As we continue on our Escape the Tundra 2019 road trip, we are constantly reminded of the brutal weather that we’re missing in our homeland. With bone-chilling temperatures and snow up the wazoo back in the midwest, we have been pretty lucky on this trip as we travel south and west. Although temps have been well below normal during most of our trip, we enjoyed plenty of sunshine and the weather really hasn’t been a hinderance, except for a couple of rain days where we played catch-up at the movie theatre.
Click on the first photo in each group and scroll to see the square photos at full size.
If you know anything about Jim and I, you know that we rarely take the same route back to the same place, especially when there is new country to see. On our way to Sedona just a week ago, we came from Peoria straight up Interstate 17 (past the great pie place), so leaving Sedona this morning we’re taking the scenic route back to Peoria (weather permitting) where we’ll spend the next six nights.
We left Sedona this morning, where the forecast called for “a little dicey” around the Jerome area. As we headed on down the road, we kept an eye on Jerome, which was easier than one might think, since there was a “J” on its mountain!
The rain stopped, J mountain looked pretty clear, and even though the area behind the “J” looked a little unsettling, we decided we were good to go. We’re from Wisconsin for heaven’s sake!
It was all-clear as we made a quick stop in Jerome. A copper mining town in its heyday and once dubbed the wickedest town in the west, Jerome has lots to keep you busy for a day or so, including a mine tour and museum, haunted tours and several great places to eat. Since we had been there and done that, we continued our trek south. But even just passing through, we had to make a stop to admire the valley we had just left behind, because it was pretty amazing!
As we continued on 89A past Jerome, the temperature dipped into the low 20s with flurries and an occasional slick patch, adding a touch of anxiety to the curves and up- and downgrades. We welcomed the flat land north of Prescott, and we came to a stop at Watson Lake and the Granite Dells – a very unique place indeed.
As we admired the lake and its huge boulders of lumpy, rippled granite, we noticed a disc golf course amongst the rocks. A group of “frolfers” said hello and we watched them throw one round. When asked if today’s wind had taken many discs off course and into the lake, they said they were getting in some decent throws, but then showed us their large stash of brightly-colored frisbees for backups. As they moved on to their next target, we heard laughing and cheering as each took their turn. I would have probably needed more backups, because I don’t think I’ve thrown a frisbee since the 80s.
As we drove further into the park, we spotted a boat launch with benches and our wildlife for the day. This was a fabulous spot with a little more protection from the wind. The water level looked to be pretty high, since I doubt the trees are normally standing in water. Since we had no boat to launch and there were No Parking signs strategically posted, Jim was getting anxious that I was hanging out by the ducks for too long – even though there wasn’t a soul around to write us a ticket.
After that interesting (and cold) visit, we decided to warm up and have some breakfast in Prescott. Although the Lone Spur Cafe doesn’t look that busy in my photo, we had to wait a good twenty minutes to get a booth. Their French toast special at the link is SO GOOD and clearly they seated us in the appropriate booth!
Our next turn was onto Hwy. 89 from Prescott to Wickenburg – called White Spar by the locals. According to the guy that posted this video, “Route 89 is arguably one of the best motorcycle roads in Arizona!” If you watch the video, at one point you can see where the oncoming lane disappears, and for a stretch this highway becomes a double-decker, returning a ways later. If you can stomach the video, you are truly ready for the drive, because it’s not nearly as stressful on four wheels.
“Starting at the edge of Prescott and then extending all the way down to Wilhoit, White Spar measures to be an adrenaline packed 16.1 miles long. These high revving adrenaline junkies will experience approximately 109 heart stopping corners during their travel down the 16.1 miles. This choice of route does not come without consequences that are clearly posted on many corners along the treacherous road by means of memorials with helmets or signed motorcycle fairings. This knee-dragging route is not for the faint of heart.” – READ MORE
As you reach a crest in the mountains, pine trees turn to fabulous valleys. The winding road is so much more relaxing when you can enjoy the breathtaking views. I was driving and Jim was not thrilled with those breathtaking views, but I caught a glimpse wherever I could and there are pullouts for amazing photos.
Just past Wickenburg, we hopped on Hwy 74 at Morristown for a half-hour shortcut to Cibola Vista Resort and Spa in Peoria. Don’t miss that turn, or you’ll go too far south and have the Phoenix traffic to contend with as you travel back up north. Believe me, I learned from that mistake.
Not only do I have family in Phoenix, but we have six timeshare friends who are also at Cibola this week, and a friend from Jim’s hometown winters in Sun City West. This should be a full and enjoyable week!
Of course we got to our timeshare too early to check in. I think down deep we do this on purpose so we have to make a stop at the Wild Horse. After our usual, we left to get checked in. We quickly unloaded the car so we could visit our timeshare friends in one of their condos. Drinks and many vacation stories made for lots of laughs.
The first full day in a new place always means unpacking, organizing, and a grocery run. And today an oil change for our trusty vehicle was a must. The next day, after putting some chicken in the crock pot, we took a short road trip to Lake Pleasant. Even though the sun was shining brightly, it was a very cold day. Barely in the 40s, with that damn stiff wind again, we didn’t hang out for too long.
We returned home to the wonderful smell of dinner, so we steamed some vegetables and dinner was served and cleaned up quickly. Tonight we were the ones entertaining our timeshare friends. Once again we enjoyed the evening, but this time it was wine (for some of us), laughs and vacation stories till almost midnight. Many thanks to the woman who started our Facebook group. Many of our members – like us – are full-fledged vacation addicts, so there is rarely a lull in the conversation!
Earlier in the week, we made plans with family for dinner and a movie. That morning began with a hailstorm which was short-lived, but left quite an impression. The hail eventually turned to buckets of rain, so we decided on the Texas Roadhouse and the Green Book because of their close proximity. Except for the drenching rain, this was a wonderful evening out with family and we all agreed that the Green Book deserved its eventual Oscar for Best Picture!
With our next move to Las Vegas through Kingman just two days away, the weather became of greater concern, and for the next few days when we were home, the local weather channel was on the TV. Usually a trip from Phoenix to Las Vegas may only be a concern if the air conditioning goes out in your car, but this trip will be a little different. Not only is snow piling up back home, now snow is piling up in the surrounding areas of Phoenix as well.
At one point we checked to see if we could stay another night at Cibola just in case things had not improved, but since that wasn’t an option, we crossed our fingers and enjoyed the last few days of our stay here.
The next day, we were socked in with clouds and rain as we went to visit with Jim’s friend from Iowa and his wife who have another snow-bird lifestyle worth mentioning. They winter in Sun City West – just a short jaunt from four of my cousins who live here year ’round.
Greg gave us a nice tour of their house, which up until a couple years ago was used as a rental property. A few years ago when their renters moved on, Greg and Bonnie decided it was time to become snowbirds.
They gave us a great tour of their subdivision and all its amenities, and suggested we take a tour of the Del Webb Museum. Who doesn’t love tours, right?
Located in one of the five original houses built in 1960, the museum was like stepping back in time! I wish I would have gotten an entire photo of “mom” standing in the kitchen. This cardboard cutout of what moms looked like back in the day would shock many young folks who have not been exposed to the retro look that has recently made a comeback.
Believing that retirement could be a new and vital time of life, Del Webb made a boatload of money building homes for folks who were “too old to work, but too young to die”. An active lifestyle came standard in his developments, with amenities like a golf course, swimming pool, rec center and shopping. With five models from which to choose, folks came in droves and today there are over sixty Del Webb communities nationwide. Cool huh? But, that’s a lotta PINK!
We continued our reunion with lunch and martinis, more sightseeing and dessert before heading back to their house. We said our goodbyes and they offered up their spare room for a longer visit whenever we were ready. I feel the makings of another road trip coming on in the near future!
When we returned home, we saw the final totals for record snowfalls in the surrounding areas. The good news is, the forecast gave us an all-clear for our drive to Las Vegas the next morning. It appears that our great timing continues.
” ‘Highly unusual event’ leaves Arizona digging out from a 36-inch snowfall that shattered records” – READ MORE
Snow is expected this time of year in Flagstaff and Sedona – but not THIS much. Snow is NOT expected in Tucson, the Phoenix metro area or the ‘burbs. Las Vegas got their first measurable snowfall in more than a decade and Kingman got their forecasted eighteen inches. Hopefully Kingman’s snowplows are in good repair because we are headed that way!
Waking up the next morning was quite a relief! The sun was shining, temperatures were rising nicely, and the roads were clear. If we hadn’t looked too far into the distance, we may not have noticed the snow-covered mountains that surrounded us – but we did.
The diagonal striations on the mountains in the third photo is the partial double-decker that we drove to get from Prescott to Wickenburg (White Spar, above). We may not have noticed the road today if it weren’t for the striations in the snow.
Further up Hwy 93, we entered the Joshua Tree Parkway of Arizona. The Joshua Tree (below) is a scrappy-looking Yucca tree that grows in the Mojave Desert in four states. It was named after the bearded biblical figure Joshua by westbound Mormons. Also called the “praying tree”, the limbs seemed to guide travelers westward (or to the Promised Land). More accurately, they were pointing us northwest.
Almost to Kingman we see the remnants of their record-breaking snows. It doesn’t look like much by Wisconsin standards, but if you’re driving those mountain passes, it probably is – and that’s why so many roads were closed during and after this round of snowstorms.
Last time we were in this area, we just scooted around Kingman. In search of Arizona’s section of Historic Route 66, we went from Sedona to an overnight in Lake Havasu City via Williams, Seligman, Peach Springs and Oatman. On another day we went east from Flagstaff and saw more sights along the route – Walnut Canyon, Meteor Crater, Winslow, Holbrook, Painted Desert and the Petrified Forest. Click on the links to read about those fun-filled road trips!
At the time of our last trip we were unaware that we had a high school friend living in Lake Havasu City. This time we made a point to meet up with her on our way through. Mr. D’s Route 66 Diner was recommended as a fun place right on the historic highway. Nancy didn’t seem to mind the hour drive (once the weather cleared), and we talked for hours about everything from our grandkids to our future plans. I can’t wait to meet up again sometime in the near future!
“This Route 66 diner is an old fashioned diner, serving traditional diner fare, and is best known for its homemade root beer and pizza.” We had a cheeseburger, fries and a chocolate shake, which seemed apropos in a joint like this!
About an hour down the road we catch our first glimpse of Lake Mead at a scenic overlook just before the Hoover Dam. We could see for miles from this vantage point and the clouds looked like they had been painted on the sky with a brush.
Although traffic was still heavy, we came in south of the strip on Hwy 215, thereby avoiding much of that chaos. We arrived a little after 4pm at The Cliffs at Peace Canyon – our home away from home for the next week. We had a great two bedroom unit with a shuttle to the strip. About 15 minutes drive from Red Rock Canyon, this turned out to be a great location, given the fact that we had several day trips planned that didn’t involve casinos. It had a very inviting pool, which would have been even more enticing if the temps were in the “normal” range for this time of year. But, no such luck.
Well, that about does it for this installment. Some of the most beautiful parts of our trip are yet to come, so check back again!
Next up: Spillways and Slot Machines
Happy trails,
Barb
