Walker Getaway...
Almost two years ago to this day Katie and I escaped the desert sun and heat and rented an AirBnB in Walker, Arizona. Walker is a very small community up in the mountains, just southeast of Prescott. This wasn't our first visit to this area, but the place we rented we fell in love with. And now, two years later, I sit on the patio of this same AirBnB that we rented, by myself, thinking about her, and all of the great moments we shared. Not only here, but in the area. We loved this area so much we actually started looking at cabins that were for sale. We even had a realtor show us a few places. That's a day we'll never forget as we were chased off one property and I was probably close to getting my head blown off. We'll save that story for another day. But before I get too far into this post, let me provide a little history of how we came to love Walker.
Right after Christmas in 2023 (like two days after), we rented a small cabin in Walker, not really knowing much about the area. And also when I say "we", I really mean she rented the cabin. She was great at making travel plans. So I was happy to trust her expertise and just go with the flow. This place we rented was small, cozy, and not easy to get to. I believe we arrived after dark, and Walker is in the middle of nowhere. Not to mention Walker is at about 7,000 feet in elevation so snow is definitely something you have to look out for. We settled into the cabin, enjoyed a quiet night, and then really had the chance to see walker the next morning once the sun was out.
We were amazed at the new world we discovered. Tall pine trees everywhere. Wind softly passing through the trees. It was incredibly quiet. Almost too quiet. And lots of terrain. The hills seemed to rise up around us in every direction. It almost felt like the exact opposite of the desert. There is a small lake nearby (Lynx Lake) which has a great gentle hiking trail around it. We did some hiking, spent some time in Downtown Prescott (she really hadn't spent anytime downtown) and just enjoyed the getaway.
Also on this trip I introduced her to the Hassayampa Inn. Its a historic (and haunted) hotel in downtown Prescott. I stayed there once years ago for a soccer tournament. Anyways, this hotel has the most charming bar where on many weekend nights they play soft live music. We stopped and had a drink or two, and it quicky became a must stop for us. We also strolled downtown Prescott (I don't think Katie had really been downtown before). It was a cold but beautiful evening. We enjoyed the Christmas lights and the peacefulness of the holidays.
On our way back home we drove through the mountains to Jerome (an old mining town, turned ghost town, and now small artist community) which sits literally on the side of a mountain. Its such a cool and funky town. We stopped for some food and a little sight seeing. Its a definite must stop for anyone visiting northern Arizona.
Anyways, our little escape was a short getaway but we were so impressed with the area that we knew we would come back, and often.
The next time we came back we rented the place I am in now, called the "Walker Getaway". Its this absolutely charming small but beautiful cabin with a view up the valley that's breathtaking. I had asked Katie if we could go in August. I wanted to see how much cooler it is during the summer versus Scottsdale. And I wanted to see if rain/storms were common during the summer (which is also our monsoon season) so we booked a long weekend in August. The cabin was better than we imagined. It is so peaceful, so quiet, and so beautiful. The highs this week in Scottsdale have been 110+, and up here its in the low 80's. With the nights down in the low 60's to upper 50's. When we were here two years ago it stormed every afternoon, and as I sit here typing this there is thunder overhead.
We came back to Walker in November of 2024, just a few months later. I think the Walker Getaway was booked (its incredibly popular and hard to book) so she found another place, which was also in the middle of nowhere. We wanted to get away as she has just started her intense chemo treatment, but more importantly, we had just gotten engaged. So we wanted to get away and celebrate. Because we came in November, it was cold, but the place we rented had a great wood burning fireplace. So every night we would have a fire and relax. It was so relaxing I can't even remember if it had a tv. The Walker Getaway had a tv. I note that because we watched the documentary on Netflix about the making of the song "We are the world". It was excellent and I remember watching that, sitting on the couch, Katie laying on my lap, thinking how perfect the night was. The cabin was super cozy, perfectly lit, and we were snuggled up together. It was perfect. Anyways, sorry to digress... but while back in November, we ventured into downtown Prescott, stopped at our favorite Inn (and their bar) and enjoyed a coupe of fabulous drinks. It was almost like the universe set the evening up for us. We got the best table, the drinks were fabulous! (as she would say), and the live music was this jazz duo playing music from the Charlie Brown Christmas Album. Which happens to be my most favorite Christmas Music of all time. I know I use the word perfect alot, but it was perfect. And I mean that. I also feel that anything we do (did), as long as I was with her, it was perfect. Cheesy, sure... but real. That night I took a picture of her (I would often take picutres of her). It has become my most favorite picture of her that I have. I think some of her friends wouldn't say its the best picture of her. Katie has this infectious smile and positive (almost bubbly) energy that comes through in photographs. But this image, to me, captured her soul. It captured her the way she was with me, the way she was to me. This incredibly beautiful, kind, content woman, happy and at peace. Which is remarkable given what she was going through. So this photo to me captures her in her purest form. Its the photo I used on the front page of this website. Its the photo that every time it comes up in my phone screensaver, I stop what I am doing and give it a kiss. As I believe it is her saying hi and wanting a kiss.
So, here I am, alone, at the Walker Getaway. I booked this trip a few months ago. I've been wanting to come back, but I've never vacation anywhere by myself. These past few months have been extra hard. I've put my house on the market, which required alot of work, repairs, etc. I bought a house in Michigan for my daughter to live in during school, and I'm trying to move into Katie's house full time. It is a lot of work. I've also haven't had any real time to myself since Katie passed. I mean, I get a few hours here and there, but nothing extended. That may be partially by design as its hard to be alone. But I thought coming up here, alone, would be good for me. I thought it would give me a chance to be at a place we both loved, maybe hoping to connect with again. I also felt I needed to get away. I needed a break. I am running on fumes, and my patience is gone. The smallest things could set me off, so I needed to recharge a little.
This visit has been good. It hasn't been as easy or relaxing as I had hoped, but I don't regret coming here. Its strange to be here alone. But with each passing hour I get more comfortable. I really haven't done much since I got here. I've tried to enjoy being outdoors and doing very little. I worked a little bit, and today I did that hike again. That was nice. The lake in the summer is busy. I was glad to see people out and enjoying it. There were alot of folks paddleboarding. It looked like fun. Katie has a paddleboard and now I'm tempted to learn how to use it. It looked so peaceful and relaxing.
I leave for home tomorrow. I am 50/50 on leaving. There is a part of me that can't wait to leave (because its weird being here alone) and part of me that never wants to leave. But I think overall its been a good trip. It was good for me that I came, for so many reasons. And right before I started this post, I had a visitor. Its one of those moments that happen when I am convinced that Katie is watching over me and letting me know she is there.
So, I'll end this post here. Thankful for being able to spend time in a place we loved. A place full of peace and beauty. I hope to come back again. Maybe next time with a paddle board, lol.
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