Jerome, Arizona, also known as “America’s Most Vertical City” and “Largest Ghost Town in America”, was founded in 1876. The town sits at an elevation of 5,200 feet, at the top of Cleopatra Peak. It rests above the largest copper mine in Arizona, which at its peak produced over three million pounds of copper per month. The mine closed in 1953, and most of the population (15,000 at its highest) left the area. However, about a hundred inhabitants remained, determined to see a renaissance of their beloved town’s popularity. Interest in this “ghost town” gradually grew – in 1967 Jerome was designated a National Historic District by the federal government. Today and it now supports a thriving artist and tourist destination, and is home to about 450 permanent residents. Read More »
When I was little, growing up in the back BACK woods of Maine (think Stephen King, here), I couldn’t be kept away from anything having to do with water. Ponds, lake, streams, even standing water in the fields after a rainstorm. It seems all I wanted to do was get the cuffs of my jeans wet and muddy.
Fast forward some thirty-mumble years, and I still have that inclination. Dwelling in the desert presents a problem, though, unless I want to wade in a community pool or a “man-made lake” (anathema!).
This is where my very favorite scenic drive in Arizona comes in. It’s Scenic Route 89A through Oak Creek Canyon – twenty-eight miles of tree-lined and mountainous winding road that follows along Oak Creek.
There are great little places all along the route to stop and take pictures, or to obtain refreshment. Private resorts and bed and breakfasts abound. Swimming (and sliding!) at Slide Rock is popular for families with children. Hiking along the West Fork Trail and Palatki Indian Ruins is appropriate for all skill levels.
Finally, the road climbs out of the canyon, and a the top of the final crest (over 6,000 feet!) there is a rest stop maintained by the National Forest Service. It features necessary conveniences, an Information booth, a lookout area from which the entirety of Oak Creek Canyon is laid before you, and Native Americans set up along the pathways selling their crafts.
It was a beautiful and refreshing way to spend an afternoon. We rely upon this scenic drive at least two or three times a year, to get us out of the sweltering heat of the Phoenix metropolitan area. It was hard for us to come back home when all we wanted to do was plant ourselves next to Oak Creek and never leave. We did come back home (work calls, after all), but it’s comforting to know that we can go back any time we need to.
To experience the drive from the Phoenix area, take I-17 north, then take exit 298 to access Highway 179 east to Sedona. Highway 179 connects to Highway 89A in the heart of town.
To access the drive from Flagstaff, take I-17 to the junction of I-40, then take exit 337 to Highway 89A. You will then follow the route south to Sedona, instead of north like we did. It’s just as pretty going in the other direction, trust me!
Everything my kids know about Elvis, Lilo taught them. And they can sum it up in a 6 word phrase, “Thank you. Thank you very much.” Zoë can do a little lip curl and finger point, but that’s pretty much the end of the hunt. They don’t know his songs or his movies. They don’t about Priscilla. Lisa Marie and Micheal Jackson. Graceland and Paul Simon. Sun Studios.
I don’t necessarily feel the need to rectify any of this vast lack of knowledge. Really, I’m OK with it. Well, except for the Paul Simon part. That’s kind of sad and I feel badly about it.
Anyway, I suppose I should give them a bit of background on the poor boy from Mississippi who would one day become King in culinary circles. So on our recent trip to Louisiana, I decided to stop in Tupelo, Mississippi where it all began.
The Elvis Presley Birthplace Museum and Chapel
OK, I just lied. Actually, I needed gas and as I have mentioned before there are no service stations on the Natchez Trace. When the tank gets low, you pull off. I suppose the boyhood home, scratch that, birthplace of Elvis Presley in Tupelo was just a bit of lagniappe. (It’s a Louisiana term–means a little something extra.)
According to This Marker, Elvis is Dead!
Talk about humble beginnings! He was born in a two room house that his father borrowed $180 to build in 1934. That’s TWO rooms. A bedroom and a kitchen. Keep that in mind when considering the tour. It doesn’t take long! Oh, and to boot—he only lived there three years. The house was repossessed because the family could not afford to repay the loan.
The Two Room House Where Elvis was Born
The First Room of the Two Room House Where Elvis Presley Was Born
The Second Room of the Two Room House Where Elvis Presley Was Born
Also on the birthplace grounds is a chapel which was built by donations from fans, a museum with a couple of audiovisual presentations focusing on Elvis’ early life and a few costumes and the church where the Presley family attended services. Oh, and of course, a gift shop. Gotta schlep the goods. For the life of me though, I couldn’t find a single Paul Simon album. They must have been sold out.
The Boy Who Would Become King.
So if you’re a fan of The King, The Elvis Presley Birthplace is a definite a must see if you happen to be anywhere near Tupelo, MS. It’s located at 306 Elvis Presley Drive. Hours are 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday Through Saturday (1:00 pm to 5:00 pm on Sundays). Admission is modest, $12 for adults to visit the home, museum and church and just $6 for children 8 years and above. That’s the see-all-three discounted rate. The fees are divided between the three individual exhibits–The Home ($4 adults, $2 children), The Church ($6 adults, $3 children) and The Museum ($8 adults, $4 children).
If Elvis is not your cup of tea…
well, there are plenty of gas stations in Tupelo as well.
When you live in the north, or if you are planning a visit, you need winter weather options. Backup plans. Alternatives. It’s cold in Ohio and the prolonged winter weather is only slightly more tolerable than a colonoscopy. Don’t ask me how I know this, just trust me. The Franklin Park Conservatory in Columbus, OH thankfully falls into that pleasant category of most enjoyable of alternatives.
The Franklin Park Conservatory is close to downtown but on a large enough parcel, 90 acres, that you don’t feel the cramps of being in the big city. The park has a really cool outdoor amphitheater and several times during the year hosts concert events. There are two play areas and several picnic areas. A paved path around and through the park is perfect for a jog, walk, bike ride or roller blading.
But, baby it’s cold outside! Remember?
Thankfully, The Conservatory is plenty warm. The Victorian styled glass Palm House, the Park’s most distinguishing feature, was erected in 1895 following inspiration from the Chicago World’s Fair a few years prior. The conservatory has grown over the years to approximately 73,000 square feet of greenhouses and botanical exhibits. According to their website, there are over 400 species of plants and over 40 species of palms. I can only attest to several. I did not count.
There's a lot of plants at the Conservatory. Several!
Cactus plants in The Desert Zone--several species.
There are also several annual exhibitions: The Orchid Forest (currently running through March 1), Blooms and Butterflies (beginning mid-March) and a Holiday Exhibit (scheduled coincidentally around the holiday season).
The orchids were as billed; in bloom and pretty.
Pretty Purple Orchids
The Conservatory is divided into several temperate zones or regions with plants typical of each area. The walkways are wide and clear, though there are a few areas with steps. You’ll want to keep that in mind if visiting with small kids in strollers, or older kids with bum knees, or adults in wheelchairs, grandparents with walkers… Elevators are available but the presence of steps in some of the viewing zones limits accessibility to the full area.
The Franklin Park Conservatory offers a wide range of educational and informative classes and workshops throughout the year. It’s best to check their website for specifics prior to your visit.
As part of it’s mission, The Franklin Park Conservatory attempts to blend nature and artistic expression and rotates several exhibitions during the year. Currently, there is an exhibit entitled Bending Nature, a large-scale group showcase of 15 Ohio artists using different media.
Part of the Bending Nature Exhibit. In my defense, it did not say Do Not Touch.
There is an area in the atrium where children can have a hands on opportunity to re-create some of the installations on display.
Minutes of entertainment with interactive art.
One of the most impressive permanent displays is the artwork of Dale Chihuly. Several years ago he presented what was to be a temporary installation of his famous blown-glass artwork. The exhibit drew record numbers of visitors, so much so that the privately funded Friends of the Conservatory decided to buy the entire collection making it a permanent part of the Conservatory. It’s quite impressive.
Is that a Chihuly? No, that's a fish!
Pretty Balls!! No, those are Chihuly.
Is that a Chihuly? Yes. Now that is a Chihuly!
The newest feature of the Conservatory is probably one of the most impressive and oddly enough, best enjoyed from outside and after hours. Translation….it’s FREE!! Award winning artist James Turrell brings the historic glass Palm House to life each evening after dusk with a mesmerizing light display. A series of lights illuminate the Palm House with an array of color that is simply amazing to view. The installation, a permanent exhibit, is best viewed from the Grand Mallway west of the Palm House.
The Palm House at dusk (photo the Columbus Dispatch)
The Palm House (pink) (photo the Columbus Dispatch)
The Palm House (brightly illuminated) (photo The Columbus Dispatch)
The Franklin Park Conservatory is located at 1777 East Broad St. Columbus, OH and is open daily Tuesday-Sunday from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm. (Wednesdays until 8:00 pm) Admission is $7.50 for adults and $4.00 for children 4-12. Parking is free and plentiful.
Unless otherwise noted the photos (and precious children) were created by Ed Lamaze.
