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EXTRAORDINARY NORTHERN ARIZONA
...and the Grand Canyon
By Vern L.W. Howen
The sights and sounds of northern Arizona offer unparalleled opportunities to discover the miles of mesas, mountains and canyon-lands that begin at Phoenix, Arizona and end in a grand finale at the Grand Canyon. It was my privilege to join a group tour on a recent Sunday that began in Phoenix. I was met at the airport and taken to The Buttes Resort, a Wyndham Hotel near the airport with a remarkable location overlooking Phoenix and the Valley of the Sun.
At the hotel, our group of eight began to enjoy traveling together from the start. Our driver, Jeff, not only was an excellent driver, he has a world of knowledge about Arizona, which he shared with us along the way. Detours of Arizona, the company sponsoring the trip, offered single and multi-day tours throughout Arizona and the Southwest.
On Monday, our ride out of the Phoenix to Flagstaff, via Highway 17, was an interesting ride that took us past cactus to mesa to pine trees. Flagstaff is situated in the pines at an elevation of 7,000 feet, near the base of the San Francisco Peaks. Mount Humphreys is the highest and was snowcapped at a height of 12,643 feet. We stopped there because it was a beautiful photographic opportunity.
Flagstaff was founded in the late 1800's by pioneers going west and on July 4, 1876. In recognition of Independence Day, a flag was mounted on a tall pine tree trunk. The flagpole remained and was a landmark called the "flagstaff,' and later the town became known at Flagstaff. Soon afterward, the railroad arrived. Route 66 followed. This brought even more settlers. Now the town is a key destination for travelers that appreciate the natural wonders and year-round outdoor recreation the area offers.
Flagstaff has a small town charm and has many excellent restaurants, inns and a variety of historical and scientific attractions. We ate lunch at Charly's Grill an eatery that specializes in Southwestern food and offers homemade bread, soup and pies. After lunch, we visited the Arboretum, situated on 200 acres at a 7,150 feet elevation and there we enjoyed a tour of the wildflower plants, shrubs and trees of the high country.
Another must-see is at the Lowell Observatory, located near downtown Flagstaff. Here, we learned that in 1894 astronomer Percival Lowell founded the Lowell Observatory. Research still continues there today. It was interesting to see the original Lowell telescope, a 24-inch refractor built in 1896. This was the telescope was used to discovered Pluto in 1930. The Lowell Observatory is open daily for tours. Other nearby Flagstaff attractions includes, the Arizona Snowbowl, Museum of Northern Arizona, and the Pioneer Museum.
We checked in to a Flagstaff inn before dinner and enjoyed some rest before going out for dinner. Dinner was at the Kokopelli Winery Bistro, which was established in 1994 and offers light Italian dishes. The winery is now the largest in Arizona.
Before leaving Flagstaff for Page, Arizona, we visited the Museum of Northern Arizona, a visited a remarkable site. This outstanding museum is a must-see because it offers an understanding of the Colorado Plateau, including the Grand Canyon and the prehistoric natives of the region. From here, it is only a short 15-mile drive to Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument where you visitors examine the natural lava flow that dates back 900 years. Then you can drive a few minutes farther north to the Wapatki National Monument, once home to native farmers. An ancient brick and mortar pueblo makes for a great photo opportunity.
By this time, you will want head north to Cameron and stop for lunch at the historic Cameron Trading Post with its native art displays and authentic Navajo and American menu. After lunch, your drive to Page, Arizona is only about 75 miles and you will arrive just in time to check in to the Lake Powell Resort.
The resort is the only one on Lake Powell and many of its 350 rooms have lake views. Lake Powell, at 186 miles long with 1,960 miles of shoreline -- the longest in the west coast -- is the result of the construction of Glen Canyon Dam 43 years ago. In some places it drops more than 500 feet. The Lake Powell area is rich in Native American history, with some artifacts and sites that go back some 11,000 years. A part of America's largest Indian Nation, the Navajo, still live in a 134-mile village along the southern side of Lake Powell.
The best was to see Lake Powell is via a houseboat or powerboat. Also, exciting short float trips, and whitewater rafting trips of 3 to 14 days are offered and is another outstanding way to cruise the Colorado River. This way, you can see the Grand Canyon through challenging rapids. Stops along the way give visitors the chance to see ancient petroglyphs left behind by ancestral Puebloans almost 1,000 years ago.
For golfers, a must-see is the Lake Powell National Golf Course, located on a high mesa overlooking the Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Powell. Be sure to check out hole number 15 with its 140-foot drop and spectacular view.
Before leaving the Page and the Lake Powell area, be sure to take an escorted tour to Canyon X, which is about 16-miles from Page. It is another must-photo area of sculpted landscape and towering spires. Page has interesting shops and restaurants. Be sure to visit the Blair Trading Post where for native handicraft. If you enjoy Mexican food, the Fiesta Mexicana is recommended. Another recommendation is a stop at the John Wesley Powell Museum after whom the lake was named. The museum has an outstanding display of Powell's important Colorado River voyages in 1869 and 1871 together with Native American artifacts.
From Page, it is an easy morning drive back to Grand Canyon Village where you can look over the edge of the Grand Canyon in front of the famous 100-year-old El Tovar hotel. You will be impressed with the Canyon's grandeur and will be even more so if you take a Maverick Helicopter flight over the canyon, as we did.
Our tour included an historic 45-mile ride to Williams on the Grand Canyon Railway complete with wild west entertainment aboard the train. It departs the Grand Canyon station, located near the El Tovar hotel, at 3:30 p.m. and arrives in Williams at 5:45 p.m., just in time for our check-in at the Williams Holiday Inn.
Williams was first settled in 1874 and is listed in the National Register of Historic places. The town is also associated with the Highway 66. Cruiser's Café 66, restaurant on the highway is highly recommended. Be sure to pick up a historical walking tour brochure available from the nearby Visitors Center.
As we drove back to Phoenix, Arizona, everyone remarked on how interesting the tour was and were anxious to get home to develop photos. Be sure to promise yourself a trip to Northern Arizona and the Grand Canyon if you have not been to the area before.
For additional information contact:
The Buttes Resort at www.wyndham.com
Telephone: 800-WYNDHAM
Flagstaff Visitors Bureau at www.flagstaffarizona.org
Telephone: 800-217-2367
The Arboretum at Flagstaff at www.thearb.org
Telephone: 928-774-1442
Lowell Observatory at www.lowell.edu
Telephone: 928-774-3358
The Holiday Inn Flagstaff or www.Holiday-Inn.com
Telephone 800-533-2754
Flagstaff Visitors Bureau at www.flagstaffarizona.org
Telephone: 800-217-2367
Page Lake Powell Tourism, www.pagelakepowellchamber.org
Telephone: 888-261-7243
Williams-Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce
Telephone: 800-863-0546
Arizona Tourism at www.arizonaguide.com
Telephone: 602-364-3702
Detours of Arizona at www.DetoursAZ.com
Telephone: 866-438-6877
November 2005
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