2020-10
Winslow Arizona
Flagstaff, Coconino
National Forest
Page Arizona
Kanab Utah
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| Glen Canyon Dam Bridge, Page AZ |
Campsite: Little
Painted Desert County Park. Couple of picnic tables. Restroom
closed. Overlook of the Little Painted Desert. Winslow Arizona.
FREE
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| Little painted desert county Park |
Campsite: Coconino
NF. Opposite entrance to Sunset Crater Volcano NM. Nice dispersed
campsite among tall nicely spaced pine forest. I was fairly close to
the entrance, so had lots of vehicles coming and going on the dirt
road/lot of dust plumes as they whizzed on by. Might be worth
driving a bit further back into the forest. Still a gorgeous
setting. FREE
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| Coconino National Forest |
Campsite: Page AZ.
Back parking lot of McDonald’s. Specifically for RV’s and
trailer towing. Stayed overnight, only one there overnight, very
quiet, well lit. Walmart’s across the street was loaded with Rv’s
all over the parking lot. FREE
Distance Traveled:
44 miles
Winslow AZ
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| Made famous by the song “Take it Easy” recorded by the Eagles. |
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| whole wall murals |
After waking up from
my parking lot location in Holbrook, I took the 38 miles drive to
another famous little town along Route 66, (hwy 40) Winslow Arizona.
Made famous by the song “Take it Easy” recorded by the Eagles.
“Well, I’m a-standin on a corner in Winslow Arizona and such a
fine sight to see. It’s a girl, my Lord, in a flatbed Ford slowin’
down to take a look at me.”
A trompe-L’oeil
mural by John Pugh and a bronze statue by Ron Adamson of a man
standing on the corner with a guitar by his side. Rather than take
the usual selfie, which I’m not a big fan of, instead I opted for a
cool Iced coffee and sat outside watching all the other tourists take
way to many pictures of themselves, standing, hugging, etc with that
now famous bronze statue. Two gals took enough pictures to fill a
complete album over a 20 minute period. Don’t think they ever
looked at the rest of the street or town.
Enjoyed walking
around the town, a couple of the tourist shops are open with limits
of 5 people at a time in each store. Somehow I wasn’t tempted into
buying yet another T-shirt. Did walk down to the La Posada Hotel,
one of the most famous of the grand hotels along the Santa Fe rail
line and once a Harvey House, which could feed the train passengers
in as little as 15 minutes before they would re-board the train.
Unfortunately the entrance was closed off, however, I did get a few
outside shots. Sure would have enjoyed touring the hotel. But that
will have to be another time.
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| La Posada Hotel |
I’m discovering
that having my vehicle/home all in one is most advantageous while on
the road, touring these little towns. After wandering around town, I
can go back to the camper, take a restroom break, stop and check the
internet and do some research as to my next stop or find out where
things are located in-town. it’s becoming one of my favorite
things to do.
While taking one of
these breaks, I checked out I-Overlander, an app I’ve downloaded
onto my tablet and phone, which gives great info for places to camp,
whether it be a commercial campground, or a free roadside stop or BLM
camp site. It suggested, Little Painted Desert Count Park which is
about a 20 minute drive north of town. So after completing my tour
of Winslow, I headed out into flat high country prairie with miles
and miles of sage brush stretching to the horizon. The Little
Painted Desert park sits along the edge of the Painted Desert. A
couple of picnic tables and a closed restroom are around the small
loop parking area. So far, a few cars have driven up and the
passengers get out, take a few quick shots, get back in and drive
off. Probably the same thing I would do, except I’m in no hurry and
plan to stay the night.
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| Little Painted Desert |
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| Little Painted Desert |
Before leaving the
area I visited Homolovi Ruins State Park. $7 self pay entry fee.
Aptly named as this site contains a few large 1,200 room pueblo
structures dating back to the 12th and 13th
century. Although the ruins were just that, as this site was
decimated by thieves looting the ruins for Indian pots and other
treasures. Still it provides additional knowledge of how vast the
Native Indian culture was throughout the west.
I might add,
although I was able to drive to each site and do a bit of self guided
touring, the visitor center/museum was closed and I didn’t see
another soul anywhere. Well, except for a half dozen wild mules
grazing on the high desert grass. The campground is open, via online
registration only.
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| pot shards were everywhere, please don't take any with you leave them where you found them. |
Distance Traveled:
68 miles
Forest, north of Flagstaff
All highway driving
on I-40 then north a short distance along hwy 89.
More forest camping
just north of Flagstaff. In the morning I headed on the loop road
through Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument and Wupatki National
Monument. I was able stop at the many turn outs along the way
through Sunset Crater. Lots of black laval and views of the volcano.
The quaking Aspen and pines against the black lava fields were
dramatic. Further on up the loop road through Wupatki NM,
unfortunately I was not able to amble around any of the adobe
structures as all were closed. A couple were visible from the main
road, but the parking lots were closed, or roads leading to them
blocked off. What a shame, as I had been here about 10 years ago,
and had missed a number of the sites. These Pueblo structures are in
excellent condition and well worth the effort to visit. But that
will have to wait until another time.
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| Sunset Volcano surrounded by lava fields |
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| Sunset Volcano crater |
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| Wupatki National Monument, closed at this time the dramatic pueblo's are not view-able from the main loop roads |
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| Wupatki National Monument |
Distance traveled:
119 miles
Page AZ
Well thank goodness
I didn’t take Alt 89 which is a steep road along the edge of the
Vermilion Cliffs. I had done that one years ago. Instead I took a
longer route to get into Utah, hwy 89. Well, should have known, it
too was a steep incline a couple thousand feet to the top. However,
the road was excellent, and easy to travel on and there was a
spectacular “scenic view” area ¾ of the way to the top. The
camper handled the grade beautifully I might add. The shear size of
the mountain ranges and dramatic sandstone cliffs and buttes are
breathtaking.
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| Page Az, Colorado River area |
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| Glen Canyon Dam, Colorado River |
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| this is Indian country, many roadside tourist gift sheds along hwy 89, currently closed with Covid 19 |
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| What a dramatic drive along hwy 89 into Page AZ road is well maintained as I climbed a couple thousand feet |
I stayed overnight
in the McDonald’s back parking lot designated for Rv’s and
trailers, not bad for in town rest stop. But I was eager to get to
Kanab Utah.
Distance Traveled:
75 Miles
Kanab Utah.
From Page, entering
Utah, the scenery changes dramatically. The sandstone walled cliffs
turn from a dark ominous red to a lighter terracotta color and the
mountains ranges begin to show signs of more vegetation. Kanab is a
delightful western town, surrounded by dramatic mountain ranges on
all sides. One that I particularly enjoy visiting. The shops and
restaurants are beginning to open up slowly. Lots of unique shops
and lots of places to explore.
My next report will
tell more about this western town…. and photos galore.
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