Little Whale Cove
Depoe Bay, Oregon
January 28, 2019
Showing posts with label Sunset. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sunset. Show all posts
January 30, 2019
November 21, 2018
Wordless Wednesday
Little Whale Cove
Depoe Bay, Oregon
November 2018
Click on image for full size view.
November 12, 2018
Cottonwood, Sedona, and Flagstaff, AZ
Wednesday, September 19, 2018
Cottonwood to Flagstaff, Arizona
Distance: 55 miles
Campground: Cracker Barrel
Cost per Night: Free (Boondocking)
Duration: 1 night
Weather: Mild & Rainy
I wasn't surprised when we woke up shortly before 6 a.m. to see dark rain clouds in the sky, as I had been watching the weather ever since we arrived at Dead Horse Ranch State Park and knew the odds were not in our favor. After Crater Lake (which was engulfed in smoke the day we visited) and the Grand Canyon (which was stunningly beautiful), Sedona was at the top of my list for day hikes and simply taking in all the scenic views of the red-rock buttes. Sadly, the weather was not going to cooperate, so I brewed our coffee (trying out the new roast we bought yesterday at Firecreek Coffee Company) and settled down in front of my computer to figure out the day's Plan B.
Off we went, arriving in Sedona around 11:30. We could see the rock formations as we drove, but the sky was gray and the windshield blurring with rain, so I knew the photos I'd hoped to capture on one of my day hikes would have to wait for a return visit. Bummer!
The coffee shop was getting busy and the noise level had reached the point where it was no longer relaxing to sit and gaze out the window, so we finished our coffee and hit the road. We continued on Highway 89A so we could see more of the beautiful rocks in the area as we made our way north. We heard that the road, with many sharp curves and switchbacks (north of Sterling Canyon), isn't the best for RVs, but we're only 27 feet and the posted speed was slow and easy, so it wasn't an issue. I'm really glad we took this drive, as it was very pretty in spite of the rain and we spotted some campgrounds that may be worth checking out next time we're in the area.
We stopped at Oak Creek Vista to take in the view of the canyon and check out some of the local Native American jewelry and crafts booths.
We reached Flagstaff by 2 p.m. and found a quiet park with a good Verizon signal so we could spend a couple of hours working on computer projects. As it got closer to evening, we moved into town to the Cracker Barrel, where we had a surprisingly good meal. I tried their ribeye, which was amazingly delicious. Rod's chicken potpie looked good, too. Maybe I've been wrong about Cracker Barrel... or maybe I was just really hungry!
By the time we got settled in for the evening, a dozen or so RVs and trailers had joined us in the parking lot behind the restaurant. Having never boondocked at a Cracker Barrel, I wasn't sure how this was going to go, but it turned out to be pretty decent. There was a lot of road and train noise through the night, but we were safe and had a decent meal. Can't complain about that for a free, one-night stopover.
Discovering Soshone Point (Grand Canyon)
Hiking the Bright Angel Trail (Grand Canyon)
Sunrise and the El Tovar Hotel (Grand Canyon)
Cottonwood to Flagstaff, Arizona
Distance: 55 miles
Campground: Cracker Barrel
Cost per Night: Free (Boondocking)
Duration: 1 night
Weather: Mild & Rainy
I wasn't surprised when we woke up shortly before 6 a.m. to see dark rain clouds in the sky, as I had been watching the weather ever since we arrived at Dead Horse Ranch State Park and knew the odds were not in our favor. After Crater Lake (which was engulfed in smoke the day we visited) and the Grand Canyon (which was stunningly beautiful), Sedona was at the top of my list for day hikes and simply taking in all the scenic views of the red-rock buttes. Sadly, the weather was not going to cooperate, so I brewed our coffee (trying out the new roast we bought yesterday at Firecreek Coffee Company) and settled down in front of my computer to figure out the day's Plan B.
Sigh.
Smooth, but not quite as dark as we prefer.
Our original plan was to spend a full day in Sedona, return to our campsite in Cottonwood for a second night, then drive to Gallup, New Mexico (via the Petrified Forest) the following day. Since our day in Sedona was mostly a bust, we decided to break camp (sadly, no refund on our second night at the state park), visit a coffee house in Sedona before heading up Highway 89A and back to Flagstaff. By spending the night there, we could shave an hour off our drive on Thursday.
Entering Sedona on Highway 89A
We lucked out and found some RV parking in the Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village on Highway 179. We wandered around, window shopping for a little while before walking up the street to Creekside Coffee, where we sat and enjoyed our coffee and breakfast treats while gazing out the windows at the mountains. The photos don't really show the beautiful colors that, in spite of the gloomy weather, still looked gorgeous.
Spotted this beauty in one of the many galleries in the village.
Remove the clouds (and the wires) and this would be a stunning view!
A Brew With a View
A coffee shop with a comfy chair and a selection of books.
Yes, they do have a view!
The coffee shop was getting busy and the noise level had reached the point where it was no longer relaxing to sit and gaze out the window, so we finished our coffee and hit the road. We continued on Highway 89A so we could see more of the beautiful rocks in the area as we made our way north. We heard that the road, with many sharp curves and switchbacks (north of Sterling Canyon), isn't the best for RVs, but we're only 27 feet and the posted speed was slow and easy, so it wasn't an issue. I'm really glad we took this drive, as it was very pretty in spite of the rain and we spotted some campgrounds that may be worth checking out next time we're in the area.
Lovely contrast between the red rocks and the green shrubbery.
At $20 per car, we decided to wait until next time when it's not rainy.
We stopped at Oak Creek Vista to take in the view of the canyon and check out some of the local Native American jewelry and crafts booths.
Oak Creek Canyon
We reached Flagstaff by 2 p.m. and found a quiet park with a good Verizon signal so we could spend a couple of hours working on computer projects. As it got closer to evening, we moved into town to the Cracker Barrel, where we had a surprisingly good meal. I tried their ribeye, which was amazingly delicious. Rod's chicken potpie looked good, too. Maybe I've been wrong about Cracker Barrel... or maybe I was just really hungry!
By the time we got settled in for the evening, a dozen or so RVs and trailers had joined us in the parking lot behind the restaurant. Having never boondocked at a Cracker Barrel, I wasn't sure how this was going to go, but it turned out to be pretty decent. There was a lot of road and train noise through the night, but we were safe and had a decent meal. Can't complain about that for a free, one-night stopover.
Pretty decent place to spend a night, if you don't need hookups.
Not a pretty campground, but we still had a gorgeous sunset.
Click on images for larger view.
Previous Posts:
Previous Posts:
Discovering Soshone Point (Grand Canyon)
Hiking the Bright Angel Trail (Grand Canyon)
Sunrise and the El Tovar Hotel (Grand Canyon)
November 8, 2018
Williams, Flagstaff and Cottonwood, AZ
Tuesday, September 18, 2018
Williams to Cottonwood, Arizona
Distance: 110 miles
Campground: Dead Horse Ranch State Park
Cost per Night: $37.50
Duration: 1
Weather: Sunny and HOT!
Another early morning, which has become our normal routine on this road trip. We typically wake up when it begins to get light outside and rather than roll over and go back to sleep, we head to the coffee maker (actually, a Melitta drip system) and get started on our day. Today we were awake at 5:00, but we enjoyed our slow morning and didn't get on the road until after 9:30, arriving in Flagstaff an hour later.
We made our way downtown and found a great coffee house where we wound up having not just a cup of their delicious coffee, but an amazing breakfast. I had the Aaron Copeland Breakfast Sandwich with a small side salad (greens and fruit) and Rod had the lox and bagel. Firecreek Coffee Company reminds me of The Mill (Lincoln, Nebraska) with stone walls, large tables for studying or casual meetings, and the super friendly staff. They have an area in the back for live music, poetry slams, community events, plus there's a wine bar! It's our kind of low-key place that, while full and busy, wasn't at all noisy. We would definitely spend a lot of time there if we were locals. We wound up spending close to two hours enjoying our food and coffee as we took advantage of their free wifi. We never know what the wifi situation (or cellular service) is going to be like from one campground (or RV park) to another, so we are always happy when we get a chance to upload photos, work on blog posts and answer emails on a fast wifi connection.
After filling our tummies, we decided it was time to head south to our next campground. We took I-17 from Flagstaff to Cottonwood, which turned out to be pretty rough and bumpy in several spots. In addition the poor road conditions, the descent into the valley is long and steep with several stretches of a 6% grade for at least 13 miles. It's nothing the RV can't handle (we recently tackled a 15% grade!), but it was still a little stressful with all the semi-trucks traveling along beside us.
It was slow going into Cottonwood on Highway 30 due to construction, but I was ready for a slower pace after traveling on the interstate. We arrived at Dead Horse Ranch State Park around 2:00 and quickly got the electric hooked up so we could start running the A/C. It was 98 degrees!
About the park:
We relaxed for a little while before going on our usual walk to check out the campground and facilities. This park has a lot of trees and shrubs, offering quite a bit of privacy and space between sites. The asphalt pads are fairly level, requiring little if any leveling blocks. There's a fire ring, grill and picnic table at each site, but it was too hot to use either.
In spite of the heat, I took a walk after dinner to check out the upper loops and see the sunset.
Williams to Cottonwood, Arizona
Distance: 110 miles
Campground: Dead Horse Ranch State Park
Cost per Night: $37.50
Duration: 1
Weather: Sunny and HOT!
Another early morning, which has become our normal routine on this road trip. We typically wake up when it begins to get light outside and rather than roll over and go back to sleep, we head to the coffee maker (actually, a Melitta drip system) and get started on our day. Today we were awake at 5:00, but we enjoyed our slow morning and didn't get on the road until after 9:30, arriving in Flagstaff an hour later.
We made our way downtown and found a great coffee house where we wound up having not just a cup of their delicious coffee, but an amazing breakfast. I had the Aaron Copeland Breakfast Sandwich with a small side salad (greens and fruit) and Rod had the lox and bagel. Firecreek Coffee Company reminds me of The Mill (Lincoln, Nebraska) with stone walls, large tables for studying or casual meetings, and the super friendly staff. They have an area in the back for live music, poetry slams, community events, plus there's a wine bar! It's our kind of low-key place that, while full and busy, wasn't at all noisy. We would definitely spend a lot of time there if we were locals. We wound up spending close to two hours enjoying our food and coffee as we took advantage of their free wifi. We never know what the wifi situation (or cellular service) is going to be like from one campground (or RV park) to another, so we are always happy when we get a chance to upload photos, work on blog posts and answer emails on a fast wifi connection.
Another stop along Route 66.
Delicious!
Egg, bacon, cheese, avocado and tomato on a croissant.
Egg, bacon, cheese, avocado and tomato on a croissant.
Great quote.
After filling our tummies, we decided it was time to head south to our next campground. We took I-17 from Flagstaff to Cottonwood, which turned out to be pretty rough and bumpy in several spots. In addition the poor road conditions, the descent into the valley is long and steep with several stretches of a 6% grade for at least 13 miles. It's nothing the RV can't handle (we recently tackled a 15% grade!), but it was still a little stressful with all the semi-trucks traveling along beside us.
It was slow going into Cottonwood on Highway 30 due to construction, but I was ready for a slower pace after traveling on the interstate. We arrived at Dead Horse Ranch State Park around 2:00 and quickly got the electric hooked up so we could start running the A/C. It was 98 degrees!
About the park:
The story of the park's name begins with the Ireys family, who came to Arizona from Minnesota looking for a ranch to buy in the late 1940s. At one of the ranches they discovered a large dead horse lying by the road. After two days of viewing ranches, Dad Ireys asked the kids which ranch they liked the best. The kids said, “the one with the dead horse, dad!” The Ireys family chose the name Dead Horse Ranch and later, in 1973, when Arizona State Parks acquired the park, the Ireys made retaining the name a condition of sale. (Read more here.)
We relaxed for a little while before going on our usual walk to check out the campground and facilities. This park has a lot of trees and shrubs, offering quite a bit of privacy and space between sites. The asphalt pads are fairly level, requiring little if any leveling blocks. There's a fire ring, grill and picnic table at each site, but it was too hot to use either.
Lots of big, beautiful trees.
Desperate for shade, we had to sit by the back bumper.
In spite of the heat, I took a walk after dinner to check out the upper loops and see the sunset.
Looking toward Prescott, which is about an hour away.
Beautiful clouds and sunset.
Click on images for larger view.
Previous Posts:
Discovering Soshone Point (Grand Canyon)
Hiking the Bright Angel Trail (Grand Canyon)
Sunrise and the El Tovar Hotel (Grand Canyon)
Previous Posts:
Discovering Soshone Point (Grand Canyon)
Hiking the Bright Angel Trail (Grand Canyon)
Sunrise and the El Tovar Hotel (Grand Canyon)
July 19, 2017
January 10, 2017
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)