Head for the Hills! Jerome Run - June 20th

**LeadfootRT10** · 05-09-2015

Escape the heat of the Valley summer with the AZ club as we head for high country and what was once known as the wickedest town in the west, Jerome Arizona.

Our day will begin on the streets of Phoenix from which we will head north, up the Mogollon Rim to the Prescott Valley. We'll aim west into the valley, skirting along the Black Hills. Once far enough west, we'll turn north again, carving our way between Mingus and Woodchute Mountains, up over 7000 ft, until we come to Jerome. Located on the top of Cleopatra Hill, Jerome appeared after the discovery of Copper in the Black Hills.

The town was founded in 1876 as a tent city to support mining operations. During it's peak, two different mining company's drew people from all over the country to Jerome for work. The population ballooned to 15,000 by the 1920's. Once the fourth largest town in AZ, it's population has dwindle to only a few hundred citizens. The town has become a booming tourist attraction due to it's mining history both for the state and the country. Today artists, craft people, musicians, writers, hermits, bed and breakfast owners, museum caretakers and gift shop proprietors inhabit the town, catering to the tourists who visit. We will spend the morning exploring the rough and tumble, boom to bust mining history at the Douglas Mansion and Aubrey Headframe.

And since most people think we're crazy for just getting behind the wheel of our cars, you'll all be committed to the Asylum......restaurant for lunch. The Jerome Grand Hotel is home to the Ayslum restaurant. Originally the town hospital, it was re-purposed in 1994 to it's current use. It also hides a 1926 Rolls Phantom in it's garage. Assuming your appetite has been satisfied AND you're found sane enough to leave, you'll head down the mountain thru the Verde Valley and back home.

Members, keep an eye on your email for all the details to follow this weekend!

Out of state members, message druckert06@yahoo.com for the details

Non-members, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR!? Sign up and join us!

**Vprbite** · 05-09-2015

Nice write up! Sounds good. I will talk to you about the photo shoot.

I am trying to set up some professional photos for us on this trip for those that I haven't told yet. I will keep you all posted.

**Rocket** · 05-14-2015

Anyone thinking about spending the evening somewhere in that area? I'm open for suggestions if there's an interesting hotel in the Jerome, Prescott, Cottonwood, Sedona area. Jerome Grand Hotel has rooms starting at $130.

And as a side note ..... June 20th happens to be THE BEST day of the year!!!

**LeadfootRT10** · 05-15-2015

Originally Posted by Rocket

Anyone thinking about spending the evening somewhere in that area? I'm open for suggestions if there's an interesting hotel in the Jerome, Prescott, Cottonwood, Sedona area. Jerome Grand Hotel has rooms starting at $130.

And as a side note ..... June 20th happens to be THE BEST day of the year!!!

My recommendation would be to stay in Prescott....or Sedona. There is some festival in Jerome the weekend we're going so the Grande may be booked if you don't make plans ASAP. Besides, Prescott has the better bar scene.

FYI, for those curious, the SCENIC return route will take us back the way we came along 89A into Prescott, then south on 89 to 93 into Wickenburg. It's super twisty and will be a fantastic route. Never done it "backwards" personally.

I kept this lunch cruise short on the short side since this weekend is Father's day weekend.

**Vprbite** · 05-16-2015

Prescott has a great bar scene. They are also known for their world class rehab centers. Their unofficial town slogan is "come for the rehab, stay for the relapse." I have had some great times on Whiskey Row according to the police reports. On a sidenote, this drive doesn't take us within 500 feet of a middle school does it? No reason, just wondering.

**drewsss** · 05-20-2015

Hey gang,

Just joined the club again and looking forward to our first run in a couple of years!

It will be great to catch up with everyone again!

Andy and Elita Zaloga

**Vprbite** · 06-03-2015

Anyone driving solo on this ride that is willing to take a passenger? I am bringing my Dad for father's day but a good buddy of his is a car/motorcycle guy and would really like to come along. In fact, he used to race Camaros but he said he would really like to participate in this ride and get some up close time with the Viper. The good news is he is also a photography aficionado and will be taking some nice photos for us.

Please let me know if you have room for a passenger on this drive. Thanks!!

**LeadfootRT10** · 06-08-2015

Looks like we have 10 cars and about 16-17 people for this cruise. If you haven't RSVP'ed, do so now!!!!!

**serpent** · 06-08-2015

Wish I had a viper to go with you guys! I visited jerome back I 2013, great place. My mom and then girlfriend wanted to take me there because my name is jerome. Lol

**Vprbite** · 06-08-2015

Originally Posted by LeadfootRT10

Looks like we have 10 cars and about 16-17 people for this cruise. If you haven't RSVP'ed, do so now!!!!!

So can I get a ride for my dad's friend/car photographer? As I said he is a car guy, just not gotten to experience Vipers but he loves them.

**Vombomb** · 06-12-2015

Hey looks like I'll be in town long enough to make it to this one! Driving up with Jeff, and my gf is coming. No not the inflatable one...

**LeadfootRT10** · 06-12-2015

Originally Posted by Vombomb

Hey looks like I'll be in town long enough to make it to this one! Driving up with Jeff, and my gf is coming. No not the inflatable one...

Not inflatable.....HA!

**Vprbite** · 06-17-2015

Just wanted to let you all know it appears the 17 is closed on Saturday from Camelback to Glendale. Obviously this doesn't effect our drive but may effect some people's getting to the meet.

So heads up for those that were gonna take the 17.

**drewsss** · 06-20-2015

Thanks Jeff - you saved me some serious traffic time!

**Vprbite** · 06-20-2015

You're welcome. My dad actually sniffed that one out and alerted me. He's always doing that stuff. It's a habit I should get into considering there is a frickin website just for it.

**Vprbite** · 06-20-2015

Hey big thanks to Todd for planning this trip.

I'm glad we wrapped it up early as it was pretty hot. It was a good time, except getting yelled at by thay cop at the scene of that motorcycle accident. I really wasn't doimg over 30 there because Mike and I were looking for a spot. Hopefully Mike got some good photos of our cars. I tried to get good position so Mike could get good photos of Goots and Todds as we drove towards the maverick in the afternoon.

My dad had a great time for father's day and also so did his friend Mike. Hopefully next time he can bring his other buddy and they can get some aerial shots and really put something together nice for us. I. Excited about these photos though.

Thanks again Todd. We should do a weekend trip in the fall. One night in Jerome, one night in Prescott. There are some fun bars and breweries.

**Vombomb** · 06-20-2015

Great run guys, would've done the long way back but the clutch was bothering me. Ellie had a blast and can't wait to see y'all again!

**Vprbite** · 06-21-2015

We weren't sure why you left but I figured as a grown up and a navy man and maps on our phones these days, you probably just jumped back to the 17. We actually just backtracked. We got to the maverick where we filled up and such on the way out and just reversed our trip. No one really felt like going through cottonwood.

All in all a good trip. Glad you could make it. This was kinda a small one though. Wait till you see a big one.

**Vombomb** · 06-21-2015

We got stuck behind traffic, and the clutch went again so we decided to take the short route. Andy kept us company fo most of the ride

**drewsss** · 06-21-2015

Originally Posted by Vombomb

We got stuck behind traffic, and the clutch went again so we decided to take the short route. Andy kept us company fo most of the ride

Yes, we kept up with you for most of the time, but then that mini-van slowed our progress.

Great to meet you and Ellie, and hopefully see you again down the road.

Jeff - we did try following you and Goot, but we took a right when it should have been left, and realized that doing multiple U-turns in those narrow Jerome streets wasn't a good idea, so we hit the trail home. Sounds like we missed a good time with the

John - it was indeed the best day of the year! Nice meeting you and your gf over some blue glasses and birthday candles.

Todd - thanks again for organizing the event. Very well coordinated and much appreciated!

It was great to catch up with old friends and make new ones. See everyone next time!

**LeadfootRT10** · 06-22-2015

I'm glad everybody had a good time and it never seems to fail we end up losing people for the ride home on these shorter day trips. But I'm glad to hear you took the route of your choice even if it was due to mechanical issues. By the time we got to the Maverick, everybody was looking to take the short route home so you didn't miss much. I was starting to bake to a crisp in the cockpit going topless. As soon as there are pictures to post, i'll load them up here. Feel free to post any pics you may have taken Saturday. Looking forward to the next one!

**Vprbite** · 06-22-2015

Originally Posted by LeadfootRT10

I'm glad everybody had a good time and it never seems to fail we end up losing people for the ride home on these shorter day trips. But I'm glad to hear you took the route of your choice even if it was due to mechanical issues. By the time we got to the Maverick, everybody was looking to take the short route home so you didn't miss much. I was starting to bake to a crisp in the cockpit going topless. As soon as there are pictures to post, i'll load them up here. Feel free to post any pics you may have taken Saturday. Looking forward to the next one!

I took some when I got home Saturday night and had the house to myself. Would you like me to post those?