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SouthWest Road Trip
  • TravelwithClass.ns
  • Cheri and Tom Rice
  • Dennis Classen
September 2019

SouthWest Road Trip

By the time we get to Phoenix, friends Tom & Cheri Rice will be rising. Then we're off to get our kicks on Route 66 via the Grand Canyon, see the fine sights in Winslow,AZ, gallop to Gallup, and follow the Santa Fe Trail to meet up with Kira. Read more
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  • Trip start
    September 7, 2019
    SouthWest Road Trip
    Our accommodations at the Rice abode in Sun City.
    1Cheri and Tom planted a cactus garden in the backyard.

    By the Time We Get to Phoenix...

    September 7, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 63 °F

    It's a busy morning at PDX, but check-in was smooth and we're ready to join Tom and Cheri in Sun City! It's cool and cloudy in Portland, but Tom reports that it was 110 in the house yesterday when they arrived. Hope the AC is working!Read more

  • SouthWest Road Trip
    A couple of Dudes at Frontier Village in Cave Creek
    1The view from the Arizona room at the Rices.A bad picture of the peach faced lovebirds.Tom and Dennis enjoying the Range Rover.Dinner at Tommy Bahama

    I'd Rather be a Cowboy

    September 8, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 90 °F

    We spent a relaxing morning eating yummy breakfast sandwiches Cheri made and watching the birds and bunnies in the yard. The Rice's Sun City home has a beautiful view of the golf course lake and fountain. It was interesting to see the birds that differ from ours at home in Oregon: Peach-faced Love Birds, Gambel's Quail (I think), Grackles, and Arizona Woodpecker. There were lots of Canada Geese enjoying the lake as well. Of course, in the southwest, there are other uninvited houseguests, including tiny lizards and a cucaracha in our shower!
    In the afternoon, we took a Sunday drive to Cave Creek. As the tourist season hasn't really started yet, some of the shops were closed, but we had fun exploring the kitsch in Frontier Village. We returned via Scottsdale, passing by some very upscale malls and car dealerships including Lamborghini, Ferrari, Mazerati, and Alfa Romeo. Dinner at Tommy Bahama was excellent.    Read more

  • SouthWest Road Trip
    Our road trip begins.
    Shadows on the rocks.Streetside cactiPrickly pear margaritaThere are many cool sculptures in SedonaView from our roomOur southwest theme roomA dancing sculpture

    Life is a Highway

    September 9, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 79 °F

    We altered our planned itinerary and decided to head north on Monday instead of Tuesday. We dropped off the Range Rover and picked up a minivan: not as fancy, but much roomier. Launching Myj's curated playlist, we headed for Sedona. As we left the Phoenix area, there were many Suguaro cacti in the hills along the highway. It was fun to check out all of the unique configurations of the arms, giving each cactus a personality!
    As the elevation changed, we left the sandy desert behind and began to see more of the red rock. Sedona is surrounded by spectacular red rock formations.
    It's much cooler here than Phoenix. We strolled through uptown Sedona, checking out a few of the shops. Naturally, we had to buy some crystals. It took awhile to select just the right ones from a huge variety at one of several crystal shops. Each type of crystal is purported to have unique powers. We enjoyed drinks and dinner at the Cowboy Cafe watching the shadows change on the rocks as the sun went down.    Read more

  • SouthWest Road Trip
    View of Sedona from the Chapel of the Holy CrossFaces in the cliffsDelicate blooms amidst the cactus.Chapel of the Holy CrossWilliams, AZLunch stopTom eating lunch with an old grump.Kitschy signs in "downtown " Williams.

    Getting Our Kicks on Route 66

    September 10, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F

    After dodging a few random early morning thundershowers on our way to breakfast at Creekside Grill (chilaquiles- yum!), we visited the Chapel of the Holy Cross. The chapel is built into the cliffs of Sedona, with beautiful panoramic views of the canyon.
    Leaving Sedona, we drove through narrow Oak Creek Canyon and on toward our destination for the day, the Grand Canyon . We stopped in Williams at the Cruizers. Route 66 diner for lunch. The historic 66 route through Williams must have been the inspiration for Disney's Cars movie. There are lots of old buildings, neon signs and fun souvenir shops.    Read more

  • SouthWest Road Trip
    We had to stand on the corner, of course.
    We stayed in the Bob Hope room. Not sure he stayed in this room, but he did stay at the hotel.Our pretty room.Dennis had to check out the drawers.I could picture glamorous stars from the 30s and 40s on these stairsLots of art all over the hotel.We had a wonderful dinner in The Turquoise RoomLs Posada has 8 acres of gardens.

    Such a Fine Sight to See

    September 11, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F

    We left the Grand Canyon mid-afternoon to continue on, destination Winslow, AZ. Many recognize Winslow from the Eagles song "Take it Easy." We stayed at the La Posada Hotel, which some consider Mary Colter's masterpiece design. The La Posada was on the Santa Fe railroad line, and many famous people stayed there. As many as 90 trains a day pass by: Dennis enjoyed sitting in the garden on the evening watching the freight trains. Sadly, the hotel was almost destroyed when the railroad company no longer found it useful, but was saved by an entrepreneur and his artist wife. They have been restoring it to its former glory. The hotel is beautiful, modeled on Spanish Hacienda.Read more

  • SouthWest Road Trip

    Grand Canyon Suite

    September 11, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 75 °F

    We arrived at our hotel in Tusayan, AZ mid afternoon Tuesday. After checking in, we drove into Grand Canyon National Park, left the car in a lot and took the shuttle to Hermit's Rest. The rustic cabin at Hermit's Rest was the first of several Mary Colter designed buildings we visited on our trip.
    The shuttle runs along the rim, so we had an outstanding view of the canyon. Myj had visited as a child, but this was Dennis' and the Rice's first visit. Photos barely capture the beauty and massive scale of the canyon. We got off the shuttle bus at Powell Point and made the short hike to Hopi Point. Myj and Tom were able to keep their acrophobia in check. A lot of people had gathered at Hopi Point to watch the sunset, but the crowd was amazingly quiet. It really was an incredible experience to watch the sunset here.
    The next morning, we returned to the Park. We explored the Bright Angel Lodge, the Lookout, Hopi House and El Tovar Hotel. All of these buildings were designed by Mary Colter; each is unique. She incorporated local materials and Native designs and architectural features in each. Lunch was in the formal dining room at El Tovar and it was delicious.
    We took the shuttle to Kaibob Point to see more of the rim views, checked out the exhibits at the visitor center, then it was time to continue on our journey.    Read more

  • SouthWest Road Trip
    A Kiva, disguised as a regular dwelling, as the Spanish Conquistadors who ruled for a time forbade traditional
    The views from atop the Sky City Mesa, 367 feet above the desert floor.A traditional oven for baking bread.We passed this cowboy hauling his dogs and horse and had to slow down do we could get another look.

    Old New Mexico

    September 12, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F

    From Winslow, we galloped to Gallup, NM for a quick lunch stop. Our goal was to reach the Acoma Sky City on our way to Sants Fe. We made it in time for the last tour of the day. Acoma pueblo is the oldest continuously inhabited community in North America. Native Americans have lived in Sky City since 1150 AD. We were able to tour the ancient Pueblo dwellings stop the Mesa, the mission church, and talk with Native artists who carry on traditional pottery making. Myj and Cheri made a few purchases.
    We stopped for gas and dinner in Albuquerque, then drove on in the dark to Santa Fe. The major driving part of our road trip is at an end. We've covered over 700 miles. Now we will settle in and explore Santa Fe for a few days.    Read more

  • SouthWest Road Trip

    On the Santa Fe Trail

    September 14, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F

    Because it was late afternoon when we left Acoma, we opted to stop in Albuquerque for dinner. So it was almost 9 pm when we arrived at our hotel in Santa Fe. The Old Santa Fe Inn is so close to everything we wanted to see, we just parked the car and walked everywhere.Read more

    Trip end
    September 15, 2019
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