Posted by James Gross on Mon, Jul 12, 2010 @ 04:52 PM
There are three words that come to mind this time of year….July…Arizona…HOT! But don’t worry! Pack up the RV! Do I have a road trip planned for you!
I have been in Arizona since I have been ten years old and have had the opportunities to explore and experience the state that I call home and it is my pleasure to share some of the places I have seen with you. This month I am going to introduce you to what Arizonans affectionately refer to as “Old 89A” State Route 89A is the perfect route to take if you not only want to get out of the heat but get a true dose of Arizona history.
We are going to start our journey by heading North to Payson, AZ. From Apache Junction we are going to take the same route that I told you in my last blog. Take Ellsworth (which turns into Usery Pass) to the Bush Highway, turn right and follow the road to SR-87. Take a right on SR-87 going North. SR-87 will take through Payson, AZ where if you leave early enough for breakfast, there is a favorite spot of mine called the Knotty Pine Café. Order the biscuits and gravy, you won’t be sorry! After you’ve had breakfast, keep heading north on SR-87 up through Pine and Strawberry, AZ. These two little towns are absolutely perfect for a day trip and a way to get out of the Arizona summer heat. Most weekends, Pine will have fresh produce for sale at the farmers market or some trinkets to buy at the local art fair. As you keep heading north, Strawberry will be your next little town. I told where you can get the best breakfast in Payson, but I would be remiss if I did not mention the most surprising eatery in Strawberry called Mama Joe’s Italian Grill. I had the most amazing shrimp scampi there once! Italian not your thing? Just cross the street and go to the Sportsman Chalet for good old fashioned pub food. My husband and I have made the Sportsman a regular stop for years when we are riding the Harley. Keep on SR-87 until you come to AZ-260 (General Crook Trail). Turn left and follow AZ-260, turn left on S Main Street/AZ-260/SR-89 Alt (89A). Turn left again on E Cottonwood Street/SR-89A then just stay on SR-89A, head up the hill to Jerome. RV hook-ups and camping available in Clarkdale and Cottonwood.
If you love old towns, ghost stories and nice people then you are going to love Jerome!
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Now, I am sure everyone has heard of a “one way town”. In Jerome’s case, that is absolutely true! The Main street in Jerome goes just one way, on the up side, it is hard to get lost! You are going to want to take some time when you get there. Take a walk through town, better yet, take walk UP through the town! Jerome was built pretty much on a mountainside and is connected by many steps and walkways that will literally take you from Main Street straight up to most any street in the housing community above. You can actually sit on a front porch and see who is walking on Main Street! Due to the 1930s dynamite blasts from the copper mines and general shifting of the land, Jerome has been slowly sliding down hill for decades. In fact, when you are walking down Main St take a look at the old jail house that made its way down the hill! Check out the Grand Hotel while you’re there. The hotel used to be the old hospital and has quite a haunted history as does the rest of the town.
Once you have experienced Jerome, get back on SR-89A and keep heading up the hill. This beautiful, winding road will take you up through Oak Creek Canyon. On a hot Arizona summer day, the place to be is Slide Rock State Park. I remember when I was young getting in the ice cold water (that is a product of the melting snow from San Francisco Peaks near Flagstaff), and sliding down the rocks that have been smoothed by centuries of rushing water, hence the name Slide Rock. You will find picnic areas and campsites along the way. It is great fun for both young and old alike.
Next stop, Flagstaff, AZ! Keep going on SR-89A until you merge onto I-17N via the ramp on the LEFT toward SR-89A n / Flagstaff (it sounds more confusing than it really is, trust me!). Merge onto S Milton Rd which will become I-40 / W US-66.
I have spent many years exploring Arizona and am still finding new and exciting adventures! Like the Lava River Cave (also known as the Ice Cave). This mile long lava tube was formed by a huge lava bubble that pushed its way through the mountains around 700,000 years ago. You can actually see stone icicles hanging from the ceiling. This cave is for the true spelunker!
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There are no hand rails, lighted paths or guides to help you along the way. What there is is an experience much like it was when cave men walked the earth. It is believed that centuries ago this cave was used as some sort of refrigerator, keeping meat fresher longer. And later, settlers would retrieve ice from it to keep their foods and drinks cold.
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The degrees in the cave is in the upper 30s to low 40s Fahrenheit with ice present in some places year round. If you think this is something you might be interested in, be sure to bring plenty of portable lights with you (I highly recommend something like a miners helmet), warm clothing (no sandals or shorts) and a camera with a flash! Because you don’t want to miss what I have always called “the great room”. Once you get about 1/4 of the way through the cave, you will come to divided area. Take either path through this area and it opens up into the most amazing cavern! I think I read somewhere once that this “room” is about 30 feet high.
You can get to the cave from Flagstaff by driving 9 miles north of Flag on US 180 and turn west (left) on FR 245 (milepost 230). Continue 3 miles to FR171 and turn south 1 mile to where FR 171B turns left a short to Lava River Cave.
There are plenty of RV campgrounds and resorts for your convenience throughout the Flagstaff and surrounding areas, just contact the Flagstaff Visitors Center at 800-379-0065 or go online at www.flagstaffarizona.org
Well, I have taken you underground, how about going up in the air! The Scenic Skyride at Arizona Snowbowl is awesome! During the summer months the ski lifts run daily from 10am to 4pm starting Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend (if the weather permits). Plan to spend at least 2 hours. On Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and some holidays there is a park ranger that will be speaking about various flora, fauna and wildlife. The fees are reasonable at: Adults $12; Seniors (65-69) $8; Kids 8-12 $8 and Kids 7 or under Free. Save even more by going in a group! You contact the Skyride at 928-779-1951 ext 109 or www.skyride@arizonasnowbowl.com for more information.
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Don’t forget about the fishing in Flag! Lake Mary has some of the best pike fishing around! There is Marshall Lake near the Flagstaff area. For the bird watcher and hiker in you, there is Marshall Lake. Not far from Lake Mary Marshall Lake has an abundance of geese, duck and other assorted water fowl. For the expert fisherman that knows their way around duck blinds, the bass and trout fishing is just right!
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Whether in the air or underground, in the grass watching birds or on the water catching fish, Arizona is the place to be summer, winter, spring or fall!
We will be checking out Route 66 next month!! Enjoy the day everyone!
Connie Duff
Posted by James Gross on Tue, Apr 20, 2010 @ 03:52 PM
ARIZONA AND APRIL…THE PERFECT MATCH!
{Photos by Constance Duff}
Spring is here, the weather is just right and it’s time to explore Arizona! This installment is dedicated to those who ride motorcycles and those who don’t. As most riders know, we are coming into some of the best riding weather of the year! Start revving your motors for the 14th Annual Arizona Bike Week! Kickstands are officially up April 14th thru the 18th ! For ride updates and event calendars you can go to www.azbikeweek.com Ride safe everyone!
If the rally is not quite what you had in mind, there is still plenty to do! In my last Blog, I told you about the Dolly Steamboat that does tours on Canyon Lake. Now lets head toward another beautiful lake called . The scenery on the way to Saguaro is truly breathtaking. From Apache Junction, take Ellsworth Road (which will turn into Usery Pass) to the Bush Hwy., this will be a four way stop, take a right onto Bush Hwy. The Bush is a popular road for bikers with its turns and winding road. Our recent rains have put the cacti in full bloom and they are more beautiful than ever!
As you stay on the Bush Hwy, it will take you over the Salt River where there is some pretty good trout fishing, bird watching and during the summer, tubing! There are plenty of picnic tables and grills for an outdoor B-B-Q and a swim in the river. I have personally heard the sounds of wild donkeys and burros calling from their hidden spots behind the rocks along the river and I have seen red tail hawks soar over the water in search of their next meal. And on that rare occasion, you may get a glimpse of wild mustang kicking up dust as they run along the many hiking trails around the river.
Continue your way on the Bush toward Saguaro Lake. When you arrive at the lake, follow the road to the right, this will take you to the restaurant and marina. Here you will have the opportunity to either rent a fishing boat, relax on a pontoon or for something a little faster check out the runabouts. The fish are always biting at Saguaro, with the lake stocked with large and small mouth bass; rainbow trout, channel catfish and crappie the eating will always be good! Not the fishing type? No worries! Take a cruise the lake on The Desert Belle. The Belle has been doing tours on Saguaro for over forty years and has just been remodeled for an even more enjoyable time. If you have access to a computer go to www.saguarolake.net or call 877-749-2848 for more information. The recreational opportunities at Saguaro are never ending. From boating and fishing to hiking and a picnic, take a cruise, rent a boat or just have a relaxing meal on the patio of Saguaro’s Lakeshore Restaurant. It’s all good at Saguaro Lake!
Now you know what to do this week! Stay tuned for more adventures Arizona has to offer in my next blog.
Enjoy the day everyone!
Connie Duff, Manager of Sundowner Home Communities
Sun Home Communities.
Posted by James Gross on Fri, Apr 16, 2010 @ 01:24 PM
Sun Home Communities would like to welcome two new members to our parks!
Ray and Pearl Long have decided to make Park Place Resort in Mesa, AZ their place to call home away from home. Ray and Pearl arrived at Park Place in their RV planning to stay on a temporary basis. When I asked what made them want to purchase a park model and stake down permanent winter roots in Park Place, I was simply told “they really liked the people, the neighborhood, all the things there are to do in the park and the way the staff helped to get them settled in”.
Originally hailing from the UK and living all over Canada, they have been coming to Arizona for three years so in January they made the decision to purchase their new home. Ray and Pearl have two children, Ian and Wendy (who lives in Ambler PA). They are Grandparents of Wendy’s children, 6 year old Megan and 3 year old Holly.
Ray enjoys hiking; photography and restoring classic cars. Pearl also enjoys hiking; spoiling her grandkids and has ran a doggy day care for the past year and a half back home in Canada. I bet there are some spoiled pooches at her house!
Welcome Ray and Pearl! And enjoy everything Arizona and Park Place has to offer!
The Staff at Sun Communities