This morning we head out 46 east through vineyard after vineyard, it is too early even for the two of us to start drinking the vino. It is hard to describe the countryside, golden hills that are more like mountains to me. We pass a coyote that is golden also, not like our darker colored ones back home. Hey shout out to John Broadnax, one of the vineyards we pass is called Terry Hogue wineries and yes it is named after and owned by the great bulldawg himself. The vineyards give way to farms of trees that hold pistachios, almonds, walnuts, [View Full Entry]

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We had a long way to drive and so made the effort to get out of bed before 9am. We were packed and on the road by 9.30 and heading east towards Arizona. After a few hours we crossed the border into Arizona and made it to Phoenix by mid afternoon. We stopped briefly for a coffee before pushing on the last 140 miles north to Flagstaff. This was to be our base camp for visiting the Grand Canyon. When we arrived, it was getting dark so we checked into a hotel, went to Subway for our classic dinner and relaxed [View Full Entry]

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As many of you know we are back in Flagstaff. My mother underwent open heart surgery and we have been here recovering her. She is doing fantastic and we hope to fly to Europe on Oct 20th. We had an amazing 2 months in the SanJaun, Gulf and Vancouver Islands. We sailed, sometimes motored, to over 17 different locations. For the most part the weather was good and things went smoothly. Just an occasional "near miss" of a potential disaster. The trickiest, most stressful part for me is docking the boat. It maneuvers like a drunken pig, (and it wasn't my [View Full Entry]

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Thrifty Travel Tip #6: If you can fit into a group of people that have open access to a public showering facility, 24 hour buildings, and free entertainment in the evening, say a college, you have a free place to stay... so do it. Thrifty Travel Tip #7: Stop in the welcome centers to new states and new cities. You can get free information about the cities and attractions as well as free maps. There are also drinking fountains to refill your water bottles and public restrooms that are usually fairly clean. Hey Ya'll, No sleep till LA. That's our newest [View Full Entry]

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Flagstaff, Sedona and Red Rock, Arizona 12th - 14th September 2008 We spent three nights in Flagstaff, needing some time to relax after the exhilaration of the Grand Canyon visit and also time to visit Sedona and Red Rock State Park (not to be confused with Red Rock, Nevada near Vegas). This whole region is part of the Coconoco Forest and is very scenic. Arizona is a truly beautiful state; it isn’t all desert , although there is plenty of that, and canyons too, recognisable due to their appearance in so many Hollywood westerns. It is real “Wild West’ country and [View Full Entry]

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I spent my summer working odd jobs in wooster, Ohio. the tedium eroded my sunny disposition. i couldnt bear to get lost in the undulating waves of past and present. i couldnt hold on to any train of thought. i had nothing to hold on to at all. so all it took was a whim to uproot me. i have moved to the island of Kauai. but first i wanted to spend a week with Vince Mariola in Arizona. This was not my first trip to the Grand Canyon. my first time was with my brother Zach just after graduating from [View Full Entry]

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When it snows in Flagstaff, everyone from Phoenix goes up the I17 and to the Snowbowl. The Snowbowl is a ski resort with some really nice walking trails. Its kind of pricey to stay - so stay at the standard Holiday Inn types. Not much to write about - just enjoy the snow!! [View Full Entry]

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After an eventful drive from New Mexico, we finally arrived in Flagstaff, AZ. This is where we were staying to be able to have access to the Grand Canyon (nicknamed: Granyon). Upon arrival we befriended the guy who worked at the front desk of the hostel. Befriended may be a strong word.. he was torn between liking our energy and hating the fact that we couldn't help but talk at least 3 at a time at any time. After deciding we weren't so horrible he instructed us to go to a bar down the street, the one they send the people [View Full Entry]

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Sun 4 - Mon 5 May Getting to the Grand Canyon was an adventure in itself. In San Diego we bought road maps of California, Arizona and Nevada and googled the best routes to take. By major freeways the journey would have taken us about 8-9 hours. But we found one guy’s description indicating a far more interesting route that took about the same time. Well, he got the interesting part right, but the journey all up took us 17 hours (dramas included) and we arrived at the Canyon a whole day late. So the first drama started when we went [View Full Entry]

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With our home base in Flagstaff, we set out to explore the many attractions in the immediate area. At the top of our list was Sedona. Situated at the southern edge of Oak Creek Canyon, about 20 miles from Flagstaff. The drive itself is very picturesque, the highlight being Slide Rock State Park where hundreds of people were picnicking, bathing or simply relaxing among the rocks and pools. Then Sedona itself, is a beautiful little town, very artsy with many craft shops and galleries. The red rock formations surrounding the town are a stunning backdrop and make it a hugely popular [View Full Entry]

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