We took Arizona highway 87 (“the Beeline”) up north because we thought it would be more scenic than Interstate 17 and have less traffic (we were right on both counts). We were worried that the Sunflower wildfire would delay us as we approached Payson, but it was actually well off the road. It has burned something like 5,000 acres and is only 5% contained.
We stopped briefly in the town of Pine to buy some delicious local honey from a roadside stand. While we were parked, we noticed this mule-drawn wagon coming down the road. I could hear the driver calling out encouragement to the mule team as they approached us.
We were totally humbled by it. Here we were, all proud of ourselves for embarking on this epic Alaskan road trip in a small van, while these folks are doing a trip from Kentucky to California in a 100-year-old covered wagon. They started in May of 2010. Two years! (So far!) They have a website, too. We totally understand if you guys want to bail on Saltscape and follow them instead.
After lunch we made a point to stop in Winslow, where Kevin humored me and stood on a corner. He’d better not have seven women on his mind!
From Winslow, it wasn’t much further to Meteor Crater. It’s funny because lots of cynics call the Grand Canyon a big hole in the ground. And it’s not – it’s more of a ditch, really. (A very pretty one, though). But Meteor Crater is literally a huge hole in the ground – 4000 feet across and 700 feet deep. About 50,000 years ago a meteor about 150 feet across hit the Earth going 26,000 mph, creating the massive crater. It’s definitely something to see if you are at all into astronomy and space related stuff.
We were a little disappointed that you can’t hike down into the crater; you can only view it from a multi-tiered observation deck at the rim. The Apollo astronauts trained here before venturing to the Moon, and NASA will use the crater as a training site again if we ever decide to head to Mars. So if we were astronauts maybe we could’ve gotten permission to go down there. Instead we had to content ourselves with viewing it from above and schlepping through the museum.
We are now plugged in at a nearby RV park with the AC cranked – can’t wait to get up north!
Sounds like a great Day One - what a wonderful way to start your new adventure! (You chose a good time to get out of Phoenix. It was blazing hot today.) - Jamie
ReplyDeleteIt was warm here, too, but super windy so that kept it cool. Although detangling my hair wasn't easy at the end of the day. Dreadlocks may be a good look for me.
DeleteToo funny about the folks in covered wagon, I won't ditch you guys but may look them up! Love this post, making me excited to get back home and see all the awesome stuff in AZ
ReplyDeleteDid you stop by White Oaks Glen and Portal 3 while you were in Pine? We spent lots of wonderful summers at our homes there.
ReplyDeleteDid not stop, but saw Portal 4 off the side of the road. We went through Portal 3 and White Oaks Glen a few years back on our last trip up to Pine and Kevin showed me the cabins.
DeleteJackson Brown should be honored by the Winslow tribute :)
ReplyDeleteWe always thought you two were a couple of whimps...mini-van vs covered wagon? Hands down, you're traveling in luxury! Linda and Steve
We are huge fans of my uncle's Eagles tribute band ("Take It To the Limit"), so getting out of the van and standing on a corner in Winslow was obligatory. :)
DeleteI'm so excited to follow your trip and learn all the great places to visit! Joel and I decided long ago to do something similar when the kids were old enough (the perfect age: teenage years when they can't stand to be with each other let alone spend so much time with their parents in a cramped van driving and doing "touristy things" LOL), not quite to Alaska but up to Yellowstone Park. I will definitely be taking notes! Have a great adventure!!!
ReplyDeleteWe've seen tons of families out on the road with kids of all ages in rental RV's. Sounds like it would be a fun family trip, Kim.
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