chapter 473

5/21-24/2017

Payson - Camp Verde - Jerome

southwest territories part 4

We altered our game plan, skipping a stay in Hopi country and went further south to Payson. We travel through the largest American Indian Reservation of the Navajos. We not speak with forked tongue since we minority. Tonto State Park was the main attraction in Payson but it was all too much like our NY mountains so we cut it short. Colleen's cell phone was on the blitz so the local Verizon store began a 4 hour picture backup procedure. To fill in the down time we hit the Mazatzal Casino run by the Tonto Apaches. This name was used by he Lone Ranger's sidekick even though his tribe was not southwestern. Geronimo was based well south of here being a Chiricahua Apache.

Neither of us likes casinos but it was there. We had a one dollar bet limit. She won $1.75, upon cashing out the Pakistani cashier said we get free $10 credits if we sign up as members. Colleen got $20 because it was her birthday month. She proceeds to win $25 more.

Buffalo Bills Wild Wings lunch at Payson

Had nice lunch in a western honky tonk kind of place in town. Sadly we had missed the local rodeo by a day.

Cherrokee Don at Western Village in Payson

We next hit the Western Village in Payson where Don (1/4 Cherokee) explains how owner Sue Malinski's family has been a major player in the world market for purple Amethysts. They show up in Tiffany's on NY and the Crown Jewels of England. The local woman and her brother from Quebec were both serious buyers. I was merely awaiting Don's advice to potential travel spots. Collen did buy some ear rings. These stores had such authentic character and variety of goods. Could have been a whole chapter by itself.

Did I mention that everyone was friendly and congenial on this trip. It's the Cowboy way.

We went to Camp Verde on a whim. Camp Verde used to be Fort Verde a miliary outpost overseeing the Apache Wars. We we checking into our $90 Comfort Inn but it was sub standard so we moved out to the Cliff Castle Casino where the internet discount was a $70 room. Upon checking in they gave it to us for $50 because we hadn't confirmed on line and it included a $4 big breakfast buffet. Of course we got our free $10 betting coupons each free nice T shirts and playing cards for signing in as members and Colleen proceeded to win more money. I always go thru the free money and quit - hate those machines. It is run by the local Yavapai Apache Nations. Photgraphy inside verboten, but I took a chance on one quick shot, what's the worst that could that could happen.

Only felt like beer and chips for dinner in our room after eating too many heavy meals. Colleen picked up a little hot dog at a Sonic and they had made up a large barbecued boneless chicken order by mistake and gave to her free plus a large sweet tea. Of course I ate it anyway, very good. It tickles the soul when things just happen serendipitously. Like living at the crossroads of fate and chance. It was nice to have the framework of a plan with some specific anchors, but fun to have time for flexibility.

We toured the confusing Montezuma Castle (again free entry for us). The remnants of the cliff dwellings were erroneously named after the Azec leader Montezuma but he had nothing to do with this place. The Sinagua people were thought to have dwelled here but that name was made up by some university professor and there are not Sinagua descendants. It seems to have Hopi characteristics.

Had time for a quick stop at this Cowboy Corner in Camp Verde. These western shops are way cool. Surf boards to Kachinas. The only cowboys we saw riding the range were tending to sheep. A lot of wide open spaces. Have had the urge to watch more western movies upon return.

Met a writer, Cliff Griffith, from Wales in the lobby upon checking out. He is on his third book, this one about finding himself among the Yavapai - Apache. Yavapai Apache history

Stopped at a Native American family's roadside tent just to see what "Fry Bread" was. It was fried dough. As the temperatures heated up to past 80 in the hot dry sun I asked her if it wasn't uncomfortable out there. She said in her staccato rhythm , "Every Day is a good day. I can't complain." It's the Indian way.

Had time for a little side trip to the quaint copper mining town of Jerome. Tracy Weisel below the Raku Gallery entertained us with his glass blowing skills and rap. He was like an orchestra conductor moving to and fro. He went to college in upstate NY and seems to have had many life experiences. Had to go to burst mode to catch the quick actions of this one man show. The Raku and other shops in town are filled with beautiful art work. It was definitely worth the ride to this tip top hill town.

While resting and sitting on a storefront bench awaiting my shopper friend in town I heard this loud discussion about the Ottoman Empire and various other unconnected miscellaneous ramblings. I suppose it would be uncouth to call them bums, but let's just say they were 3 free spirits of various ages, race and life experiences having a group discussion across the way on concrete steps. It was like a public debate at a Roman Amphitheater with the sound carrying across the street. Just had to sneak a quick photo for my folder without drawing attention to the fact.