Half way home

Last night on the North Rim it hailed. This morning started out with rain then cleared as we hooked the 5th-wheel to the truck. By 9:30 we pulled out of our home space of the last six months and made it to Jacob Lake for breakfast an hour later. It felt very weird for me to follow the RV, although I know it was in very capable hands.

The fall leaves are almost gone and it felt like winter creeping upon the land.

We saw some partly sunny skies for a while past the Vermilion Cliffs.

Then we headed south across the Painted Desert towards the San Francisco Peaks.

I thought we would drive into a devastating storm.

But it didn’t rain too heavy and we made into the Flagstaff KOA a little after 3pm. Sure is noisy here. I’m really not used to city traffic.

Tomorrow I’m going to the South Rim with Ranger Jessica to hear a lecture by renowned Grand Canyon archaeologist Dr. Douglas Schwartz. Just can’t get enough of this place and will be very different looking at the North Rim instead of being there. Saturday we head the rest of the way home.

Headed to Yarnell

Off the plateau on Highway 89A east

By the time you read this I’ll be on the road to my winter home.

House Rock Valley and Vermilion Cliffs on Highway 89A east

It’s a seven hour drive through some extremely pretty country.

Echo Cliffs behind Marble Canyon

With three days off I’m going to see my Sweetie plus load the slide-in camper on the truck for future camping fun.

Painted Desert along Highway 89 south

Hope to go thrift storing with Berta on Thursday while Mike’s at work. 

Forest fire on San Francisco Peaks

And just maybe, when I have to leave on Friday, Mike will follow me back to the North Rim for the holiday weekend.

Bradshaw Mountains from Iron Springs Road

Sure wish I had a tow bar.

Weaver Mountains

MWT - Road trip photos Highway 89 Arizona

Fall Aspen and Douglas Fir in Kaibab National Forest
I left the North Rim at 3:15pm. Along the meadows Aspen showed their finest gold to orange colors, sometimes like a fence or mixed into the towering evergreens.

Vermilion Cliffs
As I droped about 3000 feet off the Kaibab Plateau to House Rock Valley the temperature increased from fall back to summer.

Vermilion Cliffs
Back in the 1870s John Wesley Powell named this magnificent 3000 foot escarpment appropriately.

After crossing the Colorado River the highway turns south and parallels Echo Cliffs. The moon was up as the sun went down...

...enhancing the colors of the Painted Desert.

And the sunset was spectacular.

Sunset over Humphreys Peak
Unfortunately I didn’t make it to Flagstaff until after dark.

That is the moon
All photos were taken while I was driving. Some come out better than others. The road is smooth yet full of dips.

Made it to the KOA RV Park where I’ve camped several times before. Always get good WIFI. Tomorrow I drive the rest of the way to Yarnell.

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(In)famous Yarnell Hill

Map of Highway 89
Yarnell Hill changes 2500 feet in elevation over four miles along the side of Table Top Mountain.  An overlook about a mile from the top offers views of...

What the...

...did I find in the desert?

Maybe this will help.

80-100+ year old Saguaros in front of Joshua-tree
The Saguaro, pronounced sah-wah’-ro, is the state flower of Arizona (sorry it’s not in bloom, yet) and is protected by law. It grows up to 50 feet tall, but very slowly, and the oldest plants could be 150-200 years old.

Joshua-tree, the largest of the yuccas at 15-30 feet tall, is iconic to the national park bearing its name in southern California. It also grows in abundance in Joshua Forest Parkway in western Arizona, not far from where I live. Mormon pioneers during the late 1800s named this species Joshua because its shape mimics a person with uplifted arms gesturing wildly as if to pray.

Here’s another interesting discovery.

Ocotillo, pronounced o-ko-tee’-yo, grows multi-stems up to 30 feet tall. Leaves appear only after rain then withers as the soil dries. The tip of each stem displays a vibrant red cluster of flowers. This cycle repeats several times during the year.

OK, now you know we’re in the desert, so steer clear of these.

Prickly Pear Cactus is one of the most common cacti found in the desert.

Highway 89 winds 2500 feet up Table Top Mountain in four miles
Note the prickly pear cactus in center foreground
I live at the top of this Yarnell Hill

I’ve admired this particular cluster of Saguaro many times on the drive to Wickenburg on Highway 89 at the bottom of the Yarnell Hill. Yesterday I finally stopped to take pictures. The close up idea was inspired by Joan at SAP