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Watson Lake in Prescott: A Photo Essay

Yesterday, my husband and I took a break from our work and went on a half-day trip to Prescott, Arizona. We’d been there twice before–once, 23 years ago and once, 15 years ago. This time we got to see parts of the area we’d never seen before.

We took the long scenic drive up, through Wickenburg and then north on Highway 89. We drove up through a mountain pass to Yarnell, which was a small town nestled among hills and valleys of the biggest boulders I’ve ever seen. I wanted to stop and take photos, but figured I could do that on the way back. Unfortunately, we took a different route home and I didn’t get photos of Yarnell.

After Yarnell, we continued on and climbed up another mountain pass, reaching an elevation of 6,000 ft. and driving through a forest. Prescott was nestled right up against the mountain and forest, and had at least one campground on the outskirts of town. Almost immediately we were driving right into the old downtown, complete with a large square where their courthouse was situated. Lots of people strolled around the town square, walking their dogs.

We parked and then walked around the town square, visiting first a gift shop and then a coffee shop where we sipped iced coffees and split a warm cinnamon roll.

We continued around the square and visited several antiques shops and some gift shops. We got a chuckle out of some of the cute names of businesses.

After we’d used up our two-hour parking limit, we drove to Watson Lake. Wow! It’s not a huge lake, but the setting–among large boulders and rock walls–was absolutely beautiful! I took a couple dozen photos. We saw a couple of lizards on the hiking trails and watched as some people canoed in the lake, while other people climbed down the rock wall face.

Unfortunately, we didn’t plan ahead. My husband and I were both wearing sandals and did not bring walking sticks, so we didn’t do a lot of hiking–too much chance of encountering scorpions or snakes. We did, however, bring bottled water.

We drove home an easier route, through Prescott Valley and then over to I-17, stopping off for a late lunch at a factory outlet mall. What a wonderful day it was!

I hope you like my photos!

susanfinlay :

View Comments (11)

  • I love that part of Arizona. Visited Prescott often when I lived in Phoenix. :D Thanks for the trip down memory lane!

    • Thanks, Susan! I was amazed at the beautiful scenery around Prescott. Prescott and Prescott Valley seem to be growing a lot. According to our atlas, both have a population a little over 40,000.

  • Fabulous photos and views. American is so diverse and always surprises. It is fun seeing all of them through your eyes. I've done my she of seeing such places too but never got time to take photos as we always had people with us, and teens especially cannot be bothered, plus we were on tour and on the way to a gig or interview of whatever. So glad you had time to take it all in. Wonderful, thanks for sharing.

    • Thanks, Jane. I sometimes slow my husband down when I'm taking so many photos, but I can't help it. The photos help me see details that I miss, and they help the memories last.

      • Creators of memories for many years into the future Susan. I love them as you know. I love other's photos too. Fascinating stuff. :)

  • Great pictures and a real joy for those of us who only know teeny bits of America. I have a very dear friend who is from Arizona and it's lovely to see where he was born and raised.

    • Thanks, Diane! We're only just now discovering places here in Arizona. So much more to explore.

  • For some reason, the massive stones, some of them which are upthrust, make the area seem so very, very ancient and filled with mystery.

  • Sounds like you had a fantastic day.  Don't you love those kinds?  Sometimes it's good for the soul to just sit back and look at nature.Love you guys

    • Thanks, Judy! It really was a fantastic day. I told Will, while we were Prescott, that you would like that town.