Welcome to Arizona

The Grand Canyon and Sedona are the primary vacation destinations from Phoenix. We enjoyed both of them, although we found the real adventure is getting there. Items in italics are exits & notes.

On to the I-17 Corridor and our fictitious Realfar family and their Arizona Adventure:

We arrived in Phoenix at 9:30AM and we went to the airport car rental where we rented our SUV for our trip to Sedona. Not having the necessary gear to enjoy our intended hiking experience we Left the Airport Car rental and turned right to Sky Harbor Blvd when the GPA lady instantly chirped ‘recalculating, turn right then turn right’, I followed her snarky directions where 100 yards ahead was the start of I-17, the highway that takes us to our hiking spot in Sedona later in the afternoon.

Once on 17 we continued to the Glendale Rd (exit 208).  There we found the Metro Center Mall - Phoenix where we enjoyed a great lunch, and, of all things, an amusement park for the kids, along with several great stores to purchase the gear we needed to hike in Sedona and the Grand Canyon.

Fully outfitted we return to I-17 northbound. I drove north on 17 where at the 101 junction (exit 214) the interstate opens to a clean expansive 4 lane highway taking us to Sedona.

From the back our son asks, "What is a Pioneer village"?

 "I don't know", I replied "But let's find out", as I slowly merged right to make the Pioneer Road (exit 224).

We crossed over the highway, where to the west I saw a church steeple, which I headed for. We paid our modest entrance fee and immediately stepped into the 1880's. Pioneer Village provided an understanding of life in the Arizona Territory. ‘Boy, do we have it good’, I thought as we left Pioneer Village over 2 hours later.

Returning to I-17 we almost immediately read signs promoting Anthem Outlet Mall. ‘Too bad I just bought our hiking gear; I could have gotten a better deal here.’ I mused as we sped past the junction at Anthem Road.

Starting the climb up the grade at New River we enjoyed beautiful stands of hundreds of Saguaro Cacti standing tall along both sides of the freeway, reaching for the sun. My wife beside me asked our Son; “What if those were Indians and we were in a wagon train?”

‘We would be in real trouble,’ I thought as our Daughter said the same thing.

Our son asked: “Can we stop for some pie?”

 “What, I asked?”

 “It says here we can get a piece of world famous pie at Rock Springs Cafe in Rock Springs near Black Canyon (Exit 242) The sign just went by.”

Again I moved to the right lane to make the exit ahead. After turning left I saw a sign pointing me left toward a yellow old Victorian style house. I realized we have another adventure ahead at the famous Rock Springs, as I spotted the banner advertising ‘the Day of the Cowboy’.

Hours later, Leaving Black Canyon, I began to wonder, ‘Why is Sedona THE vacation spot with these wonderful places along the road?’

“The man at the counter everyone there called the Duuude mentioned Cordes Stage Stop at Bloody Basin Road (Exit 259), can we go there?” quizzed James.

Being somewhat of an old west fan I replied sure “Where is it?” 

“I think it is the next exit” he replied. “We have to go left and travel about 3 miles to the junction.”

Leveling out on the plateau we quickly reached Sunset Point Rest Area (exit 252). This scenic overlook has been a stop on this Arizona highway since it became a road. It is a photographer’s point for desert flora and sunsets. Returning to North I-17 we saw the sign for Cordes Junction 10 miles.

James chimed; “that’s not the right place we have to go to exit 259 according to the Duuude!”

I followed his direction and made Bloody Basin Road (exit 259). It shortly became a gravel road and the name changed to Crown King Road. We reached the junction of Crown King Road and Antelope Creek Road. Between the signs, pointing Crown King to the left and Mayer to the right, I saw a ‘picker’s paradise’.

The store at the Cordes Stage Stop has stood for over 100 years and is chock full of souvenirs and mementos of times gone by. James and Mary loved the old buildings and the pictures of the stages and listened to Kathy Cordes’ stories of Stage coach robberies and shootings while Joan and I poured over the items for sale; and those that were not.

Back on the road we passed a sign that said Cordes Junction 3 miles. “Weren’t we just at Cordes? Joan quizzed.

“I think we were at Cordes Stage Stop this sign says Cordes Junction.” Mary replied.

The truck stop was full, so I went to the 50’s style Diner just east of the Shell and asked the server where we were. She told me we are at Cordes Junction (exit 262) and asked if we were going to the ‘Blue Grass Festival’ and Arcosanti. The festival is starting later in the afternoon.  We talked over the idea but decided to continue on.

I was thinking to myself ‘this highway is a vacation in itself’ when Mary Chimed “Dad, they have a castle up the road. Can we stop there?”

Since we were on vacation, and it was too late to hike I replied; “Sure.”

Just before (exit 289) I saw the sign for Montezuma Castle Monument and took the exit. To my surprise I saw an entire vacation center near the Casino. We passed the adventure center and drove to the castle.  

Once there; we marveled at the engineering of the ancient site. We paid the fee and went to the center where we learned about the ancients of this area.

We were ready to continue on. Joan wanted to go to the Casino and James begged to go to Fort Verde.

Torn between their requests I decided to skip both as it was getting late. “Can we go to the Wild Animal Park?  Mary begged.

“No! We’re going to Sedona!” I yelled showing my frustration from poor planning.  “I’m sorry; I just didn’t know there is so much along this highway.”

Just 2 exits later we reached (exit 179) which takes us to Sedona and Oak Creek. We passed Bell rock and found the Hotel.

Exhausted I fell onto the bed. Looking up at the clock it was 9:44PM we had taken over 12 hours to reach Sedona, after a 4 and ½ hour flight, it was a long day. We were scheduled to be at the Pink Jeep Tours at 7:00AM. Our first day is done and we haven’t even unpacked our suit cases, let alone our hiking equipment. Our trip north on I-17 became our first Arizona adventure. I’m sure it will not be our last.

The Realfar family enjoyed 2 wonderful days in Sedona Arizona hiking, swimming, shopping and enjoying the beautiful red rock formations all around. As they were packing to leave for the Grand Canyon Joan asked, “What was the road the jeep driver said to take to Flagstaff that is so breathtaking?”

“I think it’s 89A but we can check when we leave.” I replied.

“UP! UP! UP! Let’s go its 4:30 and time to pack the car. Everyone take something to the car as you head for breakfast.” I forcefully declared. 

“It’s way too early”, James mumbled. “I wanna sleep,” Mary groaned. Joan declared “let’s go! I want to see the Sedona Sunrise. They say it is beautiful.”

“Which way are you headed, Asked the clerk as I checked out?

“To Flagstaff” I replied.

“Turn left out the drive and go past the jeep tours, that’s 89A the road to Flag”, the clerk responded.

Following his instruction, I soon found myself in a deep valley with the sheer walls of sun kissed mountains on both sides of the car. To my right was the flowing Oak Creek. Cars were parked in the cutouts and hikers were seen along the river. We switched across the creek a couple of times and soon came to a dead stop. The sign ahead announced Slide Rock State Park. The delay was a wonderful surprise. We were able to watch the ever changing play of the sunlight on the cliffs. The view from the valley was a bright blue sky and the brilliant hues of the red walls of those cliffs.

The traffic cleared and we continued driving to the top of the cliff. After encountering many switchbacks and a long steady climb we reached the top and the deep green forest. Shortly after reaching level ground I spotted a sign Flagstaff Airport, Grand Canyon Air Tours. “No”, I said, before James and Mary could ask. “It’s too expensive.”

After entering I-17 at exit 337 we soon passed under the I-40 bridge (exit 340) and after a mile we discovered, to our surprise Route 66. Mary and I looked at each other and quietly remembered times past. Breaking the silence Mary declared, “Let’s stop here on the way back.”

“Defiantly” I smirked, with fond memories of Route 66.

Following the advice of the GPS Lady we took 189 to the Grand Canyon.