Going to the the South Rim Grand Canyon

When going to the South Rim at Grand Canyon I travel through quaint towns, over mountains and past farmlands and forests along the way.

Flagstaff for one night, I hope

The original vacation plan, which went entirely astray, included several nights in Flagstaff. However, a cold front is rapidly approaching with snow...

MWT – Fire on the Mountain

After one fire started by a careless camper near Flagstaff Arizona was 31% contained at 280 acres on Saturday another fire Sunday morning, Schultz Fire, also presumably started by an abandoned campfire has now burned almost 10000 acres and caused the evacuation of at least 1000 homes. Highway 89 east and north of Flagstaff is closed and traffic is being routed through Grand Canyon National Park’s South Rim.

The smoke is visible from the North Rim.

When camping in National Forests anywhere, but especially in the Southwest where there’s been a drought for over a decade, PLEASE be Extremely careful with fire. If you have to build a campfire it doesn’t have to burn six feet tall and needs to be put DEAD out!

Please pray for all the firefighters and people involved.

To see more of what’s going on in the world go to My World Tuesday by clicking here.

On the road to Flagstaff

I did washed the window later, honestly
I left the house just after 10am, but then stopped to say goodbye to Mike’s parents and finally left town about 11am. After a fuel stop in Peeples Valley I detoured Prescott and hit Highway 89 North just before noon. It was warm when I left Yarnell and continued to feel perfectly comfortable with my window down as the miles disappeared under the tires.
But the bugs were thick, sorry about the blotches
Yet there’s still snow on the San Francisco Peaks and even a few patches along the passes.
In fact the person that checked me in at KOA said it might freeze tonight so I didn’t bother to hook up the water hose.

Unfortunately, one of the fellow Rangers I’m suppose to hike to Havasu Falls with is having car troubles in New Mexico. Doesn’t look like he’s going to make the hike. Still planning to connect with another Ranger and go for it. Photos soon.

Flagstaff Buys

Sterling silver jewelry
Berta and I spent a bit of time shopping in Flagstaff. At an antique store I found some nice deals plus...(read more here).

Fun in Flagstaff

Abert Squirrel (cousin to Kaibab) out the camper window
It was an interesting and mostly fun three plus days. Yes, I had to spend an extra night in Flagstaff due to the broken vent incident at the tire store. Flagstaff RV slipped me between customers and did a fine job replacing the roof vent. However, the glue that seals everything has to set for eight hours and not get wet. I was told that late yesterday afternoon as it started to rain. The vent is covered with plastic and I’m back at the KOA in the same site Berta and I stayed in for the two previous nights.

Berta at Salsa Brava
Our first night in town we went to Salsa Brava for dinner at the recommendation of a KOA employee. Very good. They have a salsa bar with at least six kinds of salsa from mild to increasingly hot. Can’t remember what the special was called, three small soft corn tortillas with marinated pork, tomatoes, avocado and an awesome white sauce.

Old Town San Francisco Street Flagstaff
Got a little shopping in Wednesday afternoon.

Howard Johnson’s Railway Restaurant along old Route 66
Thursday morning we had to drop the truck/camper off at 8am. The parts weren’t in yet. So afterwards breakfast we went shopping.

Where I bought some cool sterling silver jewelry that I’ll show you later.

At noon I was told the job would be done by 2pm and we were there. But, the glue on the vent had to set for 8 hours and not get wet. Great, it was raining. They covered the vent with plastic and I returned to the KOA. Berta had to head home.

KOA camp
I miss a day of work today, but caught up on blog reading last night. This morning I’m going back to the Flagstaff RV to have them remove the plastic, I have no tall ladder with me and don’t feel like crawling up on the hood. Then grocery stock up and hit the road back to the canyon.

Flagstaff Finale

Taken Wednesday night just before sunset.

Compared to this taken earlier with smoke from a prescribed burn.

For more glimpses of skies from around the world or to share your own go to Sky Watch Friday by clicking here.

Feeling Squirrely

Spermophilus variegates
This Rock Squirrel, not even a foot from the well traveled Bright Angel Point Trail, was so engrossed with the new growth on the White Fir, yet many visitors passed it by unnoticed. The largest of any Grand Canyon ground squirrels commonly found on the South and North Rims, and also the most enterprising of beggars more so on the South.

My squirrelyness is taking off to Flagstaff for my three days off and meeting my dear friend Berta so we can explore the town and surrounding area while being squirrely.