ROAD TRIP STOPS: TUCUMCARI, FLAGSTAFF, SEDONA

 We just returned from our Grand Canyon hike, but it was much more than that!  We drove this time and spent some time in other places as well.  

Tucumcari is known for its Route 66 old main street full of old motel signs.  Sadly, most are decaying.  I got a kick out of seeing them, though, and also laughed when we saw the high school gym that said "welcome to the snake pit" (their mascot is the Rattlesnake). We ate at Del's and had ice cream at Sonic.  It was decent.  

My husband's only request:  get a burger at Laguna Burger 66 Pit Stop outside Albuquerque!

Flagstaff is the largest city near the Grand Canyon and we spent several nights here, enjoying some hikes and good food.  My DH worked remotely during the day so I worked on my projects as well.  We hiked in Thorpe park near our VRBO, and also drove to a trail called Fat Man's Loop which I really liked.  We tried a downtown coffee shop and looked in some of the stores.  Josephine's was within walking distance of our stay and it was the best meal we had in Flagstaff. I wanted to go to a place called Chocolita but 2 days in a row it was closed, so maybe next time!

Sedona was our visit after the Grand Canyon hike.  I had planned our activities there, and 3 other couples joined us.  We were glad to get to go there for two reasons:  1) It was warmer!  2) Good food! The Grand Canyon area is not known for its food. We stayed in a beautiful, quiet, neighborhood B&B,  Alma de Sedona, in west Sedona, a bit away from touristy Uptown.  We had two really good meals, at the Golden Goose Grill and Javelina Cantina.  We stretched our sore legs on the Thunder Mountain trail near our stay, and shopped at Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village.  A crazy but scenic outing was the Pink Jeep tour.  It was very bumpy but everyone assured me they were okay.  Sunday morning after our breakfast at the B&B, we worshipped together on the patio before we all headed home.

It was another great trip for us - the Grand Canyon hike, being with our dear friends, and all the little stops before and after!  We really enjoy road trips - car time, snacks, listening to audio books together, and like a recent commercial said, a feeling of escaping!  Road trips give you extended time with your spouse and a little more sense of how big the world is.