Blogs from Winslow, Arizona, United States, North America

CANYON DIABLO In one of its many organizational iterations over its whole existence the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad began building westward from Isleta, New Mexico along the 35th Meridian of latitude. Construction on the Western Division began sometime around 1880 and proceeded in a more or less orderly manner until the track layers reached a little place in 1882 that came to be known as Canyon Diablo. It is about 20 miles northwest of Winslow, AZ. An important trestle needed to be placed across a deep gorge there. Italian stone masons were on hand to begin setting the foundations for the trestle. Prefabricated bridgeworks were also on hand, but the project engineer scratched his head and noted that the bridgeworks were too short to span the gorge. Work on the railroad ground to a halt for ... read more

Today just wasn’t aligned – El Morro keeps bankers hours and we are on camping time. Up at dawn and packed, ready for another day by 7. El Morro doesn’t open until 9. No, we don’t want to wait. Head on down the road, there’s a wolf sanctuary up ahead. We traverse 10 miles or so of dirt road and find the best and cleanest café ever for some breakfast and caffeine. The wolf sanctuary – it doesn’t open until 10. We wait and finally it opens, only we can’t go see the wolves without a guide and no guides until 11 (or so). We don’t want to wait, so we briefly visit the courtyard and catch a glimpse of the wolves. Really this is a sanctuary for wolf=dogs. Beautiful 4-legged creatures that idiot humans breed ... read more

So we are up relatively early about 8 am. Uncle Buddy was up earlier and ate breakfast at the hotel then visited with other guests. Hubby and I just had a snack at the gas station while filling up. Stopped at the Petrified Forest and Painted Desert NP - no cost as Uncle Buddy has a permanent NP card. We did the scenic drive which is not a loop you go in the east entry just a bit off 40 then out the west right at 40. Part of the old route 66 is still actually in the park. Painted Desert portion first - very scenic views and very pretty. My hubby got to try out our new camera. Then came the Petrified Forest - not what I was expecting at all - I mean I ... read more

Standing on the corner in Winslow Arizona - Such a fine site to see. It's a girl, my lord in a Dodge pickup with a Bullet trailer, slowin' down to take a look at me! TAKE IT EASY! Had to sing this song on the way to Meteor Crater campground we're we spent the night. On to the Grand Canyon today and off the grid for a few days. We've had head on winds so taking lots of stops at the gas station. Had a great night in Red Rock Canyon in OK where we enjoyed the birds singing and quiet time camping in the canyon. Stayed in Santa Rosa - great rib dinner at the campground restaurant. Putting on about 400 miles a day so not much time for too much, but do manage to ... read more

Recovery Day I planned on spending the night camped on Second Mesa, but with the weather (thunderstorms and loud noise), KC said “NO”. The closest location with lodging was Winslow, AZ. On the way here we went through the Petrified Forest/Painted Desert National Park. It is a small rather insignificant park, but it does protect the petrified wood. It was mid-day when we got here with the sun high in the sky and the light flat for photography. However there were enough clouds to create contrasting images and the petrified wood is ideal for abstracts. So the day was spent driving and looking. Since the crowds were small, KC got to roam free often. He chased ravens, rodents, and lizards never catching them which pleased both of us. He is doing better, but rumble bars/strips and ... read more