good-times-rollin

Sunday, September 14, 2025

Wrapping Up Prescott

Point of Rocks RV Campground

Prescott, AZ

August 26, 2025

Prescott Courthouse Square

You may have guessed that Prescott is a favorite place we like to visit. We have visited several times now and we always find something new and very much enjoy old favorites. I am just now finishing this blog for our last trip when we visited at the end of August.

Walking the square and enjoying the park-like mood with locals and visitors is something we both enjoy. The four acre public space was established in 1864. The focal point is the stately granite Yavapai County Courthouse built in 1916.

But there is so much more.

Cowboy at Rest : 1904
Artist : Solon Hannibal Borglum

The sculpture depicts a cowboy stretched out on a rocky hillside. There is a slight smile and pensive look on his face as his horse stands over him.

Lady Ermintrude arrived in Prescott from New York in July, 1910. The beautiful fountain graced the plaza for more than 60 years. Over time, the fountain was showing signs of wear and in 1960 was removed and placed in storage at the Sharlot Hall Museum.

In 2016, as the Centennial of the laying of the cornerstone for the Courthouse was approaching, surviving components of the fountain and statue were discovered and restoration began. Research was found that Robinson Iron, a foundry in Alabama had the original patterns and the missing and broken pieces of the fountain pedestal were replaced and restored.

Lady Ermintrude stands elegantly today just as she did in 1910.
Ermintrude is a femine German name derived from irmen meaning "wholeness" and traut

meaning "beloved".

In 1912, this Deodar Cedar was planted on the northeast quadrant of the plaza to commemorate Arizona's statehood.

We made return visits to a couple of favorite places to eat in Prescott.

Brunch and take home pie at Berry's is yummy. The biscuits and gravy are the best and deciding on which pie to take home is a fun choice to make.

Somehow we manage to eat every morsel at brunch and leave with melt-in-your mouth slices of fruity goodness over a thin home-made crust and topped with a layer of lightly toasted meringue.

Date night at Papa's is a real treat. We had reservations for 6:30. Friday and Saturday nights are busy. The locals have gathered here for authentic, home-cooked Italian food in this warm and friendly atmosphere for over 30 years.

We both enjoyed the "not on the menu" special for the evening. Crab and shrimp with a variety of cheeses wrapped in a house-made lasagna noodle topped with Papa's marinara sauce and cheese and baked to a golden, bubbly delicious smelling melt in your mouth greatness. Served with Papa's freshly baked bread and a house salad with Mama's Italian dressing.

And we could not leave without a piece of cheesecake...made fresh every morning.

Back at Belle and Point of Rocks...

Afternoon playtime...

Firethorn...
The berries will ripen and turn red, yellow or orange in the fall.

Watching the birds...

Woodhouse's Scrub Jay

Back at the oasis it was a quiet week. Our only outing was to go to Gather. September and November are my favorite times to peruse this once a month, four day market in the Barrio Historic District.

And today we had an errand at Home Depot. Lucy went with us.

And on the way home we stopped at Dairy Queen. We each got a Blizzard and a senior discount! Wahoo!

Until next time, I'll close with a few photos from the backyard and our walks this week.

HAPPY TRAILS!

Sunday, September 7, 2025

Goldwater Lake

Point of Rocks RV Campground

Prescott, AZ

August 23, 2025

Sunrise over the Granite Dells at Point of Rocks

Just a short drive from historic downtown Prescott is a one of the town's local gems. It is a small 15 acre lake surrounded by tall Ponderosa Pines in the Prescott National Forest. Goldwater Lake is named after Morris Goldwater who was the mayor of Prescott between 1879 and 1927. Water, or the lack thereof, was an issue back in his day and he led the effort to construct the dam in 1923 that resulted in the reservoir known today as Lower Goldwater Lake. Later, a second dam was built and Upper Goldwater Lake was created.

Senator Highway is a gentle climb with lots of fun twists and turns.

Goldwater Lake Park, located at the Upper Lake and is maintained by the city and offers picnic tables, a playground, fishing, boating, hiking and birding. Puppies on a leash are welcomed so Lucy went too. There is a $3.00 day pass fee (credit card kiosk) per vehicle and ample parking.

Goldwater Lake Road is a narrow road that leads to the park. We had a heavy rain the night before and the air was wonderful... cool, crisp, and clean.

The loop trail winds its way 2.5 miles along the banks of both lakes. It is considered easy with shade from the pine forest.

We opted for an in-out walk with Lucy...a mile which took us to the other side of the lake before we turned around.

I got photos of some of the birds we saw. Some of them I could not make a definite ID. Any help would be appreciated. My phone gave names, but when I googled All About Birds some of the characteristics did not match.

Phone ID had two names...Grosbeak and Western Bluebird
I could not find a good match.

Dark-eyed Junco...Adult Red-backed form of the southwestern U.S.

Grey headed Dark-eyed Junco

Pygmy Nuthatch

The three of us really enjoyed our walk at Goldwater Lake. Definitely on the list when we return. We arrived early and enjoyed the walk mostly to ourselves. There were several fishermen/women/children enjoying the morning sun down by the lake with lines in the water. By the time we were ready to leave, the Ramadas and picnic areas were filling up. Note to self, the weekends are for the locals so another day would probably be better if you do not go early.

Back at Belle and Point of Rocks the afternoons flew by.

Shrub Oak

Spotted Towhee

Virginia Creeper

We celebrated Lucy's first birthday...

Morning playtime at Willow Creek Doggie Park and eye on the ball!

We did make it back to the oasis in time to see the barrel cacti blooming. We drove the Cactus Loop Drive at Saguaro NP East. I love all the cactus blooms, but the glow on the barrels is my favorite.