Salsa Trail and SalsaFest a worthy trek!

A late September trip to Southeastern Arizona for the Salsa Trail and SalsaFest was a worthy trek!

We began the Salsa Trail with a  huevos rancheros breakfast at the El Coronado in downtown Safford.

We resumed our Salsa Trail, driving to the mining town of Clifton.

P.J.'s in Clifton offered delicious cheese enchiladas, and we brought back 2 jars of salsa.

I couldn't resist this photo to remember P.J.'s coffee prices!

Next stop was Duncan, Arizona.

Hilda's Kitchen and Meat Market is a small little place with two tables. We brought back some of Hilda's salsa, too.

La Paloma in Solomon is a busy spot during lunch, and we left with more salsa!

We stopped at an  historic marker between Duncan and Solomon...a reminder that this was once Apache territory.

While we still had afternoon daylight, Mt Graham enticed us to drive up to the top. It is a "sky island" with lush forest.

This view is looking back (Northeast) toward Safford and the Gila Valley.

No one could deny this beautiful vista, looking South from the top of Mt. Graham, with the Klondyke Road seen below.

Back in Safford, we visited Mi Casa Tortilla Factory and bought dried chiles and flour tortillas to bring home.

We enjoyed dinner at El Charro in Safford, with the best cheese crisp, chile relleno and guacamole tostada of our trip, and came home with 3 different jars of their yummy salsas.

Friday evening's SalsaFest included booths and entertainment.

Visitors from all over Arizona attended.

 Safford's court house stands near the SalsaFest activities.

San Simon Chile Company booth had salsa and treats to take home.

Children enjoyed the petting zoo!

jewelry and boutique items covered every booth.

Coming home, we stopped outside Globe for a breather and found this Apache warrior statue at the Apache Gold Casino.

Between Globe and Superior, we again passed through the Queen Creek Tunnel (built in 1952).

Jerome, Arizona

Last spring our family enjoyed a day in Jerome, Arizona.  Jerome is an old mining town on Cleopatra Hill in Northwestern Arizona.  Visiting Jerome takes you back to the rough and tumble mining days of Arizona. During its heyday it was known as the "Wickedest town in Arizona".  It is definitely worth planning a day trip to see.

Art and History mix for visitors to Jerome, Arizona

Situated along Cleopatra Hill, Jerome, Arizona, boasts the historic title of "The Wickedest Town in Arizona." Known as a lucrative copper, gold and silver mining town, it also boasted brothels, gambling, and wild saloons.

Located on Arizona Route 89A, Jerome is South of Clarkdale, West of Cottonwood, and stands at 5,435 feet in elevation.

History of Jerome, Arizona
Named after Eugene Jerome, a New York attorney who was one of the organizers of the United Verde Copper Company in 1882, smelters were first located in Jerome, but later were moved to Clarkdale where expansion could occur. The first Post Office was established on September 19, 1883, with Frederick Thomas named its first Postmaster. Oddly enough, Jerome never visited his namesake!


Continue reading on Examiner.com Art and History mix for visitors to Jerome, Arizona - Phoenix Historic Destinations | Examiner.com