On Saturday we toured Jerome, AZ, an old mining town which has now become a haven for the artsy-craftsy type. In its heyday, it was an active copper mining town for about 75 years beginning in 1876 with peak production in 1929. At one point the United Verde Mine produced the most copper in AZ. The town lies on the side of a small mountain and the views are fantastic. From there, we could see the snow packed peaks of San Francisco Mountains more than 70 miles away.
After lunch at the Haunted Hamburger (highly recommended for anyone visiting Jerome), we took a drive through Sedona, AZ which is known for its beautiful red sandstone formations.
A truly unique feature at Sedona is the Chapel of the Holy Cross, designed by Richard Hein and August Strotz and completed in 1956. It is built into the side of a cliff and is truly a magnificent piece of architecture.
Afterwards, we spent the rest of the evening relaxing with our friends and getting ready for a long, long day in the saddle tomorrow.