Clarkdale, AZ

~ Verde Valley Canyon Moon ~

Somewhere between Clarkdale and Perkinsville, AZ

You can drive from Clarkdale, Arizona to the old mining ghost-town of Perkinsville in an hour and twenty minutes, but why would you? The canyons of Arizona make you want to pull over on the side of the road, get out and explore, preferably with your camera.

Spectacular scenery draws visitors from around the globe to the old mining towns of Clarkdale, Jerome and Cottonwood. Look on the map, and you'll find this area is southwest of one Arizona's better known destinations, Sedona.

Sedona REALTOR (and AR member) Phil DiPasquale says it's only about 20 miles from Sedona, and he may be able to find you a mountain cabin in this magnificent area of Arizona.

But I digress...

The best way to see the Verde Canyon for the first time is by train. It's a lesiurely four hour excursion on the Verde Canyon Railroad beginning in Clarkdale. For two hours, you'll follow the green line on the map below, seated in the comfort of restored Pullman cars, taking in the awesome beauty that is this part of Arizona. (Click the active link to see the Verde Canyon Railroad's website. You'll be glad you did.)

My next trip will be this spring, and I'll drive the switchback road you see on the map below. You can bet I'll have my camera with me!

_____________________

I'm Mike in Tucson, your preferred Tucson Arizona Mortgage Lender.

NMLS #223495

SUNSTREET MORTGAGE llc ~ Correspondent Mortgage Bank
Offices (AZ) Mesa, Tucson, Sierra Vista, Nogales, and Albuquerque, NM.

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As the Verde Canyon Train snaked its way north through the valley from Clarkdale, hugging the canyon wall, I was definitely not in my seat! The vistas from the comfortable passenger cars are spectacular, but you can't look up.

Between the enclosed passenger cars on the Verde Canyon Railroad are open flat cars where amateur photographers such as I could look up to the canyon's rim to capture views unseen by the less adventurous.

It was cold the day after Christmas in the canyon! Inside the heated passenger cars, armchair travelers lounged in comfortable seats, looking out the windows, but enjoying only a small part of what the ride has to offer.

Not one of them looked up; from where they sat, there was no view in that direction--nothing to see.

Some took photos through the glass, and were satisfied. Others fell asleep, lulled by the click of the rails, the comfort of the car, and a glass of wine.

Not me!

2010 is here, my friends. The real estate market has limitless opportunity if we'll just get ourselves out of our comfort zone. Look up and around!

Make some new friends and cultivate new business relationships on Active Rain. We're closing in on 170,000 members! Are you spending most of your time with the same 15 - 20 Rainers? Look up!

Look for perspectives in your business that are available to all, but captured only by the relative few who make the effort.

___________________

I'm Mike in Tucson, your preferred Tucson, AZ Mortgage lender.

NMLS #223495

SUNSTREET MORTGAGE llc
Call me if I can help you or someone you know with a purchase or refi mortgage in Tucson, or anywhere else in the great state of Arizona.

(520) 349-9090

photos copyright Mike in Tucson

Okay. Not totally speechless... although the view from the train was more than magnificent! The awesome beauty of Arizona's "other Grand Canyon" made for one of the most memorable Christmas season's I've seen in six decades! I'll share more with you in this week preceding the new year.

We're blessed to live in Arizona!

EDIT: Verde Canyon Railroad: Get Acquainted With Northern Arizona's Verde Valley (Part 2) - 12/28/09

___________________

I'm Mike in Tucson, and I blog here on the Active Rain Real Estate Network just about every day.

I'm an internet based mortgage lender living in Tucson, Arizona. Read my blog, and get to know me. The internet allows me to perform at the highest level of trust and productivity for my Arizona clients.
Click the Active Rain link below to see my guarantee of service.

SUNSTREET MORTGAGE, LLC
a correspondent banker
Call me if I can help you or someone you know
with a purchase or refi mortgage.
(520) 349-9090

photo copyright Mike in Tucson