Chocolate Anyone?

Apache Junction. Highs in the 90s, lows in the lower 70s. 

I've been back from traveling for a week, so it's time for another experience with the Girls. And what better than a tour of a candy factory.

Yes, there is a candy factory in Glendale. Cerreta's Candy Company that was founded in 1968 by Jim Cerreta Sr. and is still a family owned business. 

 

 The recipes used for their candies are the original recipes and the candies are still made by hand using vintage machinery. The chocolate beans are aged for six years to get the right combination of acidity and and sweetness. Kind of a mix between European and American chocolate.  

  

French Mint is the most popular candy they sell.  I'm not really a mint person but even I have to admit, this candy is good. 

They offer 1/2 hour tours with prices ranging between $12 and $16. We took the $16 tour which included us being allowed to make our own candy bar.  

 

Our tour guide 

Those blue basket are for the wrappers we took off of all the samples we got to try. And there were a lot of goodies. She explained how the machines worked and which candies were made on each machine. 

 

Now prepare to drool. We each made our own candy bar. And yes, they are as good as they look.

Marilyn's candy bar

Pat's 

Mine

If you are interested, they have a 300 lb football for just $10,000.

They also sell some of the best tasting popcorn I've ever had. It comes in 3 lb bags (which is a lot of popcorn).

 We just may have to schedule another tour next winter.

Jerome and Beyond

 After leaving the state park, we stopped to check out the sliding jail. The jail was part of a larger structure built in 1905 and made from wood and tin. In began sliding in 1938 when the mountain it sat on was blasted with dynamite. It slid 225 feet and in 2017 the Jerome Historical Society took over control of the jail and plan to eventually restore it.

This next picture is from the Wikipedia page on the jail.

Next up we decided to head up to main street. Paul was able to find a great parking spot right on main in Jerome. 

 

We wandered in and out of the stores looking at all the wonderful craftsmanship. It's really good that I live in an RV because I have no place to put anything which keeps my spending under control. 

 

Now this is interesting

I fell in love with a telephone wire plate. However, I could not think of one place that I could put it where anyone who came to visit could enjoy it. I wish I would have taken a picture of it, but I didn't. This picture is taken from Borrego Outfitters web page and it gives you an idea of what telephone wire plates look like.

So many places to eat so we decided on The Miner's Cafe. Good choice. I only took one picture which doesn't do it justice, but it's down the hill off of main and then down a few steps to the outdoor patio which has two tables that each sit two people. I had the Jerome Street Tacos and Paul had the Caprese Sandwich. 

 

After the delicious lunch, we headed back to the car. Time for some pictures of the scenery in this beautiful part of Arizona.

Tuzigoot National Monument - we did not stop here. It sits up the hill just east of Clarkdale. The pueblo has 110 rooms built by the Sinagua people. 

 

Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon

 

Aren't you glad that when we are sight seeing, I often forget to take more pictures. 

We had a full day and it was time to go to Camp Verde to the Day's Inn. The guy at the front desk recommended we go to La Casita for dinner. Dinner was fabulous. We would definitely return if we're in the area. 

We return to Apache Junction in the morning and Paul will get ready to head north to Minnesota for the summer. (He's already there so you can tell how far behind I am in posting the blog.) 

Jerome - A Thriving Ghost Town

 I cannot believe how good the weather has been. Cool mornings but pleasant afternoons.

After our dinner at the Palace, we called it a night and went back to our hotel rooms. I know I was ready for peace and quiet and a good book or some tv. We agreed to meet about 7:30 a.m. in the lobby for breakfast.  

After breakfast we headed to Jerome. This post is going to be a lot of pictures. 

 

 Jerome was a copper mining town founded in 1876 and built on Cleopatra Hill between Prescott and Sedona. During it's heyday, Jerome was the fourth largest city in Arizona with a peak population of around 15,000. Today, Jerome is home to an artist colony (of around 450 people), which attracts tourists from around the world.

Our first stop was the Jerome State Historic Park. Highly recommend that you make this your first stop also. 

James S. Douglas built the mansion on the hill which is now a museum at the Park. He designed the house as a hotel for mine investors as well as his own family

 

The house had a wine cellar, a billiard room, a marble shower, steam heat, and a central vacuum system, as well as an extensive library. 

Central Vacuum System

Square Grand Piano which was popular during the 19th Century.

The Library

The Carbonator - used to make carbonated water for soft drinks. 

The video presentation was really well done showing the history of Jerome and the mining days. Definitely worth taking the time to watch it.

The views from the museum grounds were amazing. The flags were flying at half mast to pay homage to the death of Pope Francis.

The Little Daisy Hotel was built in 1918 up on the hillside. It was used as housing for the workers of the Little Daisy Mine. Closed in 1938, the building was stripped for salvage.

The Mexican Methodist Church was built in 1939 out of scrap lumber and discarded dynamite boxes. It became known as the Powder Box Church but is now a private residence.

I still have more to post about Jerome and the surrounding area, but that will wait for another day.