PhoenIx and flagstaff

DETAILS
When — June 23rd - 27th 2O22
Where — Phoenix and Flagstaff, AZ
Mileage — 162 miles

Number of compliments on the motorcycle - 5 (all in downtown Flagstaff)

Hot in phoenix, Route 66 and the walnut canyon national monument

Recuperation: recovery from illness or exertion. I did not realize that I needed to recuperate. Physically, I am holding up well, but I found myself mentally exhausted. My time with my cousin Bob in Peoria (20 minutes outside Phoenix) was just what I needed. Good consistent sleep in one place, good food and drink, some crazy euchre games, and a lot of laughs. Melissa and Bob were wonderful hosts and I enjoyed spending time with their busy family. I also received a lot of love attention from their four boys - Kodah, Bodie, Stoogie, and Winston Henry. These four guys made me feel at home and treated me well. Bob and I had some great talks and spent time golfing and attending an Arizona Diamondbacks game. Thanks to Sandy Karpen for acting our performance during the 7th inning stretch open video!

I was able to wash the motorcycle and visit a box called CrossFit Incendia. The WOD was barbell intensive with some burpees for good measure. The barbell is my therapy.

I am refreshed and anxious to get the 5th leg of the trip under way.

Leg 5 will cover 880 miles and will be highlighted by a visit to the Grand Canyon, riding the Million Dollar Highway CO-550, and end with a 3 day visit to Colorado Springs for some sight seeing. First, I had to get out of a HOT Phoenix. 930am it was 96 degrees, but clear and sunny. I had 120 miles to Flagstaff and i was counting on its higher elevation to yield lower temperatures. It was 78 degrees when I rolled in Flagstaff in time for lunch. The pleasant weather fueled my search for Route 66.

I found the famous road near the Flagstaff Visitor Center . The iconic road has been replaced in Arizona with I-40. There are a number of sections of the original US-66 that break off from I-40 and Flagstaff has one of those sections. I road that portion of US-66 east and west. I saw a few hotels and a diner that I would hit at dinner. Then, I found a happy surprise. The Walnut Creek National Monument.

Walnut Canyon was proclaimed a national monument on November 30, 1915 by President Woodrow Wilson to preserve the ancient cliff dwellings. These dwellings were constructed and used nearly 900 years ago. The inhabitants left the remarkable cliff dwellings to become archeological ruins. Being declared a national monument allows the National Park Service to protect historical and cultural significance of the site.

The have two trails to visit the monument. I hiked the Rim trail that went into the canyon and along some of the cliff dwellings. It was outstanding. Now - I was going down and down the steps in the trail and then realized I had to go up! It turned out to be the workout of the day. What a hidden gem in Flagstaff!

I left the monument and rode Route 66 West back to town and ate at the Galaxy Diner. I had great weather, a good ride, and some fun site seeing.

Tomorrow is the Grand Canyon and I have already found a hay surprise! More on that tomorrow!