In between visiting the Hubbell Trading Post and Petrified Forest National Park Jo and I took a day and went to the Flagstaff area. We first headed to Walnut Canyon National Monument.
This monument only has two hiking trails and visitors are only allowed in a very small portion of the park. Most of the park is preserved for its archeological significance. The Parks Service was restoring one of the trails so we packed up and took the single trail that was open. It was very interesting. We were able to weave in and out of the cave dwellings that are the main draw for the park. It was a very nice walk and a very pretty park.
After Walnut Canyon we drove up to Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. Sunset Crater was easily one of my favorite parks we visited. It was simple and well designed. There were a few hiking trails, both with great views of the Flagstaff area as well as the Crater. When we started the longer of the two hikes it began to rain. I ran back to the car and grabbed our rain jackets and we enjoyed a very nice hike in the rain. I think the best part of that hike was the fact the trail was empty of people except this small family. Both mom and dad were finding and sharing the great parts of hiking, even in the rain, with their boys. It was inspiring to see a pair of parents sharing the Parks with their kids in an appropriate way.
Sunset Crater loops up to Wupatki National Monument, one of the biggest archeological sites we had the chance to visit during the trip. It was very cool, but by this time we were a bit tired of ruins. We took the self guided tour and took some photos but I think we were both glad to be back in the car and headed to Flagstaff.
In Flagstaff we took some time to walk around the downtown/University area and peek in to the little shops. We had a lovely dinner at a nice little restaurant and followed that with a very tasty latte. We were both impressed with Flagstaff and we look forward to exploring it a bit more in December when we will be spending time with Jo’s family in Sedona.
Peas!
Cory
No comments:
Post a Comment