Flagstaff - 9-30-06

Sometimes you plan an excursion and you just get unbelievably lucky and everything not only meets your expectations but exceeds them. Our trip this Saturday up to Flagstaff was one of those trips.

The wife's mom and niece were in town visiting and we wanted to take a day trip somewhere to get out of the heat. It had been awhile since we'd been to Flagstaff, so we planned a trip up there. It's only a 2 hour drive. Getting out about 8:00 am, we first headed to Sunset Crater. This is a volcano that erupted about 900 years ago and many of the results of that eruption are still visible. Most notably the lava beds. We've been here before but the time before, we were rushed and didn't get to take the longer trails. The contrast between the barren fields of lava and the colorful trees and foliage of the Flagstaff area is absolutely stunning.

Here is a shot of the cinder cone of the volcano itself and a shot of Alex in the middle of one of the lava beds:


Here is the family (sans moi ... consider yourself lucky) descending some stairs into a lava bed. The second photo is of Michelle and Alex in a fumarole. This is a vent where gases escaped from the lava.


Further into the same National Park is the Wupatki National Monument. These are abandone ruins from approximately 800 years ago. Many local Indian tribes consider this sacred ground. Bordering on the lava beds to the south and descending into the land that becomes the Grand Canyon to the north, the ruins not only have a historical significance but they look beautiful against the backdrop of those surroundings.


Trekking to just the other side of Flagstaff, we arrived at Arizona Snowbowl in midafternoon. They keep it open year round for things other than skiing, such as hiking and events. But one of the best times to come is in the fall as the aspen trees' leaves are changing colors. Aspens have the distinct white bark and their leaves turn bright yellow, orange and red.

What I didn't know about the Snowbowl is that they ran their Scenic Skyride in the offseason. I only discovered that the night before when I was doing a little research and planning for our trip. The Skyride was an absolute blast and the kids loved it. It is a bit scary (even for adults) but well worth it. You climb from 9,500 feet to 11,500. I'm pretty sure that is is the highest point (not in an airplane) that I've ever been. The views from the tram and the top are breathtaking. And the temperature difference from where we'd started that day, Phoenix (about 100) to Sunset Crater (probably about 80) to the lodge (high 60's) to the top of the mountain (mid 50's) is drastic.



And the perfect day was capped off with a perfect meal at the Downtown Diner in Flagstaff, including homemade caramel apple pie. Yum.