Standing on a Corner !!

The San Francisco Peaks can be seen from our motel and I found some information on them.

 NUVAT-KYAN-BY, the original Hopi name for the San Francisco Peaks, translated means “High Places of the Snows”.  These mountains are the original homes of the Kachinas, supernatural beings who dwell on the peaks and come down during the growing season to visit the Hopi Villages.  The peaks were renamed more than three centuries ago by the Oraibi Franciscans in honour of their patron saint, St Francis of Assisi.

Of the four peaks, Humphrey’s Peak is the highest, being names for railroad surveyor and  Army engineer, Andrew Atkinson Humphrey (1810 – 1883).  Its elevation is 12,643 feet.  Second is Agassiz Peak, at 12 340 feet, named for Jean L R Agassiz (1817 – 1873), a French geologist and zoologist.  Fremont’s Peak, at 11,940 feet, is named for John C Freemont (1813 – 1890), Governor of Arizona Territory from 1878 to 1882.  Doyle Peak, at 9 000 feet, is named for a cattleman, Allen Doyle (1850 – 1920).

The San Francisco Peaks are remnants of an ancient volcano that reached 15 000 feet during its greatest activity.  Erosion has cut the range to its present size and shape.

New geological studies who that the glaciations of the peaks was more extensive and more active over the last one million years than first supposed.  Seven distinct stages of glaciations have been found; the earliest dates back to about one million years ago, and the latest occurred within the last 1000 years.  The earliest glacier, believed to represent the so

-called Illinoisan glaciations, third of the four major ice sheets that swept down into the United States during the Ice Age, was the most extensive.

Near the foot of the mountain, Ponderosa Pine grows abundantly.  Nest is the Canadian Zone of Douglas, White Fir and Quaking Aspen.  At the top of the tree line is the Hudsonian Zone where Bristlecone Pine and Englemann Spruce can be found.  Above the timerline are lichens, mosses and alpine tundra clinging to rocks amid the Arctic-Alpine Zone. 

The Arizona Snow Bowl  Ski Area is located on Mt Agassiz and many ski enthusiasts visit here during the winter.

We got up early this morning and the temperature was certainly a lot lower than we have experienced previously – 46 degrees F (about 15 degrees C).  We headed up to the reception area where we had a quick breakfast and then went on our way.

We went through the Red Rock Canyon near Sonoda – again what an awesome sight!!

We then we headed on to Sedona which was a really lovely place.  Quite a number of movie stars have their second homes here.  We wondered around for a while and then went on our way. 

We drove through Cottonwoods up the mountain to a village called Jerome which used to be a copper mining town in the early 1920’s.  Bought some really yummy fudge and then headed back on our way to Holbrook.

 Drove back to Flagstaff and had lunch at a Denny’s Diner – I had a chicken salad, Dereck had crumbed steak and eggs, Doug had a sandwich and Sue had chicken.

We then headed off to the Meteor Crater.  Jeepers, this was certainly a sight to see.  Cannot believe how big it was and there is a piece of rock that juts out, which is actually the size of a house – see picture below.  There was also a museum there which was very interesting.

We then carried on along part of Route 66 and part of the Interstate until we reached Winslow. This is the town which made the Eagles’ song “Take it Easy” famous and there is a corner with a statue and a picture of a girl in a window in a pick up truck painted on the wall (“… Well I’m standing on a corner in Winslow Arizona, and such a fine sight to see, it’s a girl my Lord, in a flat bed Ford slowin’ down to take a look at me ….”). 

While looking at this corner I happened to look at the opposite corner and in a window above the shop I saw the following sign “route 66 scrapbooking supplies” – I was in that shop like a shot – I didn’t even look at the souvenir shop!!!!  They had a lovely, but limited selection of scrapping goodies and I certainly had a great time selecting making my purchase.

We then carried on to Holbrook where we are staying at the Wigwam Motel and yes, sleeping in wigwams. They are so cute, yet really spacious.  After unpacking we went for a drive around the town and found a place called “Joe and Aggies Cafe” which serves Mexican and American food. The receptionist at our hotel had recommended this as a great place to eat.  Something we had a good laugh about was the fact that on the placemat, was an advert for a funeral parlour. Doug had something with red chile which was rather hot, Sue had a steak sandwich, Dereck had a burrito with mince and I had a chicken chimi, all of which were very yummy!  (pictures taken) We then headed back to our hotel for an early night as we are leaving early tomorrow in order to get to Sante Fe.

Taking it easy signing off ….