Arrived in time for Sunrise at Sunset Crater National Monument

After nine months of several planned road trips not happening I finally hit the road Tuesday and got just north of Flagstaff to Sunset Crater National Monument.

I let neighbors know I’d be gone for a while and left keys with a friend on the way out of Yarnell on Tuesday.  Also sent a text to Berta’s daughter to let her know my plans.  Her reply to have fun and let her know if anything needs to be done at the house.  So I told her about the scorpions and my recommendation to have everything moved away from the house’s outside walls then have it sprayed.  Four days later it’s taken care of.

Left town about 10:30am headed north to higher elevation.  Made one quick stop in Chino Valley and when I got in the camper Sierra was tucked into the bed covers with no plan to come out.

Between rain, construction, and an accident, Interstate 40 east of Belmont was a slow go for about 45 minutes.  Yet I felt in no rush.

Stopped to call a friend in Flagstaff and made dinner arrangements.  I was being taken out to my favorite Greek restaurant in celebration of one year no cigarettes. 

Only 12 miles north of Flagstaff and adjacent to Sunset Crater National Monument, Bonito campground provided paved roads and sites that were almost level for $24/night or $12 with my Senior Pass.  Normally I’d have camped on the west side of SR89 for free on the forest but with all the rain had concerns about gravel road conditions.  With only 25 sites—fire ring and table—and no reservations taken I was happy to see a few sites left when I arrived at 3pm.  They are nicely spaced out under the Ponderosa Pines.

I was unprepared when opening the camper door and Sierra bolted out.  I think as soon as her paws touched the unfamiliar ground she jumped into the truck wheel well to hide forever.  I coerced her with treats and she finally relented showing up by the truck cab where I picked her up and put her back in the camper.  My ride for dinner arrived moments later.  Sorry no pics of the delicious dinner.

By the time I returned to camp I was too satiated and tired to walk where I could see what looked like a colorful sunset.  Then after a restful quiet night I awoke early enough to see first light through the trees and it called my name.  With coffee in hand, I quickly battened down and drove east to the first parking for a trail to greet the morning.  I should do this more often, maybe.

I contemplated driving the 73 mile loop road through Sunset Crater and Wapatki national monuments yet I knew the day would get warmer and was thinking about Sierra baking in the camper.

So I turned around and quickly returned to SR89, headed North with a stop in Cameron for fuel before crossing the Painted Desert and on through the sparsely populated Navajo Nation.  No matter how many times I make this drive I an entranced by the desert’s beauty.

At the start of the climb onto the Kaibab Plateau I saw three California Condors soaring high above.  And before I knew it, was stopped at Jacob Lake where I just had to get a couple cookies.  It’s been almost nine months ya’ know.

And besides I needed some treats for my next remote location.

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