Sharlot Hall Museum, Prescott, Arizona

Over the years, it has become our annual tradition to visit the small town of Prescott in early December. That event always, without fail, ignites the spirit of Christmas for us. The Courthouse is jubilantly lit; the sidewalks are packed with carolers and shoppers, each greeting one another as neighbors; music of hometown talent fills every shop; and the air is winter crisp. On our way to the downtown square, we walk past the Sharlot Hall Museum, its historic buildings set in a lush garden park. In the heart of the garden is a gazebo where Don plays with the Territorial Brass Band each September. We made our holiday pilgrimage Friday night, which inspired this ink and watercolor sketch. The Christmas season has arrived. We visited and laughed and had tea, picking up right where we had left off twenty-one years ago.