Thank - you everyone for your suggestions. I have decided to stop at Montezumas castle on the way there and Acrosante on the way back. Had the Rock Springs Cafe lined up, but after the Roach story -- I am uncertain. It was a very funny story. Can anyone tell me exactly how to get to the Montezumas castle site heading north from Phoenix to Sedona on I-17? It does not come up on a map and I dont know if it is part of Camp Verde or uses the same exit. I have been told both that it is the exit before camp verde ans that it is the exit after camp verde. I am very confused. Does anyone know an adress I can put in mapquest. Someone said there is a casino almost right in that area (Thanks!), but I do not know the name of it. When I go on my trip, I will happily tell everyone about it!

It's Cliff Castle Casino. Here is a link to the park's web page.

http://www.nps.gov/moca/pphtml/planyourvisit.html

The roach story was real. I was NOT kidding. The place is a complete dive. We only laughed about it because we were punch-drunk from having been up and traveling for 14 hrs. at that point. My daughter did not laugh. That place was awful - food inedible except for the take out pies.

Dear Skai:

You cannot miss the exit off I-17. The sign will say Montezumas Castle. I agree that Rock Springs Cafe is a dive. It is the old greasy spoon-type place for a quick bite, coffee & pie. My guide book didn't recommend the food, only the pies. You might take a look and have a potty break.

Have fun on your trip!!

MY

Michelle, that's so funny, because that's exactly what I said in the posting I did about it. Close your eyes, go in and buy the pies (20 something varieties), and leave!

Thank-you all!
I am comfortable getting to and from Montezumas castle now. Looks like I follow directions to cliff castle casino and then drive 1/2 mile pass it. My Mom once said that Palmetto bugs - the giant cockroaches - brought good luck. Of course, she also said the same thing about spiders and Daddy-Long-legs, not to mention crickets. Last item - the restaurant Oaxaca in Sedona -worth going to?

Oaxaca is on 89A smack in the middle of Uptown Sedona, the main "toursit drag" where the tour buses stop. I avoid this area at all costs. But if you are going to that area, Oaxaca can provide you w/a decent Tex-Mex experience in a nice environment, and good good margaritas. There is upstairs seating and if you position yourselves correctly up there, you can see some of the setting sunlight reflecting off the rocks behind Uptown, and some people watching on the main drag below.

Did I mention that the margaritas there are good?

I am especially interested in your telling us about Acrosante when you get back. I am considering going there in March on the way back to Sedona.

Dear Skai:

I did not care for Oaxaca. I liked Javelina Cantina better, although it is supposed to be part of a chain.

Dear emd:

My dad, rest his soul, was a truck driver and LOVED stopping at those types of "greasy spoon" places. He would have enjoyed the Rock Springs Cafe. For all I know, he could have stopped there!!

MY

I wanted to like it; it was 9 pm. and we were hungry and wanted to chill, and I usually like those types of places, and it looks pretty cool from the outside (sort of like somethng from "Rawhide").

In Sedona, Javelina Cantina is not part of a chain. The owner is Mark Shugrue, who also owns Shugrue's Hillside Restaurant in the same complex as the Javelina Cantina.

USNR, we had a very nice meal at Judi's - thanks for that recommendation