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Verde Canyon Railroad: Arizona's "Other" Grand Canyon (Part 2, photos included)

By Mike Jones

Mortgage and Lending with SUNSTREET MORTGAGE, LLC (BK-0907366, NMLS 145171) NMLS 223495

December 28, 2009 01:15 PM

Verde Valley viewed from State Hwy. 89A, near Jerome, AZ

Arizona is one of the world's open books when it comes to geology. An author friend of mine, Davis Young, retired to Arizona from his home in Pennsylvania specifically because the geology (his subject as a professor) is so diverse.

Prescott, AZ to Jerome, AZ on a visit to the Verde Valley My Darlin' and I spent a Christmas getaway weekend in Prescott, AZ. On Christmas Eve morning, we drove through Jerome along this road (State Hwy 89A) on our way to preview the Verde Valley.

In the photo above, you're looking across the valley from the Jerome (west) side. You can see why it's called Arizona's Other Grand Canyon.

We had booked a Saturday afternoon trip through the Verde Valley on the Verde Canyon Railroad. Put it on your bucket list!

My view of the canyon, and thus my photos, are from the perspective of the train itself. For a bird's eye view of the Verde Canyon Railroad, click the link above.

Arizona's Verde Valley from the perspective of the Verde Canyon Railroad

Riding the rails on the Verde Canyon Railroad

The ride begins in Clarkdale, AZ, on the valley floor, and the views leaving the station are expansive. During the two hour ride (at a leisurely 10-12 mph) to the ghost town of Perkinsville, the rails follow the Verde River into deep canyons and gorges, and the geologic history of valley comes alive.

Part One of this blog series will give you a taste of the canyon if you missed it. Stay tuned for more to come...

___________________

I'm Mike in Tucson, your preferred Tucson, AZ Mortgage lender.

NMLS #223495

SUNSTREET MORTGAGE llc
Call me if I can help you or someone you know with a purchase or refi mortgage in Tucson, or anywhere else in the great state of Arizona.

(520) 349-9090

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Foreclosure Grove

Foreclosure Grove - Phoenix, AZ

I've been seeing a lot of foreclosure properties for sale in Prescott and around the Verde Canyon in our web application (www.foreclosuregrove.com), but I had no idea it was so beautiful! I'm going to recommend this train ride to the real estate agents I know operating in the area, to take pictures and to recommend to clients to expose them to the beautiful landscape. Thanks for the psot!

Dec 29, 2009 02:34 AM

Carol Smith

Casmi Photography - Mebane, NC

You are just bound and determined to get me to come out there! LOL I hope when we do get out there that we will have time to take this rail trip. It looks like loads of fun! Hope you and Ginny had a wonderful Christmas - and my best to both of you in 2010!

Dec 29, 2009 02:51 AM

Sharon Paxson

Sharon Paxson, Realtor® EQTY Forbes Global Properties - Newport Beach, CA

Newport Beach Real Estate

What a fabulous view, and what an adventure. I would definitely enjoy a trip like this! Happy New Year to you and your family!

Dec 29, 2009 03:09 AM

Mike Jones

SUNSTREET MORTGAGE, LLC (BK-0907366, NMLS 145171) - Tucson, AZ

Mike Jones NMLS 223495

Sharon,

Plan to do it; you won't be disappointed!

Carol,

Yes I am! And we wish you and yours a Happy New Year!

Foreclosure Grove,

What's your name? And who do you know "in the area?" Anonymity doesn't become you.

Trisha,

You'll just have to plan a vacation...

Deanne,

You're welcome! Thanks for calling yesterday.

Rene,

Plan to do it; you won't be disappointed.

Jerry,

Thanks! We'll see you on your blog.

Diane,

Yes there is! And your dollar goes farther at the moment...

Carole,

Sedona's red rocks are beautiful, aren't they?

Mike in Tucson

Dec 29, 2009 03:26 AM

Robert Hammerstein

Christie's International Real Estate - Hillsdale, NJ

Bergen County NJ Real Estate

Mike - New shots and post... I love Az and wish I could come out for a visit... Went through Prescott once and would love to return one day.... Have a Great New Year!

Dec 29, 2009 03:41 AM

Jeff D. Clark

Blue Summit Realty Group - La Grande, OR

Your Eastern Oregon Real Estate Specialist

Beautiful photos! Thanks so much for sharing!

Dec 29, 2009 04:23 AM

Mike Jones

SUNSTREET MORTGAGE, LLC (BK-0907366, NMLS 145171) - Tucson, AZ

Mike Jones NMLS 223495

Jeff,

You're welcome! Come back any time; you never know what you might see here.

Robert,

Plan to do it! I'd love to meet you and hike/take photos.

Mike in Tucson

Dec 29, 2009 05:11 AM

Michael and Cheron Lange

Solutions Real Estate - Chandler, AZ

Associate Broker, GRI

As always Mike, BEAUTIFUL photos! I just love living in Arizona...and I like seeing Arizona through your eyes, you tell a nice story!

Cheron Lange

Dec 29, 2009 05:29 AM

Retired from ActiveRain

Baker, OR

The Verde Canyon Railroad is a fun trip for all ages. I'm a native Arizonan now living in Eugene, Oregon. Arizona isn't just desert. The state's geography is widely diverse with some spectacular landscapes. The drive that you feature is very scenic and not heavily traveled. Good luck in 2010!

Dec 29, 2009 06:58 AM

Teral McDowell

Referral Patners LLC - Murphy, TX

Beautiful, Mike, makes me want to go dig out my old photos of a trip through the Rockies on Amtrak from Salt Lake to Denver. Happy New Year too!

Dec 29, 2009 07:20 AM

Mike Jones

SUNSTREET MORTGAGE, LLC (BK-0907366, NMLS 145171) - Tucson, AZ

Mike Jones NMLS 223495

Teral,

Happy New Year to you over there in Plano, TX! Thanks for stopping by to comment.

Rick,

All the best to you, and I'm hoping you survive the rain up there. I'll see you on your blog.

Cheron,

You say the nicest things... LOL

Dec 29, 2009 07:38 AM

Larry Brewer - Benchmark Realty llc

Benchmark Realty LLc - Nashville, TN

Mike - THis looks like a lot of fun. I have never ridden on a train, but this might be worth the ride.

Dec 29, 2009 09:09 AM

Barbara-Jo Roberts Berberi, MA, PSA, TRC - Greater Clearwater Florida Residential Real Estate Professional

Charles Rutenberg Realty - Clearwater, FL

Palm Harbor, Dunedin, Clearwater, Safety Harbor

thank you for once again sharing your wonderful photos - what a great place for a photographer!!! Happy 2010!!!!

Dec 29, 2009 09:30 AM

Patricia Aulson

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOME SERVICES Verani Realty NH Real Estate - Exeter, NH

Realtor - Portsmouth NH Homes-Hampton NH Homes

Nice...I'd love to see this in person. What a site it must be.

Patricia/Seacoast NH

Dec 29, 2009 11:54 AM

Tony & Darcy Cannon

Aubrey and Associates Realty - Layton, UT

The C Team

Mike, darn gorgeous scenery! Great photos, I can't wait to check the first blog!

Dec 29, 2009 05:55 PM

Mike Jones

SUNSTREET MORTGAGE, LLC (BK-0907366, NMLS 145171) - Tucson, AZ

Mike Jones NMLS 223495

Tony & Darcy,

Thanks for commenting; it was a beautiful day up in the Verde Valley.

Patricia,

I'm hoping you take some time to come visit; you'll love it.

BarbaraJo,

You're so welcome; thanks for your readership and comments. Happy New Year!

Larry,

You can bet on it!

Mike in Tucson

Dec 29, 2009 08:05 PM

Kirsten Lindquist

Pacific Union International - Sonoma, CA

Realtor - Sonoma Wine Country

Wonderful travelog....thanks for the beautiful pix.

Dec 30, 2009 01:54 AM

Mike Weber

Keller Williams Realty Northern Colorado - Fort Collins, CO

40+ years in Northern Colorado

Sounds like a fun trip. Most of my desert time is in Utah, but this is the time of year when I start thinking of making the trek to the south-west.

Dec 30, 2009 05:35 AM

Don Rogers

Keller Williams Realty Chesterfield - O'Fallon, MO

Realtor, Broker, CDPE, GRI, OnullFallon MO & St Charles County MO homes

I am thinking that this is one place that has to go on my bucket list, What a VIEW!!!

Dec 31, 2009 08:13 AM

Mike Jones

SUNSTREET MORTGAGE, LLC (BK-0907366, NMLS 145171) - Tucson, AZ

Mike Jones NMLS 223495

Don,

For sure! Happy New Year to you two!

Mike,

It certainly was. If you make your way down to Tucson, please let me know. We should plan a hike together.

Kirsten,

Thanks for stopping by to comment! Happy New Year!

Mike in Tucson

Dec 31, 2009 11:16 PM

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Verde Canyon Railroad: Arizona's "Other" Grand Canyon (Part 2, photos included)

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