This morning at 7 am I am sitting outside. My phone app says it is 78 degrees and today will be sunny and reach 103 this afternoon. Fortunately, we are driving to Prescott today after breakfast, where the high temperature will be a “cool” 87. Prescott is about 100 miles and a two-hour drive northwest of Phoenix. Phoenix is about 1,000 feet above sea level, while Prescott is about one mile, so that is the reason for the cooler temperature.
Birds are singing, the most prominent is the broad-tailed
grackle. Doves are cooing and I hear a sparrow chirping in a nearby tree. The
sky is a clear blue and the mountains to our south are clear and appear strong,
giving the feeling of protection from whatever is out there.
By 10 am we are driving to Prescott, a city of about 45,000
population. About half-way from Phoenix to Prescott we no longer see saguaro cactus.
The landscape reminds us of Mara Region, Tanzania, with the rock formations,
scrub brush, few tall trees, and generally dry conditions. Prescott has a long
history. In the early days when the area was first settled by Europeans,
Prescott was a frontier mining town.
Landis cousin Evie Peck meets us at the door and welcomes us
with hugs and iced tea
. We sit on the outside patio and watch the hummingbirds.
A black-chinned hummingbird (I think) is watching the feeder and chases away another
that comes near, I think it is an Anna’s hummingbird.
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| A unique house design with Thumb Butte in the background. |
We drive up to a lookout over the city with a good view of Thumb Butte, a trademark of Prescott and then to lunch at Prescott Junction. After a rest, we visit two recreation areas, Willow Creek Reservoir and Watson Lake, which is especially scenic with its rocky shorelines.
Finally, we are treated to dinner at the local Olive Garden.
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| Lake Watson, Prescott, Arizona |
Thanks for these updates! Prescott is definitely on my list.
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