We decided to take a trip down (from Montreal, Canada via Florida) to Desert Country in December 1997.
After flying from Orlando, FL via Detroit, IL we finally landed in Phoenix, AZ and picked up a Korean (!?) rental car at the airport. After a visit the local AAA for more maps and local advise, we headed south towards Tucson. After spending a few days in Tucson area we countinued to the historical city of Tombstone, which are very much alive today. It was a strange feeling to walk in the foot steps for that time famous people.
After spending the night in a small and cold cottage at the R/V park we headed northeast towards the Monument Valley. There are some realy beautiful sites we passed on our way there. The Petrified Forrest is one place. We spent one night in Farmington (New Mexico) in a nice motel and in the morning we went to Mesa Verde (Colorado) to see the well kept ruins of the Native Americans who lived there many hundred years ago. They lived in a very smart way with their houses protected under the cliffs from weather and other tribes.
Mesa Verde, CO
Then we headed for the highlight of the trip, the Monument Valley. It was even more spectacular then expected. The red butts are a very magnificant site.
Four Corner Monument (state AZ/CO/NE/UT) was next on the schedule and it is more a feeling of being there than the actual monument. It is the only place in USA where each of the corners of 4 states are 90 degrees angel.
On our way to Grand Canyon we spent a night outside Flagstaff (AZ) in a cheap but nice motel. Grand Canyon (the south rim) is also very spectacular but I think the north rim is nicer.
Four Corner Monument
Monument Valley
Grand Canyon
Then we drove through Sedona and spent an afternoon in the strange city of Jerome. It was earlier a lively mining city but then the mining company decided to close down and 50.000 people left in a hurry. Today Jerome is a living ghost town with artists and other free souls. It is also a meeting place for Harley Davidson bikers.
Tucson was next on our mind even though we been there earlier we wanted to see the Sonora Desert Museum which we missed. It was worth the extra miles we put on the car.
Finally back in Phoenix we went to a hockey game between Phoenix Coyotes and New York Islanders. It was a good game in a great arena.
After 14 days in Arizona we flow back to Montreal, Canada and was hit by the icestorm of the century, but that is another story.
Mesa Verde, CO
Four Corner Monument
Monument Valley
Grand Canyon
