live in are much better than the completely deserted because the buildings aren't completely demolished.

Maybe it was the first time my Grandma Scott took my family up to Jerome and into the kaleidescope store that I first fell in love with this town. I can't remember for sure. But, it's a great town. It's built way up on the mountainside. There is barely room for roads let alone the houses that hang over the edges of the mountain side. Mining operations began in this town in 1883, but due to the depression and changing costs of copper the mines were closed in 1953.



During the 60s and 70s artists (or as the locals tell it "the hippies") moved in and began to live in the houses. Many of the houses are falling down, but far more have been restored and are home to the residents.



The main road veers to the right at one point and leads you up to the Gold King Mine & Ghost Town. The guy who owns and operations this museum per say has an unbelievable amount of stuff. There is a working Sawmill that is huge. I believe it was $4 per person and we got to walk around and look at all of the different machinery, vehicles, and shacks full of all sorts of relics.




The museum also has several various animals running around - goats, chickens and a donkey. :)



Finally - here are a couple other pictures I took of metal gates. I was just inspired by them that day.

Roadtrip

Over President's Weekend Jon and I decided to take a roadtrip to Arizona. We were hoping to escape the mountains of snow and cold for a few days. However, since we decided to drive we had a little ways to go until we made it out of Utah.



While driving we decided that we are old souls. This is because we like to take the scenic route and love to stop and find old buildings or other interesting things.



While we were driving we encountered these super birds. I swear they are the size of Zee. I was feeding them teddy grahams so that I could take their picture. The rest of the trip whenever we saw one we joked that they heard we were handing out teddy grahams.



Once we made it to Flagstaff we were surprised to find that we were caught in a snow storm. So much for avoiding the snow. We did endure and most of our time was spent in Sedona and Jerome, where the weather was sunny but definitely jacket weather. My next post will have pictures from Jerome.

On the way home we took US 89 and decided that we would investigate all of the little towns for old cars. By this time my digital camera was full, since I had forgotten to take old pictures off it before we left. But I was able to make enough space to take this picture of Jon stuck in the snow.

New & Old

A few weeks ago Jon and I were down on Broadway checking out Frosty Darling (it's a new kitschy item store) and we decided we would also visit the antique stores. In one of the stores I happened upon this beauty hidden on the bottom of a bookshelf. The owner said he has had it for a few years. Now I know, I have a sewing machine - why would I need one from the 50's. Well, because it's from the 50's. I love my new machine. I haven't had a chance to clean it off yet, but it will be even more beautiful once I do.

Shouldn't you fly south?

There is a flock of Mourning Doves that have decided my backyard is their home. This I don't understand since it's the worst winter we have had in years. But they contentfully hang out in the tree, on the fence and woodwork over the patio. Sometimes while I am working at home I will crack the window to listen to them. This of course drives Larry and Zee nuts because there are birds outside and they can't reach them. To appeasement themselves they have decided that my sewing table is the perfect spot for them to sit and keep an eye on the birds. They just want to make sure the birds stay out of trouble.

New Computer

I finally broke down and bought a new computer. What this means for all of you is more fabulous posts that include pictures. I will be able to once again download pictures from my camera and use them in posts. Woo Hoo!

Happy Valentine's Day

I hope everyone has a wonderful Valentine's Day with their sweeties!