Leaving Phoenix, we decided to bypass the highway and drove Northwest towards Wickenburg and the old mining towns of Congress and Stanton at the base of the Weaver Mountains. The highway climbs the mountains on a series of switchbacks, known as Yarnell Hill, offering spectacular views of the Sonoran Desert and tops out at the town of Yarnell. Yarnell marks the transition from the desert to the central mountains of Arizona. After crossing the Peeples Valley, 89 enters the Bradshaw Mountains for a winding, curvy descent into Prescott.

Prescott has a rich history as a frontier gold and silver mining town. Mining and settlers brought frequent conflict with native American tribes in the area, including the Apache. Whiskey Row in downtown Prescott boasts many historic buildings, including The Palace, Arizona’s oldest restaurant and bar.

Flagstaff, the city sits at about 2,100 m and is just south of the San Francisco Peaks, the highest mountain range in the state of Arizona with Humphreys peak at 3852 meters which is the highest point in Arizona. Flagstaff, AZ is more than just the closest city to Grand Canyon National Park. Flagstaff is a vibrant, little city with a thriving local and mountain culture. Flagstaff, a captivating city nestled amidst breathtaking landscapes, has established itself as a magnet for mountain bikers, campers, hikers, and ski enthusiast.

Arizona Snowbowl. Just 16 kilometres north of Flagstaff on the western slope of Mount Humphreys on the majestic San Francisco Peaks. Arizona Snowbowl opened in 1938 and is one of the oldest continually run ski areas in the United States. The ski area receives 6.5 meters of snow on average every year.

Time to head East and follow the historical route 66.

After The ski fields just outside Flagstaff we visited Walnut Canyon Indigenous Peoples have lived and traveled throughout Walnut Canyon’s dynamic landscape. Vibrant communities built their homes in the cliffs and farmed along the canyon’s rim. Today the park preserves this landscape, and the ancestral homes in and around the canyon.

Just before Winslow, we stopped at Meteor Crater , They told us the world’s best-preserved meteorite impact site on Earth. Just off the old Route 66 Meteor Crater is the spectacular result of a collision that rocked the American Southwest approximately 50,000 years ago It hit the planet with such force that a crate was formed 1200 meters wide and 170 meters deep. I am not so sure if it is the worlds best, but maybe it is the worlds most touristy One. I think wolf crater at the end of the Canning Stock road is as good as. (without all the tourist)

Winslow

Standin’ On the Corner Park in Winslow is a public park on Route 66 in Winslow, it is named after the Eagles Song “Take it Easy’, which uses the name Winslow in the song.

If you follow the old historical Route 66 from Winslow, you will drive past two of the Route’s more famous trading posts. Once you come across the sign “Here It Is” and you have arrived at Jackrabbit Trading post. Not the trading post and the goods it used to sell but a store full of memorabilia, touristy souvenirs, T shirts etc. The second is the Geronimo Trading Post, which is home to what is claimed to be the world’s largest petrified log.

Holbrook

Arriving in Holbrook we were looking for some quirky Route 66 attractions. we stopped at the famous Wigwam motel. It has no rooms but large concrete teepee’s that have been operating as a motel since 1950. We also stopped at the Rainbow Rock Stop, home to various giant statues.

The Petrified Forest National Park around 30 kilometres out of town it is named after the fossilized (Petrified) wood that dots the area. The Petrified Forest is home to a large number of fossilised trees, and the colourful landscapes of the painted desert. An original section of route 66 used to run through the park. We entered the South Entrance; the area is desert but has lots of colour.