Tag Archives: history

Mile High Ghost Town Jerome Arizona

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This week, April M. Williams and the crew of “Where Are You Today?” go back in time to visit Jerome, Arizona. Once a thriving mining town, Jerome is now home to an artist’s colony nestled amongst the relics of days gone by.
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On our trip from the Grand Canyon to Phoenix, we stopped by Jerome, Arizona. The mines closed long ago and the town was but a ghost town. For most areas in this predicament, the story would end here as the earth reclaimed the buildings crumbling down the hillsides it was built on.

Not in Jerome. Artists found this quite town near Sedona perfect for living and working. Small shops opened to showcase their works. When tourists driving through the winding turns on Route 89A pulled over to shop, cafes and restaurants opened catering to their needs. Soon visitors found bed and breakfasts sprouting out of newly renovated homes.

A local craftsman creates custom sundials and sells them in town. Did you know they will only be accurate if they are designed for the exact location they will be used?

We had lunch at the Mile High Grill & Inn. Arriving at midday, the restaurant was not crowded. We dined near a large window which lit up the large room. The staff was friendly and helpful.

Mile HIgh Grill Jerome AZ

I had a vegetarian sandwich called Greg’s Aria which was roasted red pepper, pesto, red pepper aioli, and mozzarella on ciabatta bread. I choose tater tots over french fries.

Wondering what else we found in Jerome? Click on the image below to see this episode of “Where Are You Today?”


Mile High Grill & Inn on Urbanspoon

So You Think You Know Hawaiian History?

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We travel to Hawaii often and likely know more about Hawaiian history than the casual tourist to the islands. Our visits include stops at cultural and history sights important to making Hawaii the diverse location that it is. Then we met Richard Wong, tour guide for Ohana Tours. When our friends at Ohana Tours heard about our love of history and Honolulu they invited us to check out the weekend walking tour of the downtown area. We took our ohana (family) to meet Richard on a recent Sunday morning.

Our adventure began in downtown Honolulu in front of the golden Kamehameha Statue in the heart of the city. You can see this statue on the Hawaii state quarters released as part of the state series. For the next two hours Richard shared history of Hawaiian culture, religion, politics and people. As history buffs ourselves, we were overwhelmed by the detailed stories our guide shared with us. Richard is a gifted story teller. His vivid words and smooth delivery made the tales come alive for us. Drawing on a long career as a Honolulu police officer, he personalized his tales with accounts from his time on the force.

We found another link between us and our guide. To bring the islands to us when we are in the Midwest, we started watching the Hawaii 5-0 television series starting at the pilot. I get chills every time I hear the Hawaii Five-0 theme song playing. The show ran for 12 years from 1968 to 1080 and was filmed in Hawaii. The second floor of the Iolani Palace was the fictional state police headquarters. Many scenes were filmed at the iconic Ilikai Hotel in Waikiki overlooking Duke Kahanamoku’s Lagoon and the Honolulu Marina. Richard worked security during many of these shoots and shared stories of the cast and crew. He even had a few on screen parts.

You can read more about our tour on the www.808talk.com article. Listen to how Richard started out our tour below. If you are  staying in Honolulu over a weekend, check out Ohana Tours for information or reservations.

World War Two Pearl Harbor Survivor Herbert Weatherwax

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We are enjoying our visit to Honolulu on the always beautiful island of Oahu in Hawaii. Yesterday we visited the Pearl Harbor Memorial and met a 92 year old Pearl Harbor survivor of the day which has lived in infamy, Dec. 7, 1941. Herb Weatherwax was born in Oahu and was at Pearl Harbor during the attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese. Herb later served in the Battle of the Bulge before fighting in Germany.

Raised in Hawaii, Herb found the Midwest winters too cold and returned to the Hawaiian Islands after World War II. Herb can be found volunteering at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center three days a week. He enjoys meeting with and signing autographs for the thousands of visitors he meets each year.

Click on the image below to view this episode of “Where Are You Today?” Turn up your speakers and listen as Herbert Weatherwax introduces himself to you. Enjoy this history moment of history.

I am very grateful to have met several Pearl Harbor survivors on my travels to Hawaii. Many of these soldiers toured the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center last year for the final Pearl Harbor Survivors reunion. As they reach their 90’s it is harder for them to travel, especially long distances. Here are the stories of other Pearl Harbor survivors.