We Be Trippin': The Great DIS-nee Road Trip

[Marshay]

Wow, Phoenix and Tempe look great! I love the architecture and plant life ... so different from what we have here in Virginia!

I think I'll take a stop at both the zoo and the wildlife park -- they look like fun!

 

[DSNY4ever]

First Chicken fried bacon, and now rattlesnake? I don't think we have anything that bizarre in California, but I'll start looking! Haha, great job so far!

 

[Calliaz]

There are many other interesting places in Phoenix such as the Herd Museum, but I'm running out of time here. We'll be taking a detour back to Scottsdale at some point, though.

Our next stop is a little bit north of Phoenix at Arcosanti. This is an experimental community envisioned and started by Paolo Soleri. He was an architect who studied under Frank Lloyd Wright. His concept is of a city that is in harmony with its surrounding ecology. It's a nice tour where you can see some of his ideas being put into practice. They've been trying to build his vision since the 1970s.

I own two Soleri Wind Bells and they are so beautiful. They help fund the construction at Arcosanti.

Next up is Montezuma Castle. This is a cool Native American archeological site. The actual castle is up in the cliffs. I'm no longer very thrilled by what my parents would call 'Indian Ruins." My entire childhood vacation memories seem to somehow involve driving somewhere and standing around for*ever* looking at ruins. I'm burnt out. However, there are two in the state that I am familiar with that I think are worthwhile. This is the first.

You can take a virtual tour inside the Castle as you can no longer go up there.

From here, we'll head over to Sedona. Sedona is mostly know for its beautiful red rocks. It is a gorgeous place (just don't wear white and hike around as you'll come back with red stains).

I have spent time camping in Sedona, but I've actually never been into the city proper. I know they have some great restaurants and shops, though.

My favorite place is Slide Rock. It's a place where you can get in Oak Creek and slide down a bunch of slippery rocks to a larger pool of water. Oak Creek is what forms the canyon where Sedona lies.

From here, you embark on what I think is one of the most beautiful drives. Highway 89A from Sedona to Flagstaff is really pretty.

We're going to stop for the night in Flagstaff. With the San Francisco peaks as a backdrop, it is a very pretty and cool place to be.

We'll have dinner at the Beaver Street Brewery.

After-dinner drinks are at the Mogollon Brewing Company where you can sample some Prickly Pear Vodka.

After all that booze, you'll probably need to sleep it off at Little America.

 

[Circusgirl]

What a dreamy day! After a very long day at work it was great to come home and drift through beautiful countryside (I especially loved the sliding), listen to the bells and feel the magic of the castle. Bonus for the great meal and relaxation. Aaaaah....Thanks!

 

[catotigger]

What a dreamy day! After a very long day at work it was great to come home and drift through beautiful countryside (I especially loved the sliding), listen to the bells and feel the magic of the castle. Bonus for the great meal and relaxation. Aaaaah....Thanks!

I agree! Thanks Calliaz!

You're doing a super job - I'm really enjoying Arizona!

 

[Calliaz]

Thanks guys! I may not get up another installment until Monday. I hope that's not a problem. I always end up grading on Saturday and Sunday because of when assignments are due.

 

[FirstTimeCaller]

Nice trip so far... I just needed to post a comment 'cause I had to go to the second page to find this thread! That's just not right...

Carry on...

 

[DISgeeksfromDC]

Nice trip so far... I just needed to post a comment 'cause I had to go to the second page to find this thread! That's just not right...

Carry on...

Thanks for the little "bump"!

 

[DISgeeksfromDC]

Hi, Guys! I don't know how I'm going to top that Texas romp, but it looks like I'm up next. I'm getting everything together to try and cover Arizona. Since I'm the only one here, I'm going to cover a good bit of the state.

I think we'll start in Tucson, which I am not as familiar with. You're just going to get the highlights of the places I know. Then we'll go through Phoenix and up to Sedona and Flagstaff. We'll visit the canyon and then end up in Page so DisneyFalcon can show us Colorado.

As you get ready, remember your gear. You'll need lots of light layers and you should always have some water with you. Arizona has both the city with the most days over 100 degrees and a city that has nearly the most days under freezing (in the lower 48). We also have all or nearly all climate zones covered (according to my Arizona History teacher). Yes, even tundra.

You should probably get into your rooms at the

Hacienda Del Sol

And prepare for this evening's monsoon storm

Ooooh! I love the looks of Arizona! Thanks, Calliaz.

'Sorry I haven't been posting. (I have been lurking, though.)

 

[DISgeeksfromDC]

We'll end the evening at El Charro, an historical Tucson Mexican Food restaurant.

We'll start with the Tostada Grande

For the more traditional there are enchiladas

Or, you could be more adventurous with a chile relleno

You should save some room for dessert at the Blue Willow Restaurant

Bread Pudding

I see we'll continue to enjoy amazing food in Arizona. I say we keep my guidelines (especially #1) in play!

Yum!! Good call, Cat!

 

[DISgeeksfromDC]

It's been busy here, but DD & DS have both started back to school so maybe things will slow down a bit. DS had his 1st day of Kindergarten today. It was kind of hard sending him off, but he was excited to be going. It will be quiet now that both kids are in school. DW and I won't know what to do with ourselves.

My DD starts her first day of Kindergarten next week. ('Bet she handles it better than I do... )

 

[DISgeeksfromDC]

I'm here! I was just swamped with papers to grade over the weekend. I'll have something up ASAP.

I may not get up another installment until Monday. I hope that's not a problem. I always end up grading on Saturday and Sunday because of when assignments are due.

No worries!! (What do you teach?)

 

[DISgeeksfromDC]

Wow, Phoenix and Tempe look great! I love the architecture and plant life ... so different from what we have here in Virginia

Agreed!

I have these romantic notions about how great it would be to visit places like Arizona and coastal Maine, because they're so utterly different from where I currently live. (I'm getting to visit one virtually, at least... Thanks, Calliaz! Oh, and HMFan's leg of the journey (especially the Cape Cod part) 'sorta gave me my coastal, lighthouse "fix"...)

 

[Calliaz]

No worries!! (What do you teach?)

I teach online for Axia College. Right now I have 2 sections of business communications and 2 of essay writing (basically English 102). It's great being able to be home. Of course, my baby started Kindergarten on Thursday so I'll have some more time in the day to do work and not have to do everything Saturday and Sunday.

 

[Calliaz]

There are so many things to do in Flagstaff that we don’t have time for everything. In the summer, one of my favorite things to do is take the ski lift up into the San Francisco Peaks. On a clear day, you can see a very long way.

In town, you can head to Lowell Observatory. They are open during the day, but the best time to go is at night. You can look through the telescope and get a guided tour. Lowell Observatory is where Pluto was discovered. The poor not-a-planet.

To the east side of Flagstaff is Sunset Crater, a volcanic site that erupted between 1040 and 1100. It killed all plant life within a 5-mile radius and the landscape is still quite surreal. The San Francisco volcanic area has over 400 volcanoes.

My favorite thing to do at Sunset Crater was visit the ice cave. This was a cave formed by a lava flow. The tube inside was so cold that there was ice nearly year-round. Apparently, this is now closed.


Also on the east side of town is Walnut Canyon, a Sinagua Indian cliff dwelling. You can get much closer here and the landscape is very pretty.

Many people like to drive to the Grand Canyon along this eastward route. There are definitely plusses. You see more of the Canyon going in. You can also take side trips to the Petrified Forest (where the Painted Desert really looks painted):

Or take a gander at Meteor Crater.

Someday I want to stay at the La Posada hotel in Winslow (after standin’ on the corner). It was designed by Mary Coulter (famous for the many buildings at the Canyon). As a resort, it cost nearly $2 million to build—the same as $40 million today.

I like the route to the Grand Canyon from the western side of Flagstaff. Mostly because that’s the way I went as a child. You get to drive through a beautiful stand of aspen trees. Plus, there’s the incredibly cheesy Flintstone’s-themed RV park to look forward to.

Once you arrive at the Canyon, it doesn’t matter how you got there. You will be in awe. My husband had never been to the Canyon, even though he moved here when he was 8. He said he didn’t think it would be that great. Of course, now that he has gone, he understands. It looks like a painting; it is so hard for our brains to comprehend something that big.

If you can get a reservation, you need to stay at the El Tovar Hotel on the South Rim. Of course, I booked our rooms over a year ago! You can hike around the Hotel and eat dinner. Or, just sit on the grand porch.

Our next trip will explore more of the Canyon and head off north to Page and Monument Valley. I’ll then leave off at Four Corners for the Colorado contingent. I didn’t have any food for today, so I’ll leave you with Indian Fry Bread…

I like it with honey.

 

[swwake]

Oh my goodness! The view from that porch is gorgeous!!! I want to go there.

Did I miss something on the Indian Fry Bread?

 

[DSNY4ever]

Yes that view is amazing! I got to go to the Grand Canyon once as a kid and it was so beautiful, someday I hope to go back- and now I want to stay at the La Posada too, that looks wonderful!

 

[Mrs. Fleagle]

Oh friends.....I am so far behind!

I don't think I'll ever get caught up....forgive me. I've been skimming and the one thing I'm sure of is that this world is both beautiful and amazing. And....you all are some amazing people too! I miss you all....I'll try to do better!

Mrs. Fleagle

 

[Calliaz]

I am not sure what happens next! Disneyfalcon is next on the list, but I think there are others who might need the bus to turn around. Should I PM Disneyfalcon to see if we're going to Colorado next?

I need guidance.

I should be posting my final installment in the next hour or so.

 

[Calliaz]

Did I miss something on the Indian Fry Bread?

I just posted it to help keep us all fed. I hadn't provided us with any dining opportunites for a while.