USA Road Trip 2023 - Part 1

In January 2023, we started our second road trip across the United States. We stayed from January to mid-March, which gave us plenty of time to visit several cities, attractions, and parks in multiple states.

This travel journal will be split into two parts due to the considerable number of places we visited.

This first journal covers the following states: Ohio, Indiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and California, and takes you through the outbound leg of our road trip.

The second journal will showcase the attractions we visited on the return trip, which mainly follows the famous Highway 1 along the Pacific coast.

So, I invite you to keep reading this first journal, which serves as a long recap to help you discover the various attractions we explored throughout this road trip.

Videos are included throughout the recap. Please click on the image to start the video.

Here are the links to jump to a specific post:

OHIO:

WinterLand - Christmas Lights at Cleveland Public Square Lake View Cemetery - Cleveland - Part 1 Lake View Cemetery - Cleveland - Part 2 Stroll through Columbus Upper Falls to Lower Falls via Buckeye Trail - Hocking Hills State Park – Logan Cedar Falls & Whispering Falls Hiking Trail - Hocking Hills State Park – Logan Ash Cave Hiking Trail - Hocking Hills State Park – Logan Exploring Cincinnati

INDIANA:

Visiting Indianapolis

MISSOURI:

Exploring St. Louis

OKLAHOMA:

Catoosa Blue Whale Discovering Tulsa Exploring Oklahoma City

TEXAS:

Exploring Shamrock Discovering McLean Exploring Amarillo

NEW MEXICO:

Ancestral Sites Trail - Pecos National Historical Park Discovering Santa Fe The Santuario de Chimayó Stroll through Los Cerrillos Walk through the village of Madrid San Francisco de Asis Catholic Church & The Bottle House - Golden Albuquerque Murals 66 Diner - Albuquerque Stroll through Old Town (Albuquerque) Rinconada Canyon Trail - Petroglyph National Monument Mesa Point Trail - Boca Negra Canyon - Petroglyph National Monument Macaw Trail - Boca Negra Canyon - Petroglyph National Monument Cliff Base Trail - Boca Negra Canyon - Petroglyph National Monument Piedras Marcadas Canyon - Petroglyph National Monument Sandstone Bluffs & Ventana Natural Arch - El Malpais National Monument

ARIZONA:

Stewart's Petrified Wood Shop – Holbrook Stroll through Holbrook Discovering Joseph City Exploring Winslow Grand Falls (The "Chocolate Falls") – Leupp Island Trail - Walnut Canyon National Monument Rim Trail - Walnut Canyon National Monument Wukoki Pueblo Trail – Wupatki National Monument Wupatki Pueblo Trail – Wupatki National Monument Doney Mountain Trail – Wupatki National Monument Citadel & Nalakihu Pueblos Trail – Wupatki National Monument Lomaki & Box Canyon Pueblos Trail – Wupatki National Monument Discovering Flagstaff On the way to Sedona Slide Rock State Park – Sedona Midgley Bridge Trail – Wilson Canyon – Sedona Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village Walking Tour - Sedona Chapel of the Holy Cross - Sedona Hiking at Cathedral Rock - Sedona Hiking the Bell Rock Trail - Sedona Hiking the Airport Loop Trail - Sedona Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park - Sedona Hiking the Boynton Canyon Vortex Trail - Sedona Hiking the Devil's Bridge Trail - Sedona Hiking the Birthing Cave Trail - Sedona Bell Rock Inn - Sedona On the roads of Sedona - Part 1 On the roads of Sedona - Part 2 Keyhole Sink Hiking Trail - Kaibab National Forest Discovering Williams Exploring Ash Fork Discovering Kingman Ramada by Wyndham Kingman Davis Camp Park - Bullhead City Discovering Yucca Lake Havasu Boardwalk Tour A duck catches a lobster – Lake Havasu Boardwalk

CALIFORNIA:

Exploring Needles Discovering Goffs Discovering Amboy Visiting the famous Bagdad Cafe - Newberry Springs Exploring Barstow Vehicles from Hell (Mad Max Cars) - Barstow Peggy Sue's 50's Diner - Yermo Liberty Sculpture Park - Yermo Lake Dolores Water Park - Newberry Springs ZZYZX Road - Mojave National Preserve Alien Fresh Jerky - Baker Kelso Dunes Trail - Mojave National Preserve Hole-in-the-Wall Rings Trail - Mojave National Preserve Visiting Mitchell Caverns - Mojave National Preserve Dante's View - Death Valley National Park Zabriskie Point - Death Valley National Park Golden Canyon - Death Valley National Park Artists Drive & Artists Palette - Death Valley National Park Devil's Golf Course - Death Valley National Park Natural Bridge Trail - Death Valley National Park Badwater Basin - Death Valley National Park Harmony Borax Works - Death Valley National Park Devil's Cornfield - Death Valley National Park Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes - Death Valley National Park Mosaic Canyon Trail - Death Valley National Park On the road - Death Valley National Park

NEVADA:

Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health - Las Vegas Exploring Downtown Las Vegas SlotZilla Zipline - Fremont Street Experience – Downtown Las Vegas Viva Vision Light Show 1 - Fremont Street Experience - Downtown Las Vegas Viva Vision Light Show 2 - Fremont Street Experience - Downtown Las Vegas Viva Vision Light Show 3 - Fremont Street Experience - Downtown Las Vegas Viva Vision Light Show 4 - Fremont Street Experience - Downtown Las Vegas Free Live Music – Fremont Street Experience - Downtown Las Vegas Chucky – Fremont Street Experience - Downtown Las Vegas Las Vegas Strip - Part 1 Las Vegas Strip - Part 2 Las Vegas Strip - Part 3 Las Vegas Strip - Part 4 Las Vegas Strip - Part 5 Tom Devlin's Monster Museum - Boulder City Hoover Dam Lake Mead - Lakeview Overlook - Boulder City Nelson Ghost Town - Searchlight

CALIFORNIA:

Scenic Route through Joshua Tree National Park via the North Entrance Hidden Valley Trail - Joshua Tree National Park Barker Dam Trail - Joshua Tree National Park Cap Rock Trail - Joshua Tree National Park Keys View Trail - Joshua Tree National Park Hall of Horrors Trail - Joshua Tree National Park Skull Rock Trail - Joshua Tree National Park Arch Rock Trail - Joshua Tree National Park Cholla Cactus Garden Trail - Joshua Tree National Park Lone Pine - Owens Valley Miss Alabama & Shark Fin - Alabama Hills - Owens Valley Lone Ranger Canyon - Alabama Hills - Owens Valley Mobius Arch Loop Trail (Heart Arch & Lathe Arch) - Alabama Hills - Owens Valley Eye of the Alabama Hills Arch - Alabama Hills - Owens Valley Boot & Cyclops Arches - Alabama Hills - Owens Valley One Mile Arch, Bowling Ball and Pins & Gunga Din Area - Alabama Hills - Owens Valley Whitney Portal Arch Trailhead - Alabama Hills - Owens Valley Fish Rocks & Trona Pinnacles - Mojave Desert Red Cliffs Trail - Red Rock Canyon State Park Hagen Canyon Nature Trail - Red Rock Canyon State Park Tour of Historic Downtown Tehachapi View of the Tehachapi Loop – Monolith César E. Chávez National Monument – Keene Discovering Bakersfield Kern County Museum – Bakersfield Bravo Farms, Tree House & Petting Zoo - Traver Walking Tour of Kingsburg Exploring Fresno Simonian Farms & Soul Consoling Japanese Internment Tower - Fresno Duncan Ceramic Products (iLoveToCreate) - Fresno Walking Tour of Modesto Wat Dhammararam Buddhist Temple - Stockton Walking Tour of Stockton Discovering Stockton University of the Pacific - Stockton Visiting Lodi Sutter's Fort State Historic Park - Sacramento California State Capitol - Sacramento Walking Tour - Sacramento Walking Tour - Winters Walking Tour - Napa The Chandelier Tree In Drive-Thru Tree Park - Leggett One Log House - Garberville Grandfather Tree - Piercy The Living Chimney Tree - Avenue of the Giants Stephens Grove Loop Trail - Avenue of the Giants Gould Grove Nature Loop Trail - Avenue of the Giants Fleishmann Grove Trail - Avenue of the Giants Mahan Plaque Trail - Avenue of the Giants Founders Grove Nature Loop Trail - Avenue of the Giants Eternal Tree House & Immortal Tree - Avenue of the Giants Drury-Chaney Loop Trail - Avenue of the Giants Walking Tour - Redcrest

COMING UP NEXT:

USA Road Trip 2023 - Part 2

WINTERLAND - CHRISTMAS LIGHTS AT CLEVELAND PUBLIC SQUARE - OHIO

41.49980, -81.69365 Downtown Cleveland Public Square 41.50542, -81.69245 “Free” Sculpture 41.50989, -81.69693 Voinovich Bicentennial Park 41.48754, -81.74925 Edgewater Park

The first stop on our USA road trip was Cleveland Public Square in downtown Cleveland, Ohio.

During the holiday season, an impressive number of Christmas light decorations are set up in Public Square. The light display is truly spectacular.

We then headed to Willard Park for a photo stop at the sculpture featuring an ink stamp with the word "FREE," as well as to Voinovich Bicentennial Park along Lake Erie for a second photo stop of Cleveland’s skyline.

The next morning, we visited Edgewater Park, which also offers a stunning view of Cleveland’s skyline.

https://youtu.be/tnDuh6w24Zw

LAKE VIEW CEMETERY - CLEVELAND - PART 1

Lake View Cemetery is a must-visit in Cleveland if you're fascinated by historic cemeteries.

41.514164, -81.59587 Abraham W Blann

I couldn’t find any information about this man’s identity. However, a newspaper from the time reports that Abraham W Blann was arrested in Cleveland, accused of inciting a soldier to desert. He was ordered to post a $1,000 bail for a later hearing before U.S. Marshal White.

41.514130, -81.595833 John Thiers

I couldn’t find any information about this man’s identity. One article, however, mentions that he was previously known as Casper Wittman in Pennsylvania.

41.513744, -81.595222 Levi Tucker Schofield

Levi Tucker Schofield was a prominent architect and sculptor in Cleveland. He also served as a captain in the 103rd Ohio Infantry Regiment during the American Civil War and designed many public buildings and monuments throughout his career.

41.51366, -81.59461 Wade Memorial Chapel

The Wade Memorial Chapel is a neoclassical chapel and reception vault. This building was donated to the cemetery by Jeptha Wade II in memory of his grandfather, who was one of the founding members of Western Union Telegraph and the first president of Lake View Cemetery.

41.513849, -81.594191 Sergey Gaidaenko

This gravestone, known as the “man with the guitar,” belongs to Sergey Gaidaenko, who lived in South Euclid, a city in the eastern suburbs of Cleveland. Of Ukrainian origin, he loved playing the guitar for his family and friends.

41.514490, -81.594090 Debra Ellen Lyons

No information about her.

41.51445, -81.59419 June Louise Mancuso

June Louise was a donor to Lake View Cemetery, and there’s a walkway named after her in the cemetery.

41.514190, -81.59368 Dr. Marc Anthony Smith

Dr. Marc Anthony Smith was a visionary, Alzheimer’s disease researcher, and editor-in-chief of the *Journal of Alzheimer's Disease*.

41.514075, -81.593578 Alan Freed

The Cleveland disc jockey, credited with coining the term "rock 'n' roll," has a gravestone that serves as a permanent tribute to popular music and how it changed American culture.

41.51383, -81.59318 Eliot Ness

Memorial for Eliot Ness, who was Cleveland’s Director of Public Safety from 1935 to 1942. He’s best known for helping take down Al Capone in Chicago.

41.513420, -81.591197 Franz Edward “Frank” Cudell

Franz Edward “Frank” Cudell emigrated to the United States in 1866 and settled in Cleveland. He formed a partnership with John N. Richardson and founded the architecture firm Cudell & Richardson. The firm designed Victorian Gothic-style buildings, including churches, the Jewish Orphans Asylum, and various commercial buildings.

41.513443, -81.590936 John S. Newberry

John Strong Newberry was a paleontologist and paleobotanist. He also helped found the Geological Society of America. The goby *Eucyclogobius newberryi* and the rainbow trout *Salmo newberryi* are named in his honor.

41.512957, -81.590441 Francis H. Haserot

Francis Henry Haserot was the president of Northern Haserot Company in Cleveland, a food service distributor. The company still supplies food products to hotels, restaurants, schools, hospitals, and other institutions today. He and his family are buried here.

Sitting on the Haserot family tomb, the Haserot Angel—actually named the *Angel of Death Victorious*—holds an upside-down torch: a symbol of life extinguished.

41.513263, -81.589505 Jeptha Homer Wade Sr.

Jeptha Homer Wade Sr. was a businessman and philanthropist. He’s famous for creating the Western Union Telegraph Company. He was one of the founders of Lake View Cemetery and served as its first president. The Wade Memorial Chapel was built in his memory by his grandson.

41.513858, -81.588927 Selah Chamberlain

Selah Chamberlain was an engineer. He first worked as a contractor for canal construction in the U.S. and even helped improve a canal along the St. Lawrence River in Canada. He also built several railroads and ventured into banking and iron manufacturing in Cleveland.

https://youtu.be/hLylfAezXQw

LAKE VIEW CEMETERY - CLEVELAND - PART 2

41.514985, -81.589993 Raymond Johnson Chapman

He was a Major League Baseball player. The Cleveland Indians shortstop was the only modern-era baseball player to die from the direct effects of being hit by a pitch. On August 16, 1920, at the Polo Grounds, he was struck in the temple by a pitch from Carl Mays of the New York Yankees.

He collapsed on the field and was rushed to the hospital. Despite emergency surgery, he died without ever regaining consciousness.

He played for the Cleveland Indians between 1912 and 1920. In 1917, he set a record with 67 sacrifice bunts and another for stolen bases, totaling 52.

In 1918, he led the American League in walks and runs scored, and at shortstop, he led the American League three times in putouts and once in assists.

In 1920, just before his death, his batting average was .303, and he had scored 97 runs.

The Cleveland Indians won the World Series that year, wearing black armbands in honor of their teammate.

41.51814, -81.58770 Garrett A. Morgan Sr.

He is the inventor of the three-position traffic light, the precursor to the red, yellow, and green traffic lights now used worldwide.

He also invented a safety hood and smoke protection device. In 1916, this inventor made national headlines when he used this breathing apparatus to save several men trapped in a gas-filled tunnel under Lake Erie.

He also created hair care products and sewing machine accessories, which are still popular today.

His achievements are even more remarkable given the racial prejudices he had to overcome as an African American living in the early 1900s. He is a member of the National Inventors Hall of Fame.

41.509719, -81.586676 Nathaniel Carpenter Merritt-Mervine

He died at the age of 40. He was an avid runner. However, he developed foot pain that was eventually diagnosed as a rare cancer, chondrosarcoma. Despite the diagnosis, amputation, and painful treatments that followed, he persevered for years, and he and his wife Leah continued to explore the outdoors, go jeeping in his beloved Wrangler "Big Bertha," and travel extensively.

41.50941, -81.58722 Community Mausoleum

Opened in 1990, this mausoleum features glass skylights and natural stone and offers year-round climate-controlled visits for loved ones.

41.513145, -81.590991 Henry Chisholm

He was the father of the steel trade in Cleveland. He founded the Cleveland Rolling Mill. His memorial depicts him life-sized, his left hand resting on a model of a steel rolling mechanism.

41.513500, -81.596273 George Charles Julier

He was the owner of Excelsior Bread, Cake and Cracker Works from 1880 until his death.

41.513178, -81.595592 Judge Edwin Timothy Hamilton

He was one of the most prominent judges in Cuyahoga County.

41.512750, -81.593587 George Willis Pack

He was an American philanthropist, lumberman, and railroad president. He developed numerous lumber businesses and became one of Michigan’s first millionaires.

41.512058, -81.592751 Arthur Hasserot

He died accidentally at the age of 21, and his body was discovered by his classmate Roy W. Hemingway.

41.510866, -81.590766 William Gray Rose

He was the mayor of Cleveland from 1877 to 1878 and again from 1891 to 1892.

41.510864, -81.590881 William J. Gordon

He was a wholesale grocer and iron ore merchant. He is best known for donating Gordon Park to the city of Cleveland.

41.51117, -81.59120 John D. Rockefeller

He was a billionaire philanthropist who made his fortune in the American oil industry. A nearly 70-foot obelisk towers over his grave.

41.51107, -81.59083 Silas Safford Stone

He was a real estate dealer who leased property to the U.S. government for military use during the Civil War.

41.51002, -81.59140 James A. Garfield Memorial

The James A. Garfield Memorial is a monument and the final resting place of the assassinated President James A. Garfield.

https://youtu.be/fTTmZ_buJXE

WALKING TOUR IN COLUMBUS, OHIO

A walking tour of Columbus to discover some of the tourist attractions this city has to offer.

40.05309, -82.91520 Fountain - Easton Town Center

Murals - Short North District:

39.97504, -83.00704 Parking - Goodale Park 39.97452, -83.00311 Turn left at the corner of West Poplar Ave & North High Street Several murals to see on the buildings 39.97785, -83.00356 Mural - Corner of Warren & North High Streets 39.97718, -83.00359 We backtrack and turn right onto Buttles Ave 39.97705, -83.00599 Small lake - Goodale Park Back to the parking lot

Genoa Park:

39.96048, -83.00589 Parking 39.95993, -83.00461 Viewpoint of Downtown Columbus 39.95756, -83.00519 Deer on Rich Street Bridge

https://youtu.be/H3ld4cG_pS4

UPPER FALLS TO LOWER FALLS VIA BUCKEYE TRAIL - HOCKING HILLS STATE PARK – LOGAN – OHIO

A 2 km loop hiking trail. A fun and stunning area to explore. The rock formations are amazing, and there are several beautiful waterfalls as well as caves along the way.

39.43628, -82.53975 Trailhead 39.43621, -82.53904 Upper Falls below the bridge 39.43607, -82.53922 Upper Falls viewpoint 39.43541, -82.54001 Devil's Bathtub 39.43363, -82.54150 Crossing the bridge 39.43327, -82.54315 Old Man’s Cave 39.43337, -82.54251 You can go this far and then turn back 39.43257, -82.54511 Crossing the bridge 39.43279, -82.54421 Lower Falls Lookout Back to the parking lot

Check out this site for more info: https://www.hockinghills.com/

https://youtu.be/yuGVhL-CJr4

CEDAR FALLS & WHISPERING FALLS HIKING TRAIL - HOCKING HILLS STATE PARK – LOGAN – OHIO

A 2 km loop hiking trail. The route starts on Cedar Falls Trail and then continues onto Buckeye Trail, leading to Whispering Falls.

We backtracked and took a left onto Buckeye Trail to reach Cedar Falls.

It was raining when we passed through this area, so the waterfalls were absolutely stunning and the river’s water flow was very high.

The trail crosses a hemlock forest. The scenery is really beautiful. Several waterfalls cascade down from the top of steep rocky cliffs.

39.41835, -82.52677 Trailhead 39.41996, -82.53452 Whispering Falls 39.41910, -82.52767 Left turn 39.41881, -82.52486 Cedar Falls 39.41863, -82.52536 Return to parking lot

https://youtu.be/Yh3R2LXIhlk

ASH CAVE HIKING TRAIL - HOCKING HILLS STATE PARK – LOGAN – OHIO

1 km loop clockwise. The trail to the waterfall is easy to navigate since it’s paved. It’s wheelchair-accessible from the parking lot. You can also do an out-and-back on this same trail.

If you’d rather complete the loop, just climb the stairs to the top and follow the forest trail back to the parking lot.

The scenery is absolutely stunning. This gorgeous waterfall cascades down from a steep cliff. The trail goes behind the waterfall, letting you see it from a unique angle.

39.39616, -82.54565 Trailhead 39.39934, -82.54436 Ash Cave

https://youtu.be/ffuk9TB5_04

EXPLORING CINCINNATI, OHIO

Cincinnati is a city in the United States located in the southwestern part of Ohio, on the right bank of the Ohio River.

Downtown Cincinnati offers a range of attractions and entertainment that are easily accessible thanks to the free streetcar network, which includes 18 stops over more than 3.6 miles.

You’ll get a glimpse of some of the city’s highlights in this video.

Cincinnati: 39.11750, -84.48795 Twin Lakes - Capitoline Wolf Replica 39.11731, -84.49029 Eden Park Water Tower 39.11400, -84.49420 Mirror Lake 39.10955, -84.51833 Washington Park 39.10158, -84.51248 Fountain Square Plaza 39.09668, -84.51109 Sing the Queen City Sign 39.10984, -84.53595 Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal 39.14114, -84.42369 Mushroom House

Covington, KY: 39.09160, -84.50420 Stunning view of Cincinnati 39.09061, -84.51091 Murals 39.09029, -84.51187 Covington Plaza - Stunning view of Cincinnati 39.08257, -84.52646 Devou Memorial Overlook

https://youtu.be/Q2pDMMWeiwg

VISITING INDIANAPOLIS - INDIANA

Indianapolis is the capital of the state of Indiana in the United States. Here are some of the attractions we discovered during our 6 km walk through the city.

39.76634, -86.17692 Zoo Parking 39.76785, -86.17249 Canal Walk 39.76767, -86.17123 We cross to the other bank 39.77729, -86.16510 We leave the canal and take West Walnut Street 39.77702, -86.15684 American Legion Mall 39.77563, -86.15826 Scottish Rite Cathedral 39.77475, -86.15689 The Obelisk 39.77324, -86.15694 Indiana World War Memorial 39.77198, -86.15700 Depew Memorial Fountain 39.76850, -86.15801 Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument 39.76855, -86.16161 West Marker Street 39.76729, -86.16106 Indiana Repertory Theatre 39.76826, -86.16345 Indy Star Gate and Indiana State Capitol 39.76863, -86.16352 Fountain and Indiana State Capitol Return to parking

https://youtu.be/wKPE_AEqjCM

VISITING ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI

38.62327, -90.18744 The Old Cathedral

St. Louis is a major city in the state of Missouri. It’s located on the banks of the Mississippi River.

Here are some of the attractions we discovered during our 3.5 km (2.2 mi) walk around the city.

38.62779, -90.18782 Quik Park Garage - Parking 38.62614, -90.19107 Kiener Memorial Fountain and Runner 38.62638, -90.19221 Peabody Park 38.62655, -90.19333 Citygarden Sculpture Park 1 38.62691, -90.19437 Citygarden Sculpture Park 2 38.62729, -90.19585 Serra Sculpture Park 38.62748, -90.19674 Freedom Suits Memorial 38.62767, -90.19771 St. Louis Police Memorial 38.62663, -90.19870 St. Louis City Hall 38.62795, -90.19897 Firemen's Memorial 38.62823, -90.20029 Court of Honor (Vietnam War & World War II Memorials) 38.62990, -90.20772 Meeting of the Waters Fountain 38.62935, -90.20764 Meeting of the Waters Fountain 38.63047, -90.19957 St. Louis Central Public Library 38.63047, -90.19872 Christ Church Cathedral

https://youtu.be/jZJgTkEJu2A

BLUE WHALE OF CATOOSA - OKLAHOMA

Location: 36.19382, -95.73294

The Blue Whale of Catoosa is a whale-shaped structure located by a pond on the east side of Catoosa, Oklahoma. It has become one of the most notable attractions on Route 66 in the United States.

It was built in the early 1970s by Hugh Davis as a birthday gift for his wife Zelta, who collected whale figurines.

This site became a popular water park frequented by locals and travelers passing through on the famous Route 66.

The park closed in 1988 but was later restored by the city of Catoosa and volunteers.

https://youtu.be/_9NhBoZXggo

DISCOVERING TULSA, OKLAHOMA

Tulsa is the second-largest city in the state of Oklahoma. This city stands out for its Route 66 gems, stunning Art Deco treasures, and lively entertainment districts.

Here are some attractions we discovered during our 4.5 km (2.8 mi) walk around the city:

36.16142, -95.99080 Parking 36.16143, -95.99049 John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park 36.15868, -95.99229 Bob Dylan Mural 36.15688, -95.99154 Center of the Universe (echo) 36.15423, -95.99022 Williams Center Green Park 36.15169, -95.99421 Denver Ave Station & Federal Courthouse and Post Office 36.15045, -95.98888 Chapman Green Park 36.15227, -95.98773 First Baptist Church & Trinity Episcopal 36.15422, -95.98873 Great city viewpoint and murals 36.15573, -95.98698 The Blue Dome 36.15987, -95.98602 Historic Black Wall Street (mural)

By car:

36.16458, -95.98708 Ellis Walker Woods Memorial 36.16055, -96.00178 Frisco Overlook – Viewpoint of Tulsa 36.15172, -96.01126 Cave House – 1623 Charles Page Blvd

https://youtu.be/3UE51vgM79I

DISCOVERING OKLAHOMA CITY - OKLAHOMA

Oklahoma City is a major city in the state of Oklahoma. It's also known as OKC. It's a lively metropolis with all the amenities of a big city: refined cuisine, numerous museums, and top-tier performing arts.

In a cosmopolitan and laid-back atmosphere, this city offers a variety of attractions. You'll discover some of them in this video.

35.49128, -97.50332 Oklahoma State Capitol 35.49064, -97.50180 Oklahoma Veterans Memorial

35.49421, -97.53216 The Milk Grocery 35.49279, -97.53082 The Gold Dome 35.48513, -97.51956 Henry Overholser Mansion

Hike of about 2.8 km in this area

35.47580, -97.51617 Parking in front of Oklahoma City University School of Law 35.47586, -97.51631 Oklahoma City University School of Law 35.47189, -97.51395 E. K. Gaylord Building 35.47138, -97.51715 Federal Courthouse and Old Post Office 35.46898, -97.52207 Bicentennial Park (between Civic Center Music Hall and Oklahoma City Hall) 35.47297, -97.51766 Oklahoma City National Memorial

Hike of about 4.6 km in this area

35.46113, -97.50518 Centennial Land Run Monument - Free parking Then follow the right bank of the Bricktown Canal to Devon Mosaic 35.46534, -97.51222 Devon Mosaic - Go up to the top of Devon Mosaic for a great view of the Bricktown Canal 35.46663, -97.51086 Bricktown Brewery 35.46598, -97.51845 The Great Lawn and Bandshell - Myriad Botanical Gardens 35.46527, -97.51725 Myriad Botanical Gardens Return to the parking lot

35.45784, -97.518657 Oklahoma City Union Station behind Scissortail Park

35.45261, -97.53163 Wheeler Park 35.45717, -97.54783 Elm Grove Park 35.45286, -97.55616 Historic Stockyards City Sign 35.45560, -97.55475 Mural 35.45301, -97.55482 Sculpture 35.45288, -97.55947 Auction

https://youtu.be/eJJaQ1hZWzQ

EXPLORING THE TOWN OF SHAMROCK - TEXAS

Shamrock is a small but lively regional hub in Wheeler County, Texas. A few historic Art Deco-style buildings are still standing, as they’ve been restored.

The Route 66 alignment helped Shamrock’s main avenue thrive with its garages, gas stations, restaurants, and tourist attractions.

You’ll discover some of them in this video.

35.22615, -100.24105 Route 66 Inn 35.22664, -100.24204 Shamrock Country Inn Motel (murals also across from this motel)

Hike of about 3 km in this area

35.22673, -100.24870 Conoco Tower Station & U-Drop Inn Cafe 35.22681, -100.24892 Texas-Shaped Monument (on the side of the Conoco Tower Station) 35.22627, -100.24863 Western Motel 35.22626, -100.24764 Big Red Cowboy Boot (Big Vern's Steakhouse) 35.21588, -100.24767 Pioneer West Museum 35.21565, -100.24763 Magnolia Gas Station 35.21556, -100.24882 Blarney Stone Plaza 35.21563, -100.24858 Welcome to Shamrock - Blarney Stone Plaza 35.21435, -100.24940 Shamrock Water Tower 35.21453, -100.24945 Welcome to Shamrock Mural - Tower Park 35.21705, -100.24901 Fake Blarney Stone 35.22481, -100.24953 Shamrock Mural

https://youtu.be/hq9D9-11M10

EXPLORING THE TOWN OF MCLEAN - TEXAS

McLean is a small town located in the state of Texas. This town hasn’t really changed since the heydays of Route 66.

It offers great photo opportunities for those strolling along this famous road.

McLean was a popular stop for travelers using Route 66 because the town provided various amenities like motels, gas stations, restaurants, and more.

A museum, a few buildings, and several murals showcase the town’s historic past.

35.23140, -100.59715 Devil's Rope Museum 35.23263, -100.60204 Restored 1929 Route 66 Gas Station 35.23284, -100.59998 Chuckwagon (restaurant and prices seem reasonable) 35.21226, -100.73447 66 Super Service Station 35.21440, -100.73975 United States Postal Service

https://youtu.be/-yzLyVcfUF0

DISCOVERING AMARILLO - TEXAS

Amarillo is a city located in the state of Texas. It’s crossed by the famous Route 66, the only significant Texas stop on this iconic route.

Travelers driving along Route 66 can relive the city’s past by visiting the historic Route 66 district, where you’ll find art galleries, antique shops, and restaurants that give the original buildings a western vibe.

35.19360, -101.75423 Big Texan Motel 35.19378, -101.75503 Big Texan Steak Ranch 35.21092, -101.86638 The NAT Antiques 35.21129, -101.86614 Historic 6th Street Sign 35.21109, -101.86705 Bussey Buildings 35.21115, -101.86803 Game Quest - Murals 35.21140, -101.87208 Ancient Borden’s Heap-O-Cream Parlor 35.21103, -101.87420 Carolina Building and nearby murals 35.21144, -101.87655 Taylor’s Texaco Station (Handle Bar) & Cities Service (Moe) Station (Moe Dog's Grill)

https://youtu.be/tWwgq7xo-CY

ANCESTRAL SITES TRAIL - PECOS NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK - NEW MEXICO

Pecos National Historical Park is located in the state of New Mexico.

The park’s main unit preserves the ruins of Pecos Pueblo. It also protects the remains of the Mission Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles de Porciúncula, a Spanish mission near the pueblo built in the early 17th century.

This is an easy trail that forms a 1.25-mile loop. The trail starts behind the visitor center and offers a glimpse into the past as it passes by the ancestral sites of Pecos Pueblo and the Mission Church.

The trail also provides stunning views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and Glorieta Mesa.

35.55042, -105.68635 Visitor Center 35.55060, -105.68640 Trailhead 35.55179, -105.68968 Left turn 35.55141, -105.68983 Pecos Pueblo South 35.55120, -105.68963 Turn around 35.55284, -105.69020 Pecos Pueblo North 35.54991, -105.68926 Spanish Church

https://youtu.be/YKgsyRwhXMY

DISCOVERING SANTA FE - NEW MEXICO

Santa Fe is located in the state of New Mexico. Its downtown, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, stands out with its adobe and Pueblo-style buildings, Native American craft shops, restaurants, and art galleries.

By car:

35.67873, -105.91739 Cristo Rey Catholic Church

5 km walk through downtown:

35.68818, -105.93310 Free parking on Hillside Avenue 35.68682, -105.93315 The Church of the Holy Faith 35.68697, -105.93690 Museum of Contemporary Native Art 35.68575, -105.93573 The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi 35.68690, -105.93618 Cathedral Park 35.68559, -105.93766 Loretto Chapel 35.68342, -105.93760 San Miguel Chapel 35.68352, -105.93741 Oldest House Museum 35.68249, -105.94087 New Mexico State Capitol 35.68772, -105.94111 Lensic Performing Arts Center 35.68806, -105.94086 Burro Alley 35.68809, -105.93920 New Mexico Museum of Art 35.68742, -105.93852 Santa Fe Plaza 35.68783, -105.93821 Palace of the Governors 35.68818, -105.93762 New Mexico History Museum 35.68953, -105.93296 Cross of the Martyrs Return to parking

https://youtu.be/mrQCHJlWEI8

CHIMAYÓ SANCTUARY - NEW MEXICO

The Chimayó Sanctuary is located in the state of New Mexico.

The earth (Holy Dirt) at this site is renowned for healing all illnesses and disabilities. That’s why many pilgrims come here every year. In fact, crutches, rosaries, and photos testify to some of the healings.

The monastery alone is worth the trip, as is the Santo Niño de Atocha Chapel, built in 1857.

35.98884, -105.93093 Parking 35.98920, -105.93173 Santuario de Chimayo 35.98902, -105.93176 Welcome Center Santuario de Chimayo 35.98966, -105.93260 Santo Niño Chapel 35.98982, -105.93243 Holy Family Chapel

I invite you to check out this website for more information: https://www.holychimayo.us/

https://youtu.be/p_eS35dqTs4

WALKING AROUND LOS CERILLOS - NEW MEXICO

Parking: 35.43745, -106.12504

Los Cerrillos was once the center of the mining industry in the region, which also included Golden and Madrid, and encompassed gold, silver, copper, turquoise, lead, and coal.

If it was once seriously considered as the capital of New Mexico, Cerrillos, with its dirt roads, is now a picturesque reminder of the Wild West.

The town served as the setting for several films, including Walt Disney’s *Nine Lives of Elfego Baca* and *Young Guns*.

https://youtu.be/igan1RDz-Ow

WALK THROUGH THE VILLAGE OF MADRID - NEW MEXICO

35.40923, -106.15166 Parking

Madrid is a charming little village located in the state of New Mexico. We parked our vehicle at the entrance of the village and took a walk down its main street to discover this place, which was once a thriving mining town in the early 1900s.

It was known for its coal mines. But in the 1940s, it experienced a sharp decline with the rise of natural gas, which replaced coal. The town was then deserted and became a real ghost town.

However, in the 1970s, hippies moved into this abandoned village and converted the old miners' cabins into shops and art galleries.

Madrid is now a dynamic artistic community with unique galleries, eclectic shops, and cozy cafés. If you love art, you’ll definitely adore this place.

You can also visit an old coal mine turned into a museum, the Madrid Old Coal Town Museum.

https://youtu.be/AHW2v6vA7Wo

SAN FRANCISCO DE ASIS CATHOLIC CHURCH & THE BOTTLE HOUSE - GOLDEN - NEW MEXICO

The Catholic Church of Saint Francis of Assisi, located in Golden, New Mexico, was built in the 1830s to honor Saint Francis of Assisi as the town grew thanks to the discovery of gold.

Mining continued on a small scale until around 1892. However, the population had declined so much that the post office closed in 1928, turning Golden into a ghost town.

The most photographed building in Golden is this small church, which was restored by historian and author Fray Angelico Chavez in 1960 while he was the priest at Saint Joseph’s Church in Los Cerrillos.

The Bottle House is located near this church. This quirky spot, right by the roadside, is adorned with countless colorful glass bottles and various miscellaneous objects.

Two fascinating places to discover if you're passing through this region of New Mexico.

35.26849, -106.21363 Road to access the church 35.26931, -106.21326 San Francisco de Asis Catholic Church 35.26688, -106.21347 Bottle House

https://youtu.be/j0Mq4BtvGF8

ALBUQUERQUE MURALS - NEW MEXICO

Albuquerque is the largest city in the state of New Mexico. The different neighborhoods in this city are packed with cultural, natural, and urban sites.

Downtown Albuquerque is the heart of the city. It offers a dynamic mix of nightlife, culture, and history.

2.8 km walk in this neighborhood:

35.08163, -106.64465 Street parking 35.08098, -106.64499 Sightworks - Several murals 35.08412, -106.64970 Parking (several murals nearby) 35.08418, -106.65104 The Library Bar & Grill 35.08494, -106.65252 KiMo Theatre 35.08465, -106.65334 Skip Maisel's Indian Jewelry 35.08489, -106.65499 The Historic El Rey Theater 35.08504, -106.65621 J.A. Skinner

https://youtu.be/QdtOFQoxYag

66 DINER - ALBUQUERQUE - NEW MEXICO

Location: 35.08213, -106.6306

The 66 Diner restaurant, decorated in a 1960s style, is located in an authentic former Route 66 gas station in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The restaurant was closed when we stopped by. However, the owner was there because he was doing renovation work. He saw me and still invited me inside.

I was truly dazzled by the decorative elements that perfectly recreate the retro vibe of that amazing era!

https://youtu.be/WLwuDisEG_U

WALKING THROUGH OLD TOWN (ALBUQUERQUE) - NEW MEXICO

Old Town is a historic neighborhood in the city of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Its narrow streets and century-old adobe houses are home to New Mexican restaurants and artisan shops.

The San Felipe de Neri Church, overlooking the main square (Old Town Plaza), was rebuilt in 1793 after the original church collapsed a year earlier. It’s the oldest church in Albuquerque.

Nearby, you’ll find the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, which has dinosaur skeletons, and the Albuquerque Museum, showcasing artworks.

35.09588, -106.66994 Street parking near Old Town Plaza – 2 hours free 35.09562, -106.66947 Old Town Emporium 35.09611, -106.66993 Old Town Plaza 35.09656, -106.66975 San Felipe de Neri Church 35.09706, -106.66935 Poco a Poco Plaza 35.09751, -106.66928 Patio San Felipe Del Norte 35.09765, -106.66893 Chapel of Our Lady of Guadalupe via Patio Escondido 35.09819, -106.66738 La Jornada Monument 35.09826, -106.66490 New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science

https://youtu.be/EQJ0zMMKBDo

RINCONADA CANYON TRAIL - PETROGLYPH NATIONAL MONUMENT - NEW MEXICO

35.13887, -106.71130 Visitor Center

Petroglyph National Monument protects one of the largest petroglyph sites in North America. It features motifs and symbols carved into volcanic rocks by Native Americans and Spanish settlers 400 to 700 years ago, stretching over 27 kilometers along the West Mesa escarpment in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Rinconada Canyon Trail

35.12719, -106.72523 Trailhead to the right 35.12733, -106.73593 Beautiful petroglyph 35.12580, -106.74210 Midpoint - You can turn back or complete the loop, but you’ll move away from the petroglyphs

The Rinconada Canyon Trail follows the northern escarpment, offering hikers a view of a variety of petroglyphs. The trail is a total of 3.5 kilometers long.

Check out this site if you’d like more info: https://www.nps.gov/petr/index.htm

https://youtu.be/oLWUYAQJxdA

MESA POINT TRAIL - BOCA NEGRA CANYON - PETROGLYPH NATIONAL MONUMENT - NEW MEXICO

A 500-meter loop trail that lets you see petroglyphs all along the hike, right next to the path. Information panels explain some details about the petroglyphs, the people who created them, and the surrounding area.

35.16090, -106.71670 Parking and trailhead 35.16077, -106.71612 Right junction 35.16125, -106.71550 Viewpoint and start of a small loop 35.16108, -106.71563 Right junction – Return

https://youtu.be/Mrwb4ayX1ks

MACAW TRAIL - BOCA NEGRA CANYON - PETROGLYPH NATIONAL MONUMENT - NEW MEXICO

35.16213, -106.71806 Parking 35.16227, -106.71822 Start of the trail

A 50 m loop trail where you can see numerous petroglyphs.

https://youtu.be/eaWp8hu5LV4

CLIFF BASE TRAIL - BOCA NEGRA CANYON - PETROGLYPH NATIONAL MONUMENT - NEW MEXICO

A 245 m loop trail. A short hike that lets you see lots of petroglyphs.

35.16215, -106.71833 Trailhead 35.16197, -106.71885 Start of the loop

https://youtu.be/97SSyRenqxo

PIEDRAS MARCADAS CANYON - PETROGLYPH NATIONAL MONUMENT - NEW MEXICO

35.18869, -106.68569 Parking

This spot is located near Albuquerque in New Mexico. A hike of about 2 miles (3.2 km) lets you discover up to 400 petroglyphs.

https://youtu.be/cFlp_tZXFJM

SANDSTONE BLUFFS & VENTANA NATURAL ARCH - EL MALPAIS NATIONAL MONUMENT - NEW MEXICO

* Sandstone Bluffs Overlook

34.94422, -107.83825 Parking

Located on the west side of Route 117, this overlook offers a view of the park’s lava flows and the impressive sandstone cliffs that border them.

* Ventana Natural Arch

34.87253, -107.88988 Parking and trailhead 34.86978, -107.88956 Viewpoint

A roughly 700-meter round-trip hike. Ventana Arch is the largest natural arch accessible in New Mexico.

Check out this site if you'd like more info: https://www.nps.gov/elma/index.htm

https://youtu.be/BcTgUFOUEtE

STEWART'S PETRIFIED WOOD SHOP – HOLBROOK – ARIZONA

Location: 35.00192, -109.89656

Stewart's Petrified Wood Shop is located on a hillside along Route 66, about ten kilometers from downtown Holbrook in Arizona. You can reach it via a service road.

Its numerous signs and giant dinosaurs make it easy to spot from the road.

The site is filled with wax mannequins, petrified wood, dinosaurs and other giant animals, old cars, and more. There’s even an ostrich farm!

The shop is at the back of the courtyard, where they sell pieces of petrified wood.

A fun stop for those who love quirky places.

https://youtu.be/DN0ZyixVB2Y

EXPLORING THE TOWN OF HOLBROOK - ARIZONA

Holbrook is a unique and historic destination in the state of Arizona that lets us relive the nostalgia of Route 66 with its vintage cars, its teepee-shaped hotel, its motels featuring numerous murals, and several other buildings that reflect the town’s past.

34.90722, -110.15825 The Corral - Murals 34.90746, -110.15792 Petrified Wood Direct 34.90689, -110.15789 Pow Wow Trading Post 34.90460, -110.15778 Winners Circle Bar 34.90408, -110.15843 Linda's Indian Art & Crafts 34.90305, -110.15773 Navajo County Historic Courthouse and Museum 34.90092, -110.15894 Rainbow Rock Shop 34.90015, -110.15826 Holbrook Railroad Station 34.89978, -110.15796 Bucket of Blood Saloon 34.90190, -110.15945 Joe & Aggie's Cafe 34.90197, -110.15888 Gillespie Park 34.90156, -110.15962 Romo's Restaurant & Nearby Murals 34.90257, -110.16885 Wigwam Motel & Nearby Murals 34.90335, -110.17005 Globetrotter Lodge

https://youtu.be/vrFEXYNtSxM

DISCOVERING JOSEPH CITY - ARIZONA

Joseph City, in Arizona, is a small town along the historic Route 66, known for its iconic Jack Rabbit Trading Post. The trading post has been a popular stop for travelers since the 1940s, with its large fiberglass jackrabbit and the famous "Here It Is" sign.

Other buildings also reflect the town’s historic past. Here are a few:

34.95606, -110.32120 The Old Fort Historic Marker 34.95625, -110.33802 Garage and shop "Joseph City Route 66 Arizona" 34.95811, -110.35052 Joseph City Welcome Sign 34.95974, -110.35949 Howdy Hank's Hopi Village & Indian Store 34.96804, -110.43041 Jack Rabbit Trading Post

https://youtu.be/IvrrB5C0EaY

EXPLORING THE TOWN OF WINSLOW - ARIZONA

35.01453, -110.67660 Winslow Route 66 Sign

Winslow is a small town located on Route 66 in north-central Arizona.

It’s the site of the famous Standin’ on the Corner (which you’ll see in this video), made popular by the Eagles’ song *Take It Easy*. The sculpture and mural are must-see attractions on Route 66!

La Posada Hotel is also a place to visit. Two beams recovered from the World Trade Center towers in New York serve as a 9/11 memorial.

Several other buildings and attractions are worth visiting since they’re part of the town’s historic past.

2.3 km walk around town:

35.02190, -110.69504 La Posada Hotel (street parking) 35.02304, -110.69666 Former Conoco Gas Station 35.02317, -110.69738 World's Smallest Church & Murals on this street 35.02348, -110.69813 Standin' on The Corner Foundation 35.02410, -110.69764 Isaac Caruso Mural 35.02330, -110.69821 1904 Navajo County Bank Building 35.02311, -110.69832 Winslow Theater 35.02300, -110.69815 66 Motor Palace 35.02347, -110.69867 Navajo Basket Mural + another mural on another façade 35.02518, -110.70319 Winslow Visitor Center & Hubbell Trading Post Return via the park behind the Visitor Center 35.02370, -110.70174 Totem Pole

By car:

35.02834, -110.70775 Moore's Pawn 35.03334, -110.71979 Former Mayfair Motel (murals) 35.09420, -110.93524 Meteor City Trading Post

https://youtu.be/LcSLZEXDWGE

GRAND FALLS (THE "CHOCOLATE FALLS") – LEUPP - ARIZONA

These stunning falls are nicknamed Chocolate Falls because their color looks a lot like milk chocolate. They’re also taller than Niagara Falls, standing at 56 meters high.

Their flow varies depending on rainfall and snowmelt.

It’s best to check the road and falls conditions before heading there. Just call the Leupp Chapter of the Navajo Nation at 928-686-3227 or visit this website: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/09400350/#parameterCode=00065&period=P7D

35.31840, -111.24170 Navajo Route 70 35.42690, -111.19490 Parking 35.42779, -111.20014 Viewpoint

https://youtu.be/DvJNOYZsJ58

ISLAND TRAIL - WALNUT CANYON NATIONAL MONUMENT – ARIZONA

35.17159, -111.50950 Visitor Center

Walnut Canyon features many cliff dwellings built by the Sinagua Indians eight to nine centuries ago around a U-shaped meander in the canyon.

35.17139, -111.50944 Trailhead 35.17136, -111.50933 Viewpoint 35.16968, -111.50987 Ruins and several others along the trail 35.16896, -111.51111 Last ruins

This trail is wheelchair-accessible up to the first viewpoint. It’s a 0.75-mile loop trail that descends steeply via a series of 240 steps.

Along the way, you can see more than 25 rooms.

Check out this site for more info about the park: https://www.nps.gov/waca/index.htm

https://youtu.be/2TBWeYQhAGE

RIM TRAIL - WALNUT CANYON NATIONAL MONUMENT - ARIZONA

35.17173, -111.50935 Trailhead 35.17155, -111.50844 Viewpoint 35.16980, -111.50549 Viewpoint 35.17137, -111.50702 Right turn 35.17277, -111.50836 Pithouse 35.17294, -111.50858 2-room ruins

This 0.8-mile loop trail crosses flat terrain along the canyon rim. It offers panoramic views of the canyon dwellings and the cliffs below.

It also lets us explore a partially reconstructed small house and a pueblo set back from the canyon edge.

https://youtu.be/nsIRygWgfMM

WUKOKI PUEBLO TRAIL – WUPATKI NATIONAL MONUMENT - ARIZONA

Wupatki National Monument is a collection of five beautifully preserved prehistoric Pueblos.

* Wukoki Pueblo

35.52963, -111.32849 Parking and trailhead

Wukoki Pueblo is an impressive eight-room structure built atop a large sandstone pedestal. It was occupied from the early 1100s to the mid-1200s CE.

The trail is 450 meters round-trip. It’s accessible up to the base of the pueblo and offers a stunning view of the San Francisco Peaks near Flagstaff.

The large tower was originally three stories high and still contains original wooden roof and ceiling beams.

Check out this site for more info about the park: https://www.nps.gov/wupa/index.htm

https://youtu.be/ARthy_H-d4E

WUPATKI PUEBLO TRAIL – WUPATKI NATIONAL MONUMENT - ARIZONA

From the early 1100s to the mid-1200s, this large ancestral pueblo structure was a bustling hub for trade and agriculture. Made up of 104 rooms, a ceremonial ball court, and a large community hall that likely hosted dances and ceremonies, Wupatki Pueblo is the largest independent pueblo in northern Arizona. You can view the entire pueblo from a viewpoint a few hundred meters behind the visitor center along an accessible trail, or you can continue on the 0.8 km round-trip trail to get closer to this important heritage site.

One of the most popular features of all the pueblos in the Monument is the ball court and the blowhole, both located at the farthest point of the trail.

Although it is no longer physically occupied, descendant communities believe that the people who lived and died here remain spiritual guardians. These places are commemorated and maintained, not abandoned. These sites and the lands they stand on are culturally significant to the 13 traditionally associated tribes of Wupatki National Monument, all of whom have ancestral ties to this region.

https://youtu.be/RXw5vPa1fIY

DONEY MOUNTAIN TRAIL – WUPATKI NATIONAL MONUMENT - ARIZONA

This 0.75-mile round-trip hike starts at the Doney picnic area and gradually climbs the side of a volcanic cinder cone to a panoramic viewpoint.

Interpretive signs along the trail tell you about the unique ecology of this rugged region and the adventures of Ben Doney, who prospected these hills for gold. You’ll even see one of Doney’s old dig sites along the way.

Also along the trail, you’ll find two prehistoric ruins with signs explaining their role in the local community and how they were tied to prehistoric farming practices.

35.53161, -111.40482 Parking and trailhead 35.53068, -111.40367 Field House 35.52760, -111.40630 End of trail

https://youtu.be/PgcXU6BwK0g

CITADELLE & NALAKIHU PUEBLOS TRAIL – WUPATKI NATIONAL MONUMENT - ARIZONA

Nalakihu is a Hopi word meaning "house standing outside the village" and is the smallest sandstone structure at the start of the trail. Based on tree-ring dating, construction likely took place in the late 1190s AD. It had ten rooms on the ground floor and three or four rooms forming a second story.

It’s hard to say how many people would have lived here, though it may have been a family with several generations, along with aunts and uncles, all living together at the same time.

The Pueblo Citadel sits atop a small cinder hill and can be seen from any of the surrounding small pueblos like Lomaki and Box Canyon. The walls were built to follow the contour of the hill and constructed with both sandstone and basalt (volcanic rock).

There are hundreds of small pueblo structures (1 to 20 rooms) around the citadel, as well as traces of agricultural fields, terraces, rock alignments, water catchments, and control dams.

Soil samples taken around these sites revealed pollen and seeds from domesticated plants such as corn, squash, beans, tobacco, and even cotton.

Though no longer physically occupied, the Hopi believe that the people who lived and died here remain spiritual guardians.

35.56627, -111.47047 Parking and trailhead (400 m round trip) 35.56613, -111.47104 Nalakihu Pueblo 35.56584, -111.47177 Citadel Pueblo

https://youtu.be/3oY4iB-PttM

LOMAKI & BOX CANYON PUEBLOS TRAIL – WUPATKI NATIONAL MONUMENT - ARIZONA

Lomaki means "Beautiful House" in the Hopi language. Located at the end of this trail, it had nine rooms built from local limestone and sandstone in the last decade of the 1100s. The interior and exterior walls may have been plastered, though nothing remains of it today.

The two smaller structures on either side of the earth fissure may have housed the extended family of those living in Lomaki. These structures are just a few of the dozens that surround Lomaki and the citadel.

With a keen eye, you can spot other walls above the neighboring mesas. At one time, this was a thriving community that traded with other communities hundreds of miles away.

35.57669, -111.46923 Parking and trailhead (1 km round trip) 35.57780, -111.46975 Box Canyon Pueblo 35.57841, -111.46964 Box Canyon Pueblo 35.57950, -111.46801 Lomaki Pueblo

https://youtu.be/HSaKgFxXEh8

EXPLORING FLAGSTAFF, ARIZONA

Flagstaff is a city in northern Arizona. It’s located south of the San Francisco Peaks, the state’s highest mountain range, and is crossed by the legendary Route 66.

We made a few stops by car and took a 2.7-kilometer walk around the city to discover historic buildings and several beautiful murals.

35.21404, -111.59955 The Museum Club 35.21045, -111.60623 Miz Zip's Cafe 35.19497, -111.62966 Western Hills Motel

2.7 km walk around the city:

35.19549, -111.64910 Parking on Cottage Ave 35.19642, -111.64882 Mural: Mother Myth 35.19689, -111.64801 Gandy Dancer 35.19740, -111.64723 Mural 35.19728, -111.64681 Mural 35.19818, -111.64744 Hotel Monte Vista 35.19831, -111.64774 Babbitt's Backcountry Outfitters 35.19858, -111.64804 Heritage Square & Mural: The Veridic Gardens of Effie Leroux 35.19906, -111.64806 Mural: History of Flagstaff 35.19973, -111.64987 Mural: The Flagstaff Portal 35.19982, -111.65018 Mural: Learning to Fly 35.19843, -111.64982 Mural: Unity 35.19861, -111.64947 The Orpheum Theatre - & Murals on the side and back 35.19844, -111.64887 Weatherford Hotel 35.19836, -111.64908 5 murals 35.19771, -111.64924 The McMillan Bar and Kitchen 35.19735, -111.64929 Flagstaff Train Station (Visitor Center) + murals on the wall and street (66) 35.19687, -111.65095 Mural: All Dogs Go to Heaven 35.19655, -111.65251 Mural: What Flows Beneath Our Feet & another mural on the other side 35.19549, -111.65305 Mural: Galapagos 35.19443, -111.65069 Murals on the front and side Back to the parking lot

35.18734, -111.65935 Riordan Mansion State Historic Park - Photo stop 35.19221, -111.66206 Galaxy Diner

https://youtu.be/dnRWm3rdeSI

ON THE WAY TO SEDONA - ARIZONA

Highway 89 is a very winding road that snakes through Oak Creek Canyon over a distance of 37 kilometers. It’s considered one of the most beautiful roads in America.

When we passed through this area in winter, a thick layer of snow covered the pine forests, making the landscape simply magical.

It’s also worth mentioning that Oak Creek Canyon is famous for its stunning rock formations and the changing colors of its cliffs.

https://youtu.be/CJnvWF1bCFo

SLIDE ROCK STATE PARK - SEDONA - ARIZONA

Slide Rock State Park gets its name from a 24-meter-long natural water slide formed in the sandstone of Oak Creek Canyon.

You can swim there, slide down the natural chute, or just relax on the smooth sandstone banks.

The park’s trails lead to wading pools and fishing holes along a 1-kilometer stretch of Oak Creek.

The park is also a historic site where you can explore the Pendley Homestead, a 17-hectare apple farm dating back to 1912.

We stopped by in January, but the site was closed. Still, we took a short walk along the river to enjoy the surrounding scenery.

Check out this website for more info about the park: https://azstateparks.com/slide-rock/

https://youtu.be/1NdSESdrkfY

MIDGLEY BRIDGE TRAIL - WILSON CANYON - SEDONA - ARIZONA

We stopped at Midgley Bridge, a steel bridge that towers above the canyon. A short trail leads to viewpoints offering nice views of the bridge and the canyon below, where you can see a beautiful waterfall cascading into the creek.

4.88577, -111.74163 Trailhead 34.88520, -111.74179 Oak Creek Vista & Midgley Bridge

https://youtu.be/J_zTW3qHkVo

TLAQUEPAQUE ARTS & SHOPPING VILLAGE WALKING TOUR - SEDONA - ARIZONA

This is actually an artists' district built in the 1970s that offers visitors over 50 galleries and shops, as well as several restaurants.

It really feels like a small Mexican village with shaded plazas, fountains, sculptures, and hidden little staircases. A lovely place to wander around.

34.86251, -111.76318 Parking 34.86197, -111.76368 Additional parking 34.86193, -111.76326 Chapel 34.86169, -111.76295 Fountain

https://youtu.be/UhSSgZY0XC0

CHAPEL OF THE HOLY CROSS - SEDONA - ARIZONA

The Chapel of the Holy Cross is one of Sedona’s most popular attractions. This Catholic chapel was built on a rocky spur, and the surrounding landscape is breathtaking.

A 27-meter-tall cross stands at the center of the chapel. The interior decor is very simple, but one of its facades is entirely made of glass, offering a stunning view of Sedona’s red cliffs.

The site includes a large parking lot and a souvenir shop.

It’s open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM, and entry is free.

Location: 34.83200, -111.76689

https://youtu.be/DgGVBv7_y1U