Flagstaff - WEEK 1

(August 20^th – August 26^th)

We got somewhat settled into oversized townhouse on the outskirts of Flagstaff. The town is divided by highway and railroad. We reside on the south side (minority of town), while downtown and hospital are on the north side. It makes it quiet and peaceful, where we live. The house is fully furnished, so we got into different situation then before. On Sunday, we stopped by visitor’s center and drove by hospital, just to know where we are.

J. had her hospital orientation every day of the week. This limited our exploration and trips around, so we just kind of settled, get our stuff unpacked (some of it, some stays in the garage) and did some shopping. One day we took a walk by the golf course (we are really close to it).

Well, it looks like this will work for us. The town is smaller, but has all we need and all the surroundings seem be really great. The house is nice (too big, but better then too small) and hopefully J.’s  job will be good too.

On Saturday, we planned trip to Walnut Canyon and a bit of driving around. I found small road that was going to the Canyon. Drove around and thru the golf course and enjoyed really nice weather. Ranches, farm land and forest and dirt road. We drove for couple miles to end up on the intersection, our road changed to stones and mud. So, we changed our minds and drove back to take the highway. Meanwhile, we saw a bit more of this part of Flagstaff.

And then we were getting on the highway (I-40). Signs pointing to two very different cities and reminding us, that we moved a long way. (knock, knock, knock on the wood) So far it is good. And again (like in Washington state) the highways are pretty nice.

Less then 5 miles on the highway and another 5 miles on road going to the canyon. Nothing else in that area. Really different landscape. Parking lot, visitors center and flat land with scattered trees (pines) patches of grass and some flowers. Hot sun.

We got really useful information from the ranger. As many times before and on every brochure, we were told to take a lot of water and take it easy. The visitor center is build on the edge of canyon and offers incredible view.

There are two trails (both less then a mile). One goes into canyon to see canyon’s dwellings. It is supposed to be around 280 steps. The view and structure of canyon was incredible. It is hard to describe or capture on the photograph. And after almost a week, I saw first cactus (small, but better then nothing).

The sun was getting pretty hot, but the walk (or I guess you can call it hike) was pretty pleasant. The views were amazing and unbelievable. Deep canyon and pretty steep walls climbing up, rocks were decorated with some bushes and trees. Some cliffs then had ruins of dwellings. As the trail was made, there was a lot of ruins along it.

We saw some birds flying high in the sky and bunch of lizards running on the path. It was hot and we were sweating some. And then walk all the stairs up. I still think it was not as bad as they were making it, but who knows. We walked thru the visitor’s center, bought some postcards, enjoyed cool air and then walked the other trail. That trail was along the top of the canyon (flat) and was not so interesting. There were some great views of whole canyon and then some flowers and trees along the trail. And … ruins of pueblo.

Drive back to the highway. As it was not far, we took old route 66 to Flagstaff. There was some funny looking hill and it looked like query or mining operation. Who knows.

We stopped by visitor’s center in Flagstaff (as well Amtrak station) and picked up all the leaflets and brochures we could. (Better for planning our trips and sights.) The town was pretty busy and traffic was unpleasant for a moment. We drove thru the town and head towards Lake Mary. I still cannot believe, how the surroundings is so nice. I thought Arizona would be mostly desert. Live and learn. Nice drive, lower Lake Mary was completely dry. Upper Lake Mary was muddy looking lake with some boats on it. We took short walk around and then head back.

Overall, it was really nice day. Just confirming, that Flagstaff might be good place to spend next three months.