Fun in the Verde Valley Area

The next week from Saturday, October 25th began with Sheila back hard at work and Tom still wondering what he wanted to be when he grew up.  Though this was a busy week for Sheila workwise, we did fit in some fun distractions during our second week in the Verde Valley area.

On Saturday we headed out to do some Geocaching, one of our favorite past times.  Geocaching is a real-world, outdoor treasure hunting game using GPS-enabled devices.  Participants navigate to a specific set of GPS coordinates and then attempt to find the geocache (container) hidden at that location.  There are currently over 2.5 million active caches and over 6 million geocachers world wide.

Occasionally, we run into other geocachers looking for the same cache we are and we combine our efforts to make the find.

Tom teamed up with another geocaching couple looking for a cache at a stop sign.

Geocaching also takes us to so many places we would not visit otherwise, like the geographic center of Arizona located in Rezzonico Park, Camp Verde, AZ.

The geographic center of Arizona, Rezzonico park, Camp Verde, AZ.

Tuesday, October 28th we paid our first visit to an Arizona vineyard.  Alcantara Vinyards is situated on a 87 hillside acres at the confluence of the Verde River and Oak Creek.  The vineyard grows a dozen varieties of grapes from which it has produced over 20 different white, red and dessert wines.

Alcantara Vinyards, Cottonwood, AZ.

The rocky limestone soil and sunny climate in the Verde Valley is very similar to the wine making regions of France and Italy, and produces some interesting varieties of wines, distinctly different from the Washington and Oregon varieties we are accustomed to.  We tasted five different wines and left with our own set of vineyard wine glasses.

Sheila hamming it up for the camera.

Wednesday, October 29th we paid a visit to the red rock country of Sedona, AZ. 

Approaching Sedona from Cottonwood.

How many Staples stores have this kind of view behind them?

Talk about a beautiful skyline!

Red rock country, Sedona, AZ.

Many RV people accessorize their campsite when they are set up with signs, or flags, or other small items unique to them.  While we were exploring the shopping district of Sedona, Sheila found this little piece of art we felt would brighten up our campsite.

Home is where you hook up!

On Friday, October 31st we attended a Halloween party hosted by Verde Valley Thousand Trails.  Food, drinks and fun were in great supply, and many stepped up to the karaoke microphone.  Sheila joined in with the other ladies in a wonderful rendition of Delta Dawn.

Karaoke at the Verde Valley Thousand Trails Halloween party.