Prescott AZ Jan 18 - 20

Another holiday and a four day work week, beginning with a three day weekend.  I had originally thought I’d spend the two day weekend at the library.  When I figured out it was a three day weekend, I changed my mind.  I should have planned it a little better, as on MLK day many places were closed, including the library.  Had I thought about it beforehand, I would have spent Saturday at the library and did the things I did on Saturday or Sunday on Monday.  But that wasn’t the way it worked.  I started out at Home Depot Saturday morning and did a workshop on tile.  I learned about lots of different pre-sets and grout and cement board and times.  It was extremely educational, and I hope I can retain the information.  From there, I jumped on the expressway and headed to Prescott. 

Prescott is a little historical town in Arizona.  Most of the historic district burned down in 1900 but construction started quickly afterwards and most of the historic area was built in the first couple of years after the turn of the century.  The most popular area of the historic district is Whiskey Row, at one point a condensed section of town specializing in various vices, but now it’s a variety of bars and restaurants and gift shops.  I walked Whiskey Row before deciding where I would stop for a cocktail.  I stopped at a couple, which I didn’t like…. cash only signs or questionable clientele…and ended up towards the beginning and took a second look at The Palace.  Its listed in the top 10 most historic bars in the US and a previous water hole for Wyatt Earp and Doc Holiday.  It was an excellent choice.  I just went in for a drink, cause that’s what you do when you are on Whiskey Row.  The staff was all in historically appropriate costumes, which I loved.  And a group of old me in historical historical costumes hung out at a table behind me drinking beer.  I chose a drink that contained a splash of Doc Holidays favorite whiskey (Old Overholt) called a Peace Maker.  It also contained grenadine, simple syrup and 7-up.  One look at the menu and I regretted hitting fast food on the drive to Prescott.  I was hungry yet and they had corn cowder on the menu.  I love corn chowder and haven’t had it in awhile.  Mentally, made plans to come back at some point during the weekend, when I was hungry.

I wandered a little more around town and popped into a number of gift shops.  There was a religious group standing on the corner screaming things at the shops across Whiskey Row and screaming in a way that makes what they are saying unclear, but its loud enough that it interferes with my audio book and it cuts through my ear bugs.  I figured it would be only a matter of time before the cops showed up, because “disturbing the peace” is “disturbing the peace” no matter what is being said.  But I overheard a couple talking and apparently the screamers are regular.  It made me sad because I tried to get away from the screaming as quickly as possible and I left the area.  I was a little irked by the disturbance.

Earlier, I had checked for historical theaters in the area and Prescott doesn’t have any.  They have a modern multiplex and a couple of performing arts theaters. I did a little digging and there was a show at the Prescott Center for Performing Arts for their local theater group.  I decided to seek it out and purchase a ticket. 

Had a couple of hours to waste before the show started, so headed to a nearby historical restaurant and had a cocktail and some bar food.  It was Murphy’s Restaurant.  I wasn’t that hungry, but I like doing the historical places and Murphys is in an old Mercantile and General Store building built in 1890.  The food was good but expensive.  They have some good lunch and happy hour food specials, I may be back.

Finally got to the play.  It was obviously local and the theater was very small.  The play was called “The Gin Game” and was a two person play.  Every member of the audience appeared to be related to the cast or somehow associated with the theater.  There was maybe 20 or 30 people there.  I was happy to add my number to the mix.  The performance was good, but I didn’t like the play.  It just filled me with anxiety and I was full body clenched through 90% of the play.  I thought maybe it was locally written, because who write such a sad, meaningless play?  Apparently its been around since the mid 70’s and has won a Pulitzer and I just suck and enjoying a good play.  I still didn’t like it.

Sunday morning, I started at the Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary.  It’s a zoo, but all their critters are rescues.  Many were orphaned as babies in the wild or were part of the exotic pet trade.  I met a blue tongued skink with major scoliosis due to being fed cat food for its developing years.  It was weird and lumpy.  Also spoke with a volunteer regarding the Clouded Leopards which I figured would be extinct by now.  But apparently, they’ve figured out ways around the death by breeding issues, so now all their issues are human based.  Luckily, there are a number of successful breeding programs out there, so we’ll be able to keep the genetic lines going until appropriate habitat is available.

Headed back to the Palace and enjoyed a bowl of the best Corn Chowder I’ve ever had along with a half a Ruben sandwich.  Decided to go less sweet on the cocktail and had a Peach Pecan Old Fashioned.  I could have used a little bit more sweet.  But it was ok, and I probably won’t order one again.  Although I may drive to Prescott for every opportunity for more corn chowder.

Ended the weekend back in Flagstaff and headed to the movies.  Watched “Underwater” which was pretty much Aliens but at the bottom of the sea.  And “Dr Doolittle” which was adorable.