Chatty Goes North
Chatty is headed out of town again. For those of you keeping score, that’s twice in one month – just call her peripatetic (she has always wanted to use that word in a sentence…)
Last time, she went south with Book Girl, this time she's headed north.
Chatty’s good friend N’awlins Nurse has arrived for a visit, which in itself is cause for celebration. Ike having bypassed New Orleans (although NN had to evacuate for Gustav…), she was able to make her trip as scheduled. Of course, our hearts go out to the victims of Ike, but Chatty is really glad her friend didn’t have to evacuate twice in two weeks…
So, NN and Chatty are heading north to see what there is to be seen – and that’s a lot!
On our way up, we may stop in Black Canyon City for brunch at the Four Bees Café. Chatty has heard that this is a funky mom-and-pop place made famous by columnist Paul Harvey about 20 years ago, when he wrote that it had the best coffee and the best and biggest pancakes in the entire country. These pancakes do have quite a reputation - being so large that they hang off a dinner plate - and even hearty trenchermen can rarely eat more than one.
However, there’s another family-run place in Black Canyon City - Byler’s Amish Kitchen - which also gets enthusiastic reviews. They are supposed to have fantastic fresh fruit pies.
Both places get high marks for their biscuits and gravy.
It’s going to be a tough choice – but we are tough gals. If Kid Chilleen’s Bad Ass BBQ is ALSO open when we pass through around 11 am, our choice will be even more difficult.
After we waddle out of whichever restaurant we finally decide upon, we will head up to Mormon Lake for a couple of nights, where Chatty’s cousins have a nice cabin in the middle of a forest. On the way up, we will stop at Montezuma Castle (Indian ruins that are not a castle and have absolutely nothing to do with Montezuma, btw), and the nearby Montezuma Well (ditto).
Mormon Lake is only 30 miles southeast of Flagstaff, where we will be catching a deluxe bus for an all-day trip to the Grand Canyon the next morning.
Chatty is very excited, as is NN, because neither of us has ever been to the Grand Canyon. We’re all about new experiences and spectacular vistas!
We will have lunch at the El Tovar Hotel - itself a historic landmark that is located only 20 feet from the Canyon rim. The view from the dining room ought to be spectacular.
While at the Canyon, Chatty also hopes to locate the historic marker on the South Rim that was “corrected” by those two goofballs who went around the country fixing typos on historic signs with White-Out…and who managed to get themselves fined and barred from all National Parks for a year as a result. Chatty just loves goofballs with a mission!
After the Grand Canyon, we will head south for two nights in Sedona, taking the scenic route through Oak Creek Canyon.
Most of one day will be devoted to the Verde Canyon Railway Tour, which is particularly exciting - because not only is the journey through mountain scenery gorgeous, but they are also rumored to serve liquid refreshments and tasty little bits of things on sticks during our four-hour trip. Most of all, Chatty just LOVES a train ride!
We will head home the “back” way – through Cottonwood, Jerome (which Chatty has heard is a quirky, artistic old mining town), and Prescott. Also known as “Arizona’s Christmas City”, Chatty and NN visited there last December, so we will probably just drive on through this time on our way back to Phoenix.
It’s a full four days, but Chatty knows we will have a blast – and with luck, she may even manage to remember her cameras this time! In fact, she's brushing up on the instructions and may even break out the VIDEO camera on this trip...
Once again, all thanks to The Wiz - who is staying home to watch over “the girls” (Fluffy, Cleo and Toot). Chatty cooked a giant brisket on Friday, and The Wiz can pretty much eat brisket until there is no brisket left to eat (and so can “the girls”), so with that and a few huge tomatoes and some nice rolls he’s set food-wise, at least. Also, he has football Monday night, and his trail bike still needs a bit of tinkering (although it’s running nicely). With luck, he won’t realize Chatty is gone until around noon of the day she gets home *smile*
Chatty will be back in touch over the weekend, when she’s recuperated from her travels.
Until we meet again, Happy Trails!
Last time, she went south with Book Girl, this time she's headed north.
Chatty’s good friend N’awlins Nurse has arrived for a visit, which in itself is cause for celebration. Ike having bypassed New Orleans (although NN had to evacuate for Gustav…), she was able to make her trip as scheduled. Of course, our hearts go out to the victims of Ike, but Chatty is really glad her friend didn’t have to evacuate twice in two weeks…
So, NN and Chatty are heading north to see what there is to be seen – and that’s a lot!
On our way up, we may stop in Black Canyon City for brunch at the Four Bees Café. Chatty has heard that this is a funky mom-and-pop place made famous by columnist Paul Harvey about 20 years ago, when he wrote that it had the best coffee and the best and biggest pancakes in the entire country. These pancakes do have quite a reputation - being so large that they hang off a dinner plate - and even hearty trenchermen can rarely eat more than one.
However, there’s another family-run place in Black Canyon City - Byler’s Amish Kitchen - which also gets enthusiastic reviews. They are supposed to have fantastic fresh fruit pies.
Both places get high marks for their biscuits and gravy.
It’s going to be a tough choice – but we are tough gals. If Kid Chilleen’s Bad Ass BBQ is ALSO open when we pass through around 11 am, our choice will be even more difficult.
After we waddle out of whichever restaurant we finally decide upon, we will head up to Mormon Lake for a couple of nights, where Chatty’s cousins have a nice cabin in the middle of a forest. On the way up, we will stop at Montezuma Castle (Indian ruins that are not a castle and have absolutely nothing to do with Montezuma, btw), and the nearby Montezuma Well (ditto).
Mormon Lake is only 30 miles southeast of Flagstaff, where we will be catching a deluxe bus for an all-day trip to the Grand Canyon the next morning.
Chatty is very excited, as is NN, because neither of us has ever been to the Grand Canyon. We’re all about new experiences and spectacular vistas!
We will have lunch at the El Tovar Hotel - itself a historic landmark that is located only 20 feet from the Canyon rim. The view from the dining room ought to be spectacular.
While at the Canyon, Chatty also hopes to locate the historic marker on the South Rim that was “corrected” by those two goofballs who went around the country fixing typos on historic signs with White-Out…and who managed to get themselves fined and barred from all National Parks for a year as a result. Chatty just loves goofballs with a mission!
After the Grand Canyon, we will head south for two nights in Sedona, taking the scenic route through Oak Creek Canyon.
Most of one day will be devoted to the Verde Canyon Railway Tour, which is particularly exciting - because not only is the journey through mountain scenery gorgeous, but they are also rumored to serve liquid refreshments and tasty little bits of things on sticks during our four-hour trip. Most of all, Chatty just LOVES a train ride!
We will head home the “back” way – through Cottonwood, Jerome (which Chatty has heard is a quirky, artistic old mining town), and Prescott. Also known as “Arizona’s Christmas City”, Chatty and NN visited there last December, so we will probably just drive on through this time on our way back to Phoenix.
It’s a full four days, but Chatty knows we will have a blast – and with luck, she may even manage to remember her cameras this time! In fact, she's brushing up on the instructions and may even break out the VIDEO camera on this trip...
Once again, all thanks to The Wiz - who is staying home to watch over “the girls” (Fluffy, Cleo and Toot). Chatty cooked a giant brisket on Friday, and The Wiz can pretty much eat brisket until there is no brisket left to eat (and so can “the girls”), so with that and a few huge tomatoes and some nice rolls he’s set food-wise, at least. Also, he has football Monday night, and his trail bike still needs a bit of tinkering (although it’s running nicely). With luck, he won’t realize Chatty is gone until around noon of the day she gets home *smile*
Chatty will be back in touch over the weekend, when she’s recuperated from her travels.
Until we meet again, Happy Trails!
Ms Chatty (Chattoix) the Chattueuse should really expound more on Jerome which, I, the BEAGLE can really HOWL is the best overnight vista point in the State of Arizona geographically and the "state" of Arizona spiritually. A sacred little mining town during recent years converted to a sacred little "off the beaten path" tourist mecca. YES, MECCA, be you Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, ET AL, PEACE will find you comforted in JEROME. THIS IS A COMMENT SECTION SO I'LL JUST HOUND upon, why bother to even visit other parts of Arizona if you can hang for several days in JEROME? BUT THEN, what is opinion worth, I'm just a BEAGLE pushing others to a very DOG positive town which is JEROME. Cheers! Winston
Reply to this
oh boy! I am sooooo jealous
Reply to this
Wow, I AM counting, and that's just not fair!! I need to travel and have fun, but am stuck to the grindstone.
Well anyways, glad you're having a great time though... love reading about your exploits!!
Reply to this
I wish I could jett off to AZ to explore the Grand Canyon with you and NN...I think I tell you this every time we talk about AZ but I just want to spend some time there painting. I feel a pull in my soul to go west, go west, go west. And my heart lept when I saw the beauty of your wonderful state as I drove through en route to California several years ago. I hope you have a WONDERFUL time! Don't forget your camera!
Reply to this
This sounds like a wonderful trip!
Somehow, you didn't ask me to come along, but I will resist sulking.
Reply to this
Chatty Hurry back safely. I miss you.
Reply to this
What an awesome itinerary! Have fun, be safe, and take lots of pictures.
Reply to this