I love Jerome so much, it is probably my favorite place, on the planet that I have visited. If I ever got the chance I would hope to one day live there among the many artists, and hippies and down to earth society.
I drove from Peoria, a solo run through the desert, in about 1999, coming over the mountain, and then, into the city on the hill, it was just absolutely amazing. I visited the Brewery/pizza parlor. One of the Cafe's over looking Sedona Valley, for a late breakfast. Then an espresso/breakfast bar, wedged in between two narrow streets. I went to the gift shops, and gave up some rocks/gemstones, that I had found and was given a book in return, "Gemtrails of Arizona." The shop owner was very nice, or who-ever was working that day? Funny, on my way back to Peoria, which was home for awhile, I saw something way down in the valley, on the Phoenix side of the mountain. I set the book down on a big rock, I looked through some binoculars, and noticed the place, was a slaughterhouse for beef; I was so disgusted, I forgot the book there at that pullout, Danggiit!
Upon a second visit, I went to the Gold King Mine. On a third visit, I hiked and rode my mountain bike above and beyond, the reaches of town, I found a slab of Malachite, so beautiful, which, when I was starving and broke, I later sold, for a mere 40 bucks, the lady who bought it was planning to cut it up, and use it for a mural, it was two and a half pounds, and had an alluvial fan, that went in a circle, about three inches across or more, the sheen was so georgeous, I never should have sold that gemstone! I found in the hills above Jerome.
One night I parked up oh the hill just above the Gold King Mine/Ghost Town. It was one of the greatest meteor showers we have, I want to say it was late in the year, like December. It was so cold, I remember. There were two or sometimes three meteorites flying across the sky at the same time! One appeared, to be coming straight down, while two others would race in, as if head on! It was a most memorable evening of course, I must have seen 1,000 meteorites or more that night. The next morning I tried to start my car, it was dead, funny huh? So I was able to park it at the Gold King Mine, and got a ride back toward Phoenix, from a collector of, fire axes. We stopped by some interesting places on our return.
Well back to Jerome, the views from her high and lofty perch, amazing sunsets, amazing red skies, woderful people, artists and the high life. Just a small town, but it leaves such a lasting impression, I can not wait til I can come back again. Jerome, a her?, well whatever, you know. Jerome Arizona, the high city on the hill. The clubs are rockin', the tourists shops hoppin', the views are amazing and the natives are friendly. One of these days, my own arts may shine, and be sold in Jerome, until the end of time. So many great things there, a gem crazed rockhound myself. It's a place where you can search your soul, and find yourself.
 
Douglas  Holden