US Route 89 Vacation: Flagstaff to Apache Jct AZ

A day full of ups and downs, literally. We very much under estimated driving time due to some incredibly serious twisting roads thru steep mountains. Many miles were driven at 25 mpg!

Our day started with the surprising find of a Dunkin Donuts for breakfast, the first we'd seen in 20 days!!

We decided to add a trip to Sunset Crater and Wupatki National parks. The volcano remains were surreal-like a moonscape.

Our journey continued down through Oak Creek Canyon then into Sedona, the most beautiful city I've ever seen. We stopped at McDonald's for lunch-the only one in the world that doesn't have golden arches. They weren't allowed as they didn't fit with the beautiful red rocks. Blue arches was a compromise.

We have been staying on US 89 when possible instead of driving the quicker, new roads. Today one of the towns we traveled through was Jerome AZ. Seemed to all be built on the side of a mountain like in the Swiss Alps!

We somehow lost 89 near Sun City and we ended up driving thru the hectic surrounding areas of Phoenix and Tempe, not fun driving for me; Robert is SO much better at city driving. I did fine but was very ready for a hearty glass of wine at day's end!! I also got to spend a little relaxation time in the jacuzzi.