You may be asking, how on earth did this tiny town in the middle of nowhere; population...are you ready for this? 400!! come into my life? Well, it all started with a great big idea that the lovely Annie & I had one day while we were bouldering in good ole Tennessee...it kinda went something like this...
"We should go on a road trip!" "Yeah, that'd be a great idea! I'm pretty sure you may be one of the only people in the world that I could live in a car with for that long!" "Yeah I was thinking the same thing about you!" "I've always wanted to make the drive out West...." "Me too...."
2 weeks later, we were packing up her Mazda with all of the essentials...clothing, food, climbing gear, camera gear, music, journals, an open mind and a yearning for the open road.
(check out a quick photo summary of this amazing trip at www.shinesphotography.net) ;)
Long amazing story - short - we had a plan to go to Maynards tasting room (Caduceus Cellars) which just so happened to be located on top of this amazingly simplistic looking 'mountain'.... topped with a "J".
The drive up the 'mountain' we kept asking each other..."I wonder why he would put this out here in what feels like the middle of nowhere?" This question was quickly answered.
As soon as you 'step foot' into this town, you feel welcomed. You feel the love radiating from the earth, from the buildings, the people walking down the street, you are surrounded by happiness.
I could truly go on for days about this town. As my close friends know... I light up when I talk of Jerome. Annie and I saw some of the most spectacular sights on our cross-country trip... and once we returned to Nashville... all I could think about was Jerome...
I have had the biggest craving to live in California. For as long as I can remember... that's what I wanted. So, when this little bitty town took over that desire, and literally stole my heart... I knew what I had to do.
Which brings us to this blog!
One of my best friends, David (Lee, Leon, Cupcake, Leonard) & I are heading West in less than a week now, to scope out one of the most amazing places I've ever been...to search for a place for me to live. We are flying into Phoenix and making the short 2 hour drive up to Jerome. I am glowing with excitement to see this place again. And to show someone else!
We will be camping, exploring, researching, enjoying and taking it all in, one day at a time.
So, on that note, here are a few photos from mine and Annie's Jerome adventure to hold you over until Jerome Part TWO!! :)
Jerome.... HERE I COME!!
So excited for your trip!! I will be sure to follow your site and try to imagine I am along for the ride!! :-)
ReplyDeleteYou are going to have a blast. I am going to miss you tons when you move!! Who will I talk in hand signals and gibberish with? No one will ever know what I'm trying to say!! muah! Have fun. See you in a week. Be careful. Don't leave cupcake in the sun to long, he will melt.
ReplyDelete