Arizona Tourism Hall of Fame writer has traveled one end of the Grand Canyon State to the other and says Cottonwood is best place to call home
By Roger Naylor | Camp Verde Bugle
It’s the time of year when we count our blessings. While I have a long list of things to be thankful for, I’ll focus on just one item — the town that has been my home for 23 years. I’m thankful for Cottonwood.
I’m not sure what drew us here. The first time I drove through Cottonwood was 1975 while a college student at Northern Arizona University. Seems like there was only one stoplight then but maybe my memory is faulty. In any case, the town wasn’t huge.
In the ensuing years I passed through the burg a few more times. I camped at Dead Horse Ranch State Park, stopped for an occasional meal, that sort of thing. I felt no special attachment to the town yet when my wife and I were preparing to make a permanent move to Arizona nearly a quarter of a century ago, Cottonwood dominated our discussions. It had everything we were looking for — a small town with charm, a beautiful setting, good climate, and good location.