Waited out the holiday then headed into northern Arizona

After wintering in southern Arizona I returned to my home base to make plans and repairs while waiting out the holiday weekend before heading into northern Arizona for the beginning of my summer travels.

Left a friend’s house June 1st and drove further into northern Arizona and a smoky Flagstaff from prescribed burns to the west.

I hoped my Coconino National Forest camping place outside of Sunset Crater National Monument wouldn’t be affected.  There was a definite haze but doable.

                                         Paintbrush                                                                                     Larkspur

Sparsely scattered flowers popped color on the pine needle covered forest floor.

Sunset Crater

I was excited to be under the Ponderosa Pines once again and had to hug and sniff a tree.

I figured the smoke and clouds might bring a pretty sunset through the trees but obscure the waxing moon.

Then got lucky.

I wasn’t in a rush the next morning to get to my next destination so decided to go the long way.  A loop drive of 35 miles took me through Sunset Crater and Wupatki national monuments.

Been so long I’d forgotten just how gorgeous this drive can be.

Then add dramatic storm clouds over an otherwise fantastic landscape.

Sacred Datura

I stopped frequently for flowers, views, and whatever caught my eye.

Like a corral with a place big enough to park and awesome views of the San Francisco Peaks.

Only made one stop in Wupatki at the Citidel and Nalakilu ruins.

After three extra hours of driving I returned to SR89 and continued into northern Arizona to my destination for the next several days.

However a growling belly caused me to stop for an Navajo fry bread burger.