Having Fun!

Hurray the Gift Shop is closed and sealed up for the winter. So...we took a 4 day weekend to just enjoy ourselves. Our first stop ended up being Mormon Lake Lodge. We had a great dinner and decided to spend the night there. It is a Forever Resort Property so we got a $125 a night cabin with fireplace for only $19! Yea...well, we first booked a $90 room but it had not been cleaned so they had to give us the next room...the cabin with fireplace for the $90. And then in the morning at check-out they gave us a really great employee discount.

It was a very nice place to visit and we will have to research it more as they have so much there to do and for employment too. http://www.mormonlakelodge.com/



That was Thursday.

Friday morning we decided to go to Camp Verde and check that area out. We had reservations for Saturday at the Verde Canyon Railroad for a 4 hour train ride. We took the back roads and enjoyed seeing new places and taking our time. Our first stop in Camp Verde was going to be Walmart but at the gas station they informed us that was 16 miles away in Cottonwood. So off to Cottonwood to find Walmart. We went past "Out of Africa" and decided we would check that out. So we find Walmart, get the necessary things we need, decide to find a room and get some lunch.

We got to Out of Africa at 3PM and really enjoyed the 2 hours we were there. We hopped on the shuttle to go see the animals get fed. There were lions, tigers and bears! Oh My!! Hyenas, leopards, zebras, giraffes, camels and so many more species that I can't remember the names of them all.







After the feedings we got to go inside part of the sanctuary and see up close some of the animals. We fed Tebo, the 17' giraffe, carrots and the ostriches had to come and get their fare share too. Even some of the zebras came up to get their share.








Saturday morning we get up and go find the train station. Just in time too, since the Christmas Parade with Santa was going to be closing off the road we needed. We got there a bit early so we went over to Tuzigoot National Monument to see some ancient ruins.


Finally, the train ride! It's a 4 hour ride from Clarkdale to Perkinsville and back. We went right up the Verde Canyon.

I really like the differences in the rocks. It just makes one wonder what forces were at work to change the rock so much and just how long did it take to build up the different layers.

For supper we went to the Blazin-M-Ranch for a cowboy dinner and show. We had a great time too. I haven't laughed that hard in years. Three tables in a row where we were sitting happen to have all New Englanders! There was even 6 of us from NH. There was a Jack Edwards from Meredith who worked at the Meredith Center Fire Dept. Small world!!!

On our way home we drove thru Sedona. We were not impressed, to many "rich" homes that look the same and the Red Rock to me is not as pretty as the mixed colors of the Grand Canyon. I guess I'm just spoiled now that I've lived here at the North Rim for so long. :)

Upon reaching home, we get the truck unloaded and guess what? It starts to snow! What timing. Now that we are home, it can snow as much as it wants!!


What a great weekend.