Verde Canyon Railroad

Verde Canyon Railroad carries passengers on a 20 mile trip through the Verde Canyon. The 4 hour journey takes you from historic Clarkdale, AZ (near Jerome) to the Perkinsville ghost ranch and back again.  From the vintage restored train cars and/or open air viewing cars one can observe the natural beauty of the canyon, two national forests, and protected wilderness areas.

 The historic rail line runs through an area where high desert meets riparian wetlands along the Verde River.  Towering rock formations, clear water streams, ancient ruins, bridges and trestles are all part of the trip.  Most interesting is the 680 foot man-made curved tunnel which was chiseled  through solid rock over a century ago...for a short while you are surrounded by complete darkness, until the cars emerge from the tunnel again.

Yuma Territorial Prison

High on a bluff where the Colorado and Gila Rivers meet in Yuma, AZ is the site of Yuma Territorial Prison.  Now a historic state park, the prison once had the reputation of being the most feared prison in the west.  Before the prison was built a military fort was located nearby.  In 1850's the Gold Rush led many individuals to the west and the town of Yuma flourished. By 1875 the need for a territorial prison was recognized.  Built by the prisoners themselves, the first were jailed in 1876.  

One of the more famous prisoners was lady stage coach robber Pearl Hart...rumor is that after she robbed the stage, she gave each passenger $1 back so they could get something to eat or drink at the next stage stop! 

For the next 33 years it served as a prison. After that prisoners were moved to a new facility in Florence, AZ.  Once the prisoners left, the facility had other uses.  From 1910-1914 it served as a temporary High School for Yuma (the athletic teams name..."The Criminals").  From 1914 to 1923 it was a hospital.  In the 1920's and 30's Depression era homeless families and hobo's occupied the cells as temporary homes. It was neglected for some years, then in the 1960's the park service began restoring it as a historical site.  Now one can tour the prison

cells, guard tower, and the dreaded "Black Hole"...a cell without windows where those who failed to follow rules were shackled.

Imperial Sand Dunes National Recreation Area

While in Yuma, AZ for a few days, we drove west on I-8 into California to observe the massive sand dunes of the Imperial Sand Dunes NRA.  More than 127,000 acres of wind swept sand is piled into dunes, some up to 300 feet high...it has created a massive sandbox for off-road vehicle enthusiasts to play in.

History lurks here too with the preservation of remnants of the Plank Road. The Plank Road was originated in 1915 to provide a route from Yuma, AZ to San Diego, CA which did not involve driving all the way to Los Angeles first.  San Diego merchants helped raise money to bring the planks and construct the 6 1/2 mile Plank Road across the shifting desert sands.  The road consisted of two parallel tracks, each 25" wide spiked to wooden cross pieces underneath.  In April, 1915 work was completed and the first automobiles traveled the new route....they declared it a success!  However, with time and wind against them, the planks would shift and move and create a difficult mess.  Drivers often had to stop and put the planks back in place to continue their travels...it became known as the "Do-It-Yourself Highway".
In 1916 the California Highway Commission developed improvements that kept the Plank Road in place and provided more stability.  However, the road was still not wide enough for two cars to pass and occasional disputes resulted.  Pull-out and passing areas were added. The road was used until 1926 when a two-lane asphalt road was built to replace it.

Preserved sections of the Plank Road can be seen in place at a site near Gray's Well Road.

Natchez Trace Parkway

Stretching from the Mississippi River in Natchez, Mississippi through the Shoals area in Alabama and across the Tennessee Valley to Nashville, the Old Trace was first used by American Indians.  In the early 1800's it became the main route to the Ohio Valley for traders and pioneers. In 1801 President Thomas Jefferson designated the Trace as an official post road to be used for mail delivery between Nashville and Natchez.  Inns and stands were established along the route by early travelers to provide lodging, food, and drink for other travelers.

Today The Trace is a 444 mile National Scenic Byway, administered by the National Park Service.  It provides a non-commercial (no big trucks allowed!) unhurried drive through historic and scenic landscapes.  Speed limit on most of The Trace is 50 mph.

We left The Shoals on November 16, 2015 and picked up The Trace off US Hwy 72 in Alabama.  We drove 227 miles south to an exit north of Jackson, MS...our campsite was near Ross R. Barnett Reservoir in Brandon, MS.

Along The Trace we stopped to investigate some of the wayside exhibits and historic markers. Indian Mounds, campgrounds, and a Cypress Swamp (photo right) were just a few examples of the variety to be found.

After a couple days in camp waiting for severe thunderstorms, heavy rain, flash flooding, and tornadoes to pass to the East, we followed The Trace a few more miles to I-20, where we headed West.

Coon Dog Memorial Cemetery

Before leaving the Red Bay, AL area we drove to Key Underwood Coon Dog Memorial Graveyard. This cemetery in rural Colbert County is reserved specifically for the burial of coon dogs.  Established in 1937, the cemetery is now the final resting place for over 300 coon dogs.

Three requirements must be met in order to be considered for burial here:
1) the dog owner must claim that his pet is an authentic coon dog
2) a witness must declare the deceased to be a coon dog
3) a member of the local coonhunters organization must confirm the fact.

It is thought to be the only graveyard of its kind in the country.

The Shoals Area of Alabama

From Nashville we drove south...we had scheduled appointments for some motor home inspections, maintenance and repairs in and around Red Bay, AL.  Campsites near Red Bay were filled, so McFarland Park near Florence, AL became home base.  McFarland Park was right on the Tennessee River not far from Wilson Dam; we could sit outside and watch tugboat guided barges coming and going on the river.

We had time to visit The Shoals "Quad Cities" of Florence, Sheffield, Tuscumbia, and Muscle Shoals. Music history was everywhere...the Shoals sound originated here, a blend of soul, gospel, country and rock, that found its way into many popular tunes.  W.C. Handy, "Father of the Blues" was born here; the Alabama Music Hall of Fame and Fame Recording Studio were close by.  We also saw Helen Keller's birthplace and Spring Park Waterfall in Tuscumbia.  In historic downtown Florence we saw Pope's Tavern site...once a country tavern, it became a hospital during the Civil War for both Confederate and Union soldiers...it is now a museum.

Nashville Tennessee

Our next destination was Nashville, TN where we parked a couple days at the KOA near Opryland. Old friends from Minnesota, now in Nashville, took us to dinner one night at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center.  It was a huge place, the courtyards and various restaurants filled with plants and flowers. Waterfalls and a "river" with riverboat rides added to the scenery; balconies on interior rooms reached over the space...plus, they were adding decorations for the Christmas holidays.  We enjoyed both the dinner and the scenery.

The next day was a backstage tour of the Grand Old Opry.  We got to see the entertainers entrance, their dressing rooms and private mailboxes, the main opry stage, and Studio B where shows like Hee Haw were performed.

For a Nashville history event we went to tour The Hermitage: Home of the People's President Andrew Jackson. "Old Hickory" is probably most remembered for engineering a win over British troops in the Battle of New Orleans in 1815.  His farm, home, gardens, and slave cabins are being preserved; audio tours provide information about his family and his life.