Yesterday (Tuesday) we drove the couple of miles into Old Town Cottonwood and had lunch at the Tavern Grill. We were surprised when we entered the old building that it was packed and we had to wait for a table. But the wait was worth every minute - wow what wonderful food in a great atmosphere.

It took about a half hour to decide from the spectacular menu but Sharon ordered a corned beef reuben and sweet potato fries, and Rick ordered a prime rib dip with a 90 shilling ale. 

They were spectacular but we only could eat half - so we took the other half back to our RV and had them for dinner. Next time we will probably just share a single order if we can agree on what we want.

After lunch we walked around Main Street and went into a shop we visited last year - full of rocks and gems and a bunch of quirky yard art. Ever since we were here last year Sharon has regretted not buying a blow-torch metal sculpture of a javalina, a New World peccary very distantly related to Old World pigs. They occur around here in the wild but the only one we've seen is a dead one beside the highway. We bought a small model (they come in many sizes up to actual full-grown male size) and a small saguaro cactus to go with it. They reside on our patio outside our RV.

Every time Sharon sees them she smiles - oh happy day.

After purchasing our yard art we visited the Pillsbury Winery Tasting Room and enjoyed a tasting of both white and red wines. 

Sam Pillsbury is a filmmaker best know for films such as Where the Red Fern Grows and Free Willey 3 although he has made dozens more. He always wanted to make wine so he set up shop in Cottonwood. Interestingly, he sold his first vineyard to Maynard Keenan (the rock star of Tool and other bands) who started the Caduceous Winery located just up the hill in Jerome. Seems like the Verde Valley has attracted many interesting and diverse folks who have been successful in their first careers and are looking for more to do.

This morning (Wednesday) we left Abby in the trailer and drove about 20 miles north to red rock country. 

We first visited the Palatki Heritage Site: cliff dwellings and rock art in a couple of alcoves in the red rock cliffs.

The only pictograph that Sharon photographed was the "lady with the big boobs."

We then drove a few miles along very rough dirt roads to the Honanki Heritage Site:  more cliff dwellings and rock art.

Both Palatki and Honanki date to the same time period and were built by the same archaeological culture as the site on our RV park and Tuzigoot National Monument. There are probably some estimates for the total population of the Verde Valley at that time, which we haven't yet encountered, but it must have been in the thousands or tens of thousands.

Even though we are in the middle of a desert there are pockets of lush vegetation and even flowing water.

It was nice to get out and hike the trails but the only disappointment is that there are no pets allowed.

This afternoon it is hot - currently 79; and tomorrow we are supposed to have "near record" temperatures of 85. But then it is supposed to cool back into the mid 70s. No plans for the next few days but we have a long "must visit" list (all of which require us to walk) so we will not be bored.