Wrote a song about it!
Almost from the first moment we saw our home-to-be, Don began saying I’m living the country life.
After living here a while, the words became a song, and the song became a video.
We had a lot of fun putting this video together and hope you’ll enjoy it too
Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy.
-Sheila
Don & Sheila in their Trabuco Canyon garden for the last time. May, 2022
Sheila, River, Kody, and a bunch of boxes, hitting the road.
Don's view from the rental truck.
We arrived after midnight on Friday, May 13th.
This was taken from our north-facing porch.
We're home.
Our house is at the south east corner of the property.
Here's an aerial view from the north.
Our chicken coop.
We've got chickens.
We've got eggs.
We've got boxes.
We've got more boxes.
We've got indoor bugs.
We've got outdoor bugs too.
This evening concert featured the Central Arizona Concert Band
We've got barn cats. Click here for the back story.
We've got horses.
Bekah and Donny delivered them from SoCal the week of June 5th.
July 2022
Fourth of July parade in downtown Prescott. (We learned it's pronounced press-kit, not press-cot.)
We're about ten minutes away from Granite Creek Vineyard, a combination vineyard/cat rescue. They feature local bands every weekend.
The city of Prescott hosts many free music events in and around the town square. This bluegrass festival features some very good regional bands.
This evening concert featured the Central Arizona Concert Band
We're about 20 minutes away from Goldwater Lake.
October
I saw this little cutie crawling across our front porch. If all goes well, he'll take wing this spring as a North American Yellow Swallowtail.
Two bassmen
My friend Chad Watson and his wife Pam Loe were performing at Fort Verde Days in Camp Verde.
Chad and Pam are super nice, and super talented.
Exploring the area
Sheila and I took a short vacation to Cottonwood, AZ to celebrate her birthday month.
Cottonwood is in the Verde Valley, about 30 miles from our home as the crow flies.
This was the view from our Airbnb
Tuzigoot
After having breakfast in Old Town Cottonwood, we asked our waitress if she had any suggestions for things to see.
She said we should visit Tuzigoot, a local Monument.
Tuzigoot is a 1,000 year old 110 room hilltop pueblo.
From the top, looking southeast.
The view from inside one room of the pueblo. The room also has a ladder leading to the top.
Inside the Tuzigoot visitor center. The pottery shown was reconstructed using small pieces found in the 1930's during the excavation.
They also unearthed children's toys, arrowheads, tools, and shoes.
Bargain of the century.
For $80, we purchased a lifetime National Parks membership.
If you come to visit, we'll take you to the Grand Canyon.
Montezuma Well
Montezuma Well is also managed by the National Park system. A short hike reveals this beautiful well.
The well has water year round, and hosts species of animals found nowhere else.
Cave dwellings on the northwest face of the well.
These stairs lead to a path near the water's surface. From there, you can see the hidden area where the well water drains to the creek.
Montezuma Castle
These cliff dwellings, built on a south-facing wall, provided shade in the summer and protection from the cold of winter.
It was a beautiful day for a walk in the Verde Valley area.
Sedona
The rocks are so vivid and detailed, it's almost as if you could reach out and touch them.
...and that's just in the parking lot.
Mingus Mountain
Sheila, Bekah, and I took a day trip to Jerome. We stopped at a scenic turnout and Bekah happened to capture an image of a flying goldfish.
Mortimer Farms
Sheila and Gracie enjoying some fall colors at a local farmers market.
Bearizona
Bearizona, about 40 miles NW, near Williams, AZ, is a drive-through wild animal park.
December 2022
We had a special Thanksgiving treat. Donny came to visit and he surprised us by bringing Don's sister, Lisa.
While they were visiting, we took a day trip to Jerome AZ, Clarkdale, and Cottonwood
Don, Lisa, Donny, and Bekah at the Verde River, near Cottonwood, AZ
Gracie with Uncle D
Sheila and I went to the Wickenburg Bluegrass Festival in November.
We met up with our California friends, Eddie and Terry.
Eddie brought a guitar and mandolin and we did a little parking lot picking.
Bekah and Sheila enjoying local wine and live music at Chateau Tumbleweed in Clarkdale AZ.
First snow
December brought our first snow. This is a small pine tree we've decorated in our front yard.
Here's a view from a little further away.
Our horses are experiencing their first snow. Don says "They're designed for outdoor use." But it still looks pretty cold.
Our barn cats are having their first winter. They've grown a bit. They're not as fat as they look. Their fir has gotten very fluffy for winter.
The cats are smart enough to walk around the snow when they can.
The dogs, on the other hand, would rather play in it.
Acker Night 2022
James S. Acker arrived in Prescott in 1902. He found success first as a store owner, and later as a real estate agent.
When Acker died in 1955, he wanted the remainder of his estate to be used for parks and for promotion of music, particularly for children.
In the 80’s, Acker night began as a musical showcase for local talent.
It’s become a Prescott tradition and one of the biggest nights in town.
Streets in the town square are blocked off and local musicians perform throughout the area.
Music includes kids' choirs, singer-songwriters, rock bands, and everything in between.
In front of each performer is a green tip bag. Money collected supports music programs for Prescott’s youth.
It was wonderful seeing so many people enjoying music, community and Christmas together.
We had some old and new friends over for a Christmas gathering.
We had a bit of pickin' too.
Our granddaughter and her friends decorated our outdoor tree with Auntie.
The girls and Auntie Bekah having a little couch time.
Gracie celebrating her fourth birthday with her besties.
Merry Christmas
That's all for now. Have a wonderful Christmas. We'll catch up in January.
Ringing in the New Year
Prescott is a town that likes to celebrate. This year, we brought in the new year Prescott style.
We dressed warmly and joined the crowd on Whiskey Row.
In Times Square, they drop a ball at midnight. In Prescott, we drop a boot.