I’ll be honest: while I’m somewhat of a nerd for history, odd details, and general facts and trivia, I have scant details on the town of Jerome. If you want the basics, hit up The Google.

What Brooke and I did instead was visit Jerome purely on a whim, while autumn still had a tight grasp on Arizona. We experienced it with fresh, unassuming eyes, free of any preconceived notions typical of most excursions. We hadn’t even planned on coming to Jerome (not this day, at least), and didn’t even realize its proximity to Tuzigoot until the ranger mentioned it (OK, the road signs may have hinted, too).

We felt as if we stumbled upon some kind of hidden treasure.

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Since purchasing a National Parks Annual Pass at Montezuma Castle National Monument, my fiance, Brooke, and I have been eager to get our mileage out of the pass. Tuzigoot is a natural follow-up to Montezuma Castle National Monument, both built by the native peoples of this land many centuries ago.

An easy drive from Phoenix- I-17 North to 260 West, then just follow the signs in/through Clarkdale- brings you to the park entrance, leading you down a winding lane ending at the office and museum. You can actually see the Tuzigoot pueblo long before you arrive. If there’s a safe place to pull over, snap a picture of the skyline. I wish I had.

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