It’s hard to visit Arizona and not think about the Grand Canyon. It is the state’s most distinguishable landmark and millions of people visit each year for a chance to witness one of the world’s Natural Wonders. Truly awe-inspiring, it’s something everyone should see. And although we were eager to get there and finally check it off the bucket list, we sure are glad we didn’t get a case of tunnel vision and miss the journey on the way to our destination.
The Journey
Along US 89, whether you’re driving into or out of the Grand Canyon, is an endless sea of landscape with nothing but mesas in the distance and the distinct outlines of craters in the earth. It’s interesting to look at while driving through, but not something we thought many people would explore. I suppose the randomly placed craters dispersed across the land would cause most people to hesitate.
While driving along this same road, signs for Native American arts and crafts can be seen. We turned off at one of these signs onto a dirt driveway and then into a parking lot. This is where the arts and crafts were sold. At the far end of the parking lot was the beginning of a path that stretched across the crater-filled land we admired from the road. It was an invitation to explore this mysterious, and slightly eerie, terrain we couldn’t pass up, so we set out to get a closer look.
We followed the path until we spotted the cause of the unimposing outlines seen from the roadway.
As you can see, it’s much more impressive up close. It’s also a lot deeper than represented in the pictures. You do NOT want to lose your footing around here
And a little closer
We saw this little guy, with no one like him around, just off the path. It reminded us of “Vacancy: Everglades National Park.”
On our way out we stopped at the arts and crafts stall where we met a Navajo Indian and his reservation dog, Diesel. The two (yes, Diesel) were selling hand-made jewelry and various arts and crafts including dreamcatchers. Richey and Diesel played, and I bought the dreamcatcher pictured below for my daughter. As it was explained to me, a dreamcatcher protects the sleeping from negative dreams by capturing them in its web, while allowing positive dreams to flow through and down the feathers to the person below. The negative dreams caught in the web expire when the first rays of the sun strike them. The turtle on the webbing signifies long life and wisdom. Now, I’m not very superstitious, but when an Indian shares tradition with you, you accept it with gratitude.
Never disregard the journey on the way to your destination. You could miss out on some pretty cool sights, people and four-legged furry friends.
The Grand Canyon, Arizona
“Incomprehensible” is the word that comes to mind when trying to describe the Grand Canyon. It is majestic and intimidating all at the same time, and it offers some of the most breathtaking views you’ll ever see. The real discovery, however, is in how you feel while taking it all in. This is why it’s important to travel. It changes you… for the better.
The little red, white and blue figures atop the tower of rock are people. Makes one realize how small we really are, literally and figuratively.
Those same little people.
These guys were seen everywhere throughout the park.
And Richey wanted to play with all of them!
About 25 miles from the South Rim, which is where we started, is the “Desert View.” The Desert View has an entirely different atmosphere, including landscape, colors, and even the weather. Amazingly beautiful! It was, undoubtedly, our favorite part of the trip and we urge anyone planning a visit not to skip it!
Sedona, Arizona
Sedona’s Main Street district (also known as Uptown) is very walkable and has a variety of shops, restaurants, cafes and galleries to choose from. The color and architecture of the buildings mimic, and almost blend into, their surrounding backdrop of beautiful red rock. Main Street is the heart of the community and is located between Oak Creek Canyon and West Sedona. It’s very clean, natural and beautiful.
Speaking of Oak Creek Canyon… SR 89A will take you through the spectacular switchbacks of Oak Creek Canyon and right into the Main Street District. The drive through the switchbacks is nothing short of stunning! It’s widely known as one of the most scenic routes in the United States.
We didn’t get to stay as long as we would have liked, or visit any of the several National Monuments within just an hours drive, but Sedona would be a great “base camp” to see it all, including the Grand Canyon.
SR 89A coming into Sedona’s Main Street District
At the center of all the traffic is a gathering point where an eclectic group of entertainers show off their talents ranging from singing and guitar playing to snake handling.
Although there’s a good selection of eateries to choose from, we decided on a Horr House instead ; – ) We bought dark chocolate and caramel turtles, and fudge, and not a single bite survived the trip back to our tiny home – “How Our Tiny Home Got Its Name – “The Willy Wagon.” This little gem of a bakery really is “The Best Little Horr House In Sedona”!
Homolovi State Park, Arizona
Homolovi, or “Homol’ovi”, means “Place of the Little Hills.” The historic Native (Hopi) land is located in the high desert of Arizona and encompasses over 4,000 acres of sacred landscape including ancestral Hopi villages (the term “ruins” is no longer used, as the Hopi Tribe consider them spiritually alive), pottery and wildlife. The terrain is vast and mostly flat with endless desert views and some incredible rock formations. And there are plenty of trails that lead to the archeological sites. You really are out in the middle of nowhere while exploring this native land, so if solitude with a side of history intrigues you, this would be a great place to visit. We loved it.
After we set up camp we headed out to hike the area. This guy, and several others just like him, was gracious enough to share his home with us.
This is the perfect place to let your thoughts roam. If ever there were things in life I needed to work out, this is where I would start.
This is a reconstructed Pueblo representing what an ancestral pueblo would have looked like. What’s left of the ancestral pueblo is below this picture.
Ancestral Pueblo
Ancient Kiva. Its use is explained in the photo below it.
Ancient Pottery Shards
Sunset Cemetery
It’s always nice to get back to camp after a long hike. Saw a lot, learned a lot, good day!
Richey had a full day, too! He passed out within ten minutes of returning to camp. Now that he’s recovered from his surgeries, he’s finally able to live the life he deserves. We couldn’t be happier for him!
Winslow, Arizona
We have to admit, we were a little confused when our friend, Jack, suggested we meet up in Winslow, Arizona, so we could all stand on a corner. It seemed like a strange request, but what the heck! It didn’t really matter where we met up so long as we got to see our friend. If Jack wants to stand on a corner… we’ll stand there with him.
As it turns out, Jack’s not crazy! That little corner has some history behind it. Standin’ on the Corner Park is a public park in the heart of downtown Winslow, Arizona, commemorating the song, “Take It Easy”, recorded by the Eagles. That song helped put Winslow, Arizona on the map. You know it… “I’m a standing on a corner in Winslow, Arizona and such a fine sight to see. It’s a girl, my Lord, in a flatbed Ford slowin’ down to take a look at me…” Yeah… that’s the one.
Well, hundreds of thousands of tourists visit Winslow, Arizona, every year to celebrate the history of the legendary band, that song and the infamous Route 66 which passes through Winslow and directly in front of “The Corner.”
Corner of Winslow Arizona on Old Route 66
The next picture is of the world’s smallest church. We know this because no more than two people can fit inside at once and, well, there’s a sign right next to it that says it is.
We finished up in Winslow with lunch at a very tasty Mexican restaurant, Las Marias. It was a “Take it Easy” sort of day!
We had a great day in Winslow with Jack and his friend, Charline Profiri, who is now our friend, too! Charline is an award winning children’s author and was kind enough to hook us up with some of her books for the G-kids. Thank you, Charline! Her books are fabulous and it was really cool seeing them on display while perusing the shops in Winslow! If you have children, grandchildren, or friends with children, check her out at cprofiri.com. Such a lovely lady!
Through Charline we met Sara Profiri Herron. Yes, Sara is Charline’s daughter and as much a talent as her mother. Sara’s an interior designer (she can be found on Facebook at Herron Interior Design, Inc.) who we wish we knew before we sold our house and hit the road! She’s from Arizona and, I kid-you-not, knows every square inch of the state. Besides suggesting every fabulous restaurant we ate at, she also put together the itinerary for our visits to the Grand Canyon, Sedona, and the drive through the Switchbacks of Oak Creek Canyon. Without her expertise, we would have certainly missed out on a lot including the Desert View at the Grand Canyon, which just happened to be the most incredible thing we’ve ever seen. Thank you, Sara!
And Jack… if it weren’t for Jack we wouldn’t have been in Arizona at all, which means we wouldn’t have met Charline and Sara and we would have missed out on all the magic Arizona has to offer! Thank you, dear friend.
Thank you Arizona… we will be back!
Don’t forget to like and share! Until next time…
Where was Mickie, Richey’s friend?
She was there, we just didn’t get any pics with them together.