Rambling On Arizona
We've been living on the solar surface for the past ten days. Tempe temps will reach 117 tomorrow. Cheryl and I are rising with the roosters and hitting the road early. The gas tank is full. There's cooler weather up north. We're outta here, day tripping to Flagstaff.
This month marks nine years since I moved cross country from RI to AZ. I've been up and down this state, from a couple of runs to the border town of Nogales, to the northern stateline with Utah and Monument Valley, and many dusty points between. I've never spent significant time in Flagstaff. The pine forests of northern AZ have mostly been drive-thru experience. We've tanked up and dined fast in Flag several times on the way to other places. Tomorrow will be a day strolling the historic streets, old Route 66.
I broke out the storage drive with old pics. The Mittens of Monument Valley.
Socially and politically this state is fucked up place, but it's truly a beautiful land. I love the southwest. As much I wax nostalgic about my home state, New England, the history, the ocean and ethnicity of the northeast ... I'm glad I moved away.
We're often off to California for vacations. We've been all over that coast but this summer we'll be doing small excursions close to home. I don't think we're alone in that regard. People are trying to save a buck in this recession.
I've been to Sedona four times. It's great, touristy, but the best time was when James and I climbed Mt.Wilson overlooking Midley Bridge. It was awesome. We played a round of golf at Sedona Golf Resort, the most scenic I've played on, and did a fixed wing plane tour of the rocks. That trip was taken before we moved here. On another trip to the red rocks Jeffrey tossed lunch on a helicopter tour.
The Grand Canyon is a big hole after you've been there three times. I know men in their 30's. born, raised, never lived outside this state who have never been to the canyon. That's weird. If you ever go be sure to use the remote eastern entrance. Trust me.
The Grand Hole
I've been to Tucson many times. I have old friends there. We hit a gay bar near UA one night to see a blues band. We did not know Plush was a gay bar at the time, not that it mattered.
Tombstone is small and you can't get more campy than the old west attractions but it's a must see if you're near the Mexican border. Kids love this place but it's not really a kiddie town. At night the old Crystal Palace Saloon is still operating, with live music. The Oriental, where Wyatt Earp was a dealer, is now am 1880's period clothing store ... fabulous. Big Nose Kate's has a good nightlife. People go there every weekend in century old fashion to party at night. It's pretty cool.
Wonderfully Cheesy Tombstone
I can ramble about the interesting places in AZ but the whole time you're here the basic beauty of the land is ever present. The topography is amazing. There are always mountains on the some horizon. There are two completely different climates. Below the Mogollon Rim is the dry hot Sonoron Desert basin. Above the rim is rolling grasslands, high desert and Ponderosa Pines.
Tomorrow's trip to Flagstaff is exploratory, an expedition for future trips. We'll scout out the historic hotels, attractions and dining to see if it's worth coming up for a weekend the next time the mercury threatens 120 degrees. I'm looking forward to the San Francisco Peaks.
Maybe I'll take some pics. I sometimes forget. No promises. You never know what you'll find in this strange land.
The Longhorn Grill .... somewhere between Tucson and Mexico.
Best wishes for a safe & happy 4th of July holiday ... from the 48th state.