Miller Valley revisited

I walked from Iron Springs down to the CVS store this afternoon. Purpose: to record the changes since reporting on the Miller Valley empties last January. Before you read any further, do go back to that post. In particular, read all the comments; more than one old-timer has weighed in with stories about the past. Well worth your time!

So, what did I find out today? First, that the old filling station next to the True Value is now a rental place. All kinds of stuff. You can even rent the blow-em-up bounce machine for your next party. Didn't get the price.

The venerable El Chaparral has been succeeded by La Fonda, continuing the tradition of Mexican food. Anybody out there tried it yet?
And after all this time, the Hong Kong looks to be ready for opening day. All reports say that the proprietors of this establishment do a good job at a good price. Am I correct that these are the same folks who ran the Chinese buffet over behind the Costco and now have a similar place in PV?

Of course, we're all aware that the McDonald's is being rebuilt from the ground up. Even the raven below. I wonder if the franchisee will still offer that little play area; after spending time with my daughter and her super-bouncy OmegaDotter, I understand the appeal of such amenities!

Oops -- I didn't get a new picture of the wonderful rock building, but I'm happy to report that there is some sort of cosmetic or beauty operation there. Thus ends the good news. Now for the not-so-good news, i.e., the current empties. The former Stockman's Bank remains shuttered, with no clue as to any potential new business occupant.

That (dare-I-mention-it pink) building at the corner of Fair/Hillside also needs filling. Not that it was ever apparent just what sort of businesses held forth at that address. I do recall that when we first moved to Prescott in the 80s, there was a green grocer at the rear. Wouldn't it be wonderful to have a good green grocer again? Makes me recall the wonderful stores back in Chicago's Italian neighborhoods.

Also empty: the building across the street which formerly housed Prescott Classic Auto Parts, which has moved three doors down the block. I think that's all, but did you realize what a restaurant row this short stretch of Miller Valley Road has become? Once the McD and the Hong Kong are open, the total count from the Taco Bell down to Trishs' Lil Cafe will be nine. That's a lot of eating out.

California sent us water -- lots of it

Normally, the Lincoln Street creek crossing at Miller Valley is where the illegals gather daily to wait for job offers. But not yesterday. Those much publicized SoCal storms made it here Saturday night. By Sunday afternoon, the creeks that come together at Lincoln were roaring mountain streams
.Not really that deep, but a stream like this runs very fast and can sweep a car downstream before you know it. There have been at least two drivers drowned trying to cross the creek right here, during the time I've lived in Prescott.

Sson drove us up the White Spar to the Granite Creek crossing at Schoolhouse Gulch campground. Plenty of water here!

And here is the Park Avenue bridge across Aspen Creek, normally a trickle. More rain and possibly snow is promised for later this week. We should have a n absolutely gorgeous display of wild flowers down in the desert this February-March -- the rains have been almost perfect. Springtime in the mountains should be beautiful as well. Of course, there's also the much greater importance of this break in our long drought. BTW, 2007-8 were supposed to be La Nina years, i.e., very dry.

Miller Valley Empties

So just what is the problem with Miller Valley Road? Is it a location! location! location! issue? All I am aware of is that there are a surprising number of empty business buildings between Gurley and Iron Springs Road. Likely all that commercial construction on SR 69 has simply swamped the region with an oversupply of retail, restaurant and other business locations. (There are even empties in the Prescott Gateway Mall.)

The one good piece of news for the Miller Valley area -- a new Chinese buffet will occupy the building (above) almost completely vacated by The Oak Tree, which has closed. Welcome news, if the food is as good as the buffet near Costco that shut its doors. Of course, this building was built as a restaurant originally. But the long-time El Chaparral Mexican food operation (below) is still sporting a "for sale" sign. It's been at least a year.

No activity at the empty gas station next to the True Value...

...and the ID's been stripped from the sign next door -- a sign that declared the pretty little building below to be a branch of the Stockman's Bank, swallowed up back a while in yet another mini-merger. I had always believed the Stockman's Bank, which survived the Depression, to be a keeper; guess I was wrong!

Saddest of all to me is that the old stone building on the east side of the street has been up for rent for such a long time. Somebody went to a lot of trouble to save the historic structure but they haven't managed to get a taker. I've always loved the way it is nestled into the granites, front and back (below.)

A short walk of many sights

The street: Miller Valley Road near Fry's. I had a short walk before buying a few groceries. How do you like those parking area stakes, painted Indian-style with snakes. Ogg's Hogan, of course. (For Prescott visitors, a dealer in Native American rugs, arts and crafts.)

Fine winterish tree sight -- shadows on a wall. But a not-so-fine sight in the next batch of trees: the ubiquitous white plastic bag, flying as high and bright as a surrender flag. Why don't they make these bags and the fast food detritus in a tan color? Have you noticed that corrogated boxes in that kraft paper finish don't show up nearly as much by the side of the highway?
??? This is the only sign outside this business building. I guess those are hands for Papa, Mama and Baby Bear, maybe? As for the structure below, the shop specializes in all types of flooring, but always catches my eye with the painted sunflowers. Too bad about the dangling weather stripping, tho Christmas tinsel could hang from it.

This vacant lot sits next to one of the last homes on what was once a tree-lined residential street; the sign must have been weathering for a long time. I suspect owners have had drivers making turn-arounds in their lot for an equally long time.

A little further on and around the corner I spotted this sign of the times -- a reminder of America's rotten real estate market. Wonder just who these vultures are.

Next, into Fry's parking lot to find still more vanity license plates.

And into Fry's where I found still more suns such as those needed to cheer the dotter up in dark, dismal Alaska.

And, as a final note, a new role for the grocery store, being all things to all people -- just like Amazon today. I was so caught up in all the photo ops that I completely forgot the sharp cheddar cheese, despite my list.

Streets of Confusion

How come street names are always changing in Prescott, huh? Like our most famous chameleon street, Grove-Miller Valley- Willow Creek. My presumption is that the city grew by accretion and that each of these streets was already so well established in its home turf that change would have been impossible. So we have street signs like the one above, at the corner of Gurley and Grove/Miller Valley.

OK, here's the spot where it changes -- the street bends toward the northwest right (sorry, left) at the Lincoln Street crossing (above.) The next change occurs up at Formerly Five Points, where Iron Springs Road takes off northwest and Miller Valley segues into Willow Creek. Too much dangerous traffic to try to document that switch!

Here's the other favorite point of changing streets. Right at the Fry's corner on Miller Valley where Fair turns into Hillside and vice-versa. A street map certainly helps when you're trying to navigate our fair city!