Santa Fe to Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon

HOT, HOT, and more HOT! The drive from Santa Fe to Flagstaff took place partially in the Petrified Forest National Park. Totally a great place to see logs that have turned into rock. Simply amazing. I was able to walk a bit, but even the 3/4 mile loop had me feeling breathless.

I was exhausted when I arrived at the Grand Canyon Hostel in Flagstaff, but relieved to know I would be there for a couple of nights. After relaxing for a bit and letting the temperature drop, I took a walk around the city. Great downtown and walking distance to REI, Wholefoods and a variety of restaurants and bars. I could have done without the panhandlers, but what are you going to do.

Talked with one of the local vandwellers. Nice guy who works
at the local pizza parlor and lives in the parking lot.

Rode my bike on the greenway along Route 66

My initial thought was just to hang out in downtown, but then over a glass of wine and a slice of pizza some of the other lodgers at the hostel said that I should check out Sliding Rock and Sedona. The drive down 89-A past the construction was amazing with cliff views and winding roads. Sedona is a nice scenic town, but for me Sliding Rock was the highlight of the day.

View from the bridge

Weeeeeeeeee

I left Flagstaff at 7:15 am on Friday to head to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. The drive took me through the Coconino National Forest, where I could see a glimpse of snow capped Humphreys Peak. 

After figuring out where to park I took a short walk along a paved path among small evergreens, then BOOM! there it was right in front of me the Grand Canyon. Truly amazing. I wish I was a better more poetic writer. Oh well at least a picture is worth a thousand words.

I thought was going the wrong way.

Nope

That is a great big smile on my face.

After this photo, I took a mile and a half walk along the Rim trail towards the Bright Angel Trail. I walked down the steep trail amazed at the views. I new I wanted to see more of the park so I headed back up after an hour. It of course took twice as long to get back up. Luckily I hopped on the shuttle back to my car. To drive out to the East end of the park. Along the drive I almost rammed into the back of a parked car. Idiot didn't pull over to take a photo of the elk, but I did.

Then it was on to the Watchtower with at least 6 more scenic vista stops along the way. After the tower it was on to Kanab.