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| View from the Chapel of the Holy Cross, Sedona, AZ |
Picture this: a jaw-dropping backdrop of vibrant red rocks
and lush patches of green, with dramatic cliffs stretching toward an impossibly
blue sky—and smack dab in the middle, there’s some goofball (yours truly) who
somehow wandered into the frame. If you can manage to look past my “best
attempt at majestic posing,” the scenery is absolutely breathtaking. This photo
was snapped at the legendary Chapel of the Holy Cross, which seems to sprout
straight from the crimson cliffs of Sedona, Arizona. Built high above the
desert floor and nestled into the rugged red rock, the Chapel of the Holy Cross
isn’t just a church, it’s a marvel of modernist architecture. Completed in
1956, inspired by the Empire State Building, this striking Roman Catholic
chapel was the vision of Marguerite Brunswig Staude, a rancher and sculptor.
The structure’s bold, 90-foot iron cross soars upward, perfectly integrated
into the sheer rock face, creating a seamless union of human creativity and
nature’s artistry. Surrounded by panoramic vistas of iconic formations like
Courthouse Butte and Cathedral Rock, and overlooking sprawling juniper forests
and sunlit mesas, the chapel is celebrated as a place of peace and spiritual
renewal. Many visitors (myself included) leave feeling uplifted, as if the very
landscape is radiating a transformative kind of awe.
Now that I’ve set the scene, let’s catch you up on the rest
of our adventure. After heading north from Tucson through Phoenix, we landed in
Cottonwood, AZ. While Sedona dazzles with its world-famous rock formations and
luxury resorts, Cottonwood offers a more relaxed vibe, historic charm, and an
easygoing pace just 28 miles from Sedona’s hustle. The real jackpot? Our
friends Rachelle and Kevin were waiting for us at the campground, ready to turn
our trip into an unforgettable group getaway. We laughed over rounds of
cribbage, feasted together, played some golf, and packed as much exploring as
we could into our week in the Verde Valley.
Let’s be honest, when you retire and hit the road in an RV,
life takes on a whole new rhythm, one that’s blissfully relaxed and entirely on
your own terms. Lucky for us, Kevin and Rachelle
had perfected the art of
leisurely travel too, so every plan was negotiable and every snack break
mandatory. Sedona was our playground for the day, and we made the most of it
together: hopping on a trolley tour to gawk at the red rocks, stopping at every
overlook for “just one more” photo (spoiler: there were a thousand more), and
wandering in and out of quirky Main Street shops. The highlight? Scoring a spot
at the front of the line when the hot Mexican restaurant, Eloté Café opened. Nothing
brings out our competitive side like the promise of legendary guacamole and
margaritas. By the end of the day, our camera rolls were bursting with so many pictures of the same mountain from slightly different angles that even our
phones probably rolled their digital eyes.
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| View from atop Airport Messa |
Sure, it’s wonderful having our play date pals just a
stone’s throw away, nothing beats the camaraderie and laughter of group
adventures. But there’s something equally rewarding about stepping out solo and
soaking up the natural beauty that surrounds us. One morning, with Judy feeling
a bit under the weather, I seized the chance to explore Dead Horse Ranch State
Park on my own, just outside Cottonwood. Hiking the Raptor Hill Trail that
morning, I wandered across the high-desert plateau and was rewarded with
sweeping 180-degree views of the Rio Verde Valley. Dead Horse Ranch State Park
is a haven for outdoor lovers, boasting a network of scenic trails that offer
extraordinary vistas of the valley’s unique landscape, lush greenery, and
rolling hills. If you’re curious what those breathtaking views look like, watch
the video!
When
it comes to unforgettable group adventures, our night at the Blazin' M Ranch
completely stole the show. Thanks to Judy’s top-notch activities-planning
skills, we snagged an extra special treat by joining the history tour on the
ranch’s quirky little train, hosted by none other than
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| Trying on Cowboy Hat |
the legendary Jody Drake
herself. Part historian, part train conductor, part grand dame of the Old West,
Jody Drake wove stories that brought the ranch’s colorful past to life and got
us early access to all the action. From the moment we rolled into the recreated
frontier town, it was like stepping onto a movie set where every detail
screamed “Wild West” adventure. Shops, a swinging-door saloon, and hands-on
activities beckoned at every turn. Naturally, our first order of business was
the saloon, because, let’s be honest, nothing kicks off a night of cowboy
antics like a round of cocktails. With a little liquid courage in our systems,
we tackled the axe throwing range. Some (like Judy) wielded the axe like
seasoned lumberjacks, while others… well, let’s just say the axes had minds of
their own! Fueled by laughter and maybe a second trip to the saloon, we took on
bull riding (mechanical, but still!), tested our aim at the air-gun range, and
tried our hand at calf roping. The promise of a BBQ rib and chicken dinner
saved the day, and we feasted like ranch hands before catching our breath
during the Blazin’ M’s musical comedy show, which brought down the house with
toe-tapping tunes and plenty of chuckles. The Blazin’ M Ranch delivered the
ultimate all-in, over-the-top Old West extravaganza. One we won’t soon forget
(and probably can’t repeat without a nap first).
t
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| Riding the Verde Canyon Railroad |
It was at the Blazin’ M Ranch where we got a hot tip from
the bartender about booking last-minute tickets on the Verde Canyon Railroad. The
next day, Judy went into full booking mode and snagged us tickets for an
afternoon train ride. We set off from Clarkdale’s century-old depot, ready for
a four hour, 40 mile round-trip adventure with Rachelle and Kevin. The train’s
vintage, climate-controlled cars offered plush living room-style seating,
complete with bar service and a complimentary charcuterie board, making the
journey as comfortable as it was scenic. We had full access to an open-air railcar,
where we soaked in sweeping views of Arizona’s “other Grand Canyon”, a
landscape of striking red rock cliffs, the winding Verde River, a dramatic
734-foot tunnel, and abundant wildlife. As the train hugged the river’s curves
beneath cottonwood and sycamore trees, we felt like travelers from a bygone
era, marveling at the canyon’s beauty even as rain streaked the windows. During our train journey, we captured photos of stunning scenery, sipped
on coffee-flavored drinks, and shared laughs over stories from our RV trips.
The very next day found us leaving the green valley of Cottonwood
and heading for the winding, storied streets of Jerome, AZ. With Rachelle and
Kevin again by our side, our next adventure beckoned, this time, diving into
the rugged past of Arizona’s most legendary mining town. Jerome, Arizona,
clings precariously to the face of Cleopatra Hill, its narrow, winding streets
zigzagging up steep inclines and offering jaw-dropping vistas across the Verde
Valley. Jerome was a booming copper mining camp in the late 1800s,
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| Douglas Mansion in Jerome State Historic Park |
a place
where saloons and miners’ shacks balanced on terraces above the valley, and
where life was as lively as it was dangerous. When the mines finally closed in
1953, Jerome nearly disappeared as many old mining towns did. Jerome was reborn
in the 60’s & 70’s as a haven for artists, musicians, and free spirits
drawn to its quirky charm and haunting beauty. Today, Jerome thrives as a
National Historic Landmark, its hills dotted with vibrant galleries, cozy
wineries, eclectic restaurants, and fascinating remnants of its mining past, all
set against the backdrop of stunning mountain views. But no visit to Jerome is
complete without a trip to the Douglas Mansion at Jerome State Historic Park. The
mansion is a museum that preserves the town's storied mining history. We spent
hours exploring the detailed exhibits of mining tools and equipment,
interactive 3D models of the underground mines, and informative videos that
brought Jerome’s wild past to life. |
| Old Mining Equipment, Jerome State Historic Park |
It’s wild how a week can slip by in a blink when you’re
surrounded by good friends and laughter. Our seven days in Cottonwood, AZ felt
more like a joyful blur than a stretch of time. But as all wonderful chapters
do, this one had to close. After one last shared meal with Kevin and Rachelle,
we hugged goodbye the next morning, each of us turning our wheels in different
directions. While they pointed their RV south towards Phoenix, we set our
sights east, beginning the long journey back towards New England. Sharing
stories and laughs with friends is great, but it's also exciting to plan future
adventures, whether reconnecting in 2027 in California or finding new paths to
meet along the way. That’s the real joy of this RV life: shared
adventures, the promise of future reunions, and knowing that every goodbye is
simply a “see you down the road,” as we tell…
the Rest of the Story.
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