We are thankful to live in the great state of Arizona!
Thanksgiving is here, and we are thankful to live in the Great State of Arizona!
With the four-day weekend here, we wanted to encourage y’all to get out and explore this wonderful state we call home. The Romero family has spent countless vacations right here in Arizona because Arizona has it all! Whether you like waterfronts, flowing streams, historical sites, mountains, or cabins, etc., Arizona has something for everyone.
To spur you on, we visit with the most down-to-earth travel guide in the state, Mr. Roger Naylor. Roger is a writer for the Arizona Republic and carries the enviable title of freelance travel writer. His accomplished career as an author doesn’t stop there. Roger has written many books that guide and encourage us to explore Arizona. Roger tells us his motivation is quite simple. He writes about things he loves, and three of those are Arizona, hiking, and dining. As you might guess, we are kindred spirits!
Recently, Roger, Rosie, and Romey reminisced about some of the best, but not always the most popular, places to visit that Arizona has to offer. They all agree that our state has incredible State and National Parks, National Monuments, and Tribal Parks. Of course, there are great places to stop for dining all along the way.
Let’s take a trip around the state!
Places Along the Colorado River
When was the last time you were in the Yuma Territorial Prison Museum? The prison was established as a State Park in 1961. This park contains a valuable piece of Arizona history and is a great place to begin our travels.
Looking north along the Colorado River, although we are far from done in Yuma, we like to hang out in Parker, Arizona, where Buckskin Mountain State Park offers RV campsites and great river views.
Also along the river is Cattail Cove, where you can camp and eat at some great places in this Lake Havasu destination.
Hualapai Mountain Park in Kingman offers camping and some great hikes that will surely put some wear and tear on your hiking boots.
If you head toward Las Vegas, there are more than a dozen places to stop along the river. Consider stopping at Chloride, the oldest continually inhabited silver mining town in Arizona.
Route 66, Peach Springs, and the Grand Canyon Caverns
Leaving Kingman behind, we like to get off the Interstate and take the mother road east. That’s right, old Route 66. This scenic byway will take you through Peach Springs, where the Grand Canyon Caverns are undoubtedly worthy of some exploration.
Route 66 still has a few kicks left due to the efforts of a Seligman fellow, Angel Delgadillo. This barber, gift shop owner and businessman is considered the “Guardian Angel” of Route 66’s historic preservation efforts. While Angel no longer cuts the hair of visitors from all over the world, the shop is still on the mother route as it goes through this tiny town. Don’t worry about finding it; you will know it when you see it. The mountain town of Williams is another great stop on Route 66 (you will have to jump on 1-40 for a bit to access it).
Mountains and Tribal Lands
Flagstaff is a worthy stop with so many attractions. You could spend months hiking and eating your way around this town at the base of the highest peak in Arizona. At 8500 ft., the San Francisco Peaks offers a great view of the area. Whether you ride up the ski lift or hike the trail (not for beginners) you won’t be disappointed.
Roger has some favorite places in the Four Corners area. At the top of his long list of tribal attractions is the easy hiking trail called the Wildcat Trail. This trail winds its way around the iconic Mittens of Monument Valley. You will need to obtain a tribal pass to hike this beauty.
If we wind south to the far eastern reaches of the state, we come to Springerville and the White Mountains. This land is home to the White Mountain Apache Reservation. The alpine beauty here offers a great respite for those living on the desert floor for hiking, camping, and even skiing at a Sunrise ski resort.
You are getting the picture! Getting out and exploring our state will no doubt take a lifetime. With Rogers’s help, we have found some of the most exciting places to help relieve our craving for exploration. No matter what place in Arizona you call home, it is safe to say you can find a great spot, place, or piece of history within an hour or less from your driveway. Trails for hiking and mountain biking abound in Arizona, with thousands of miles to choose from.
While spending a week exploring a specific locale is a great way to have a staycation, which we encourage, we also recommend the many day trip opportunities in The Copper State, #48, that is Arizona!
Tell us your favorite day trips by emailing us at info@rosieonthehouse.com, and check out these resources for outdoor adventure ideas!
- https://www.rogernaylor.com/
- https://www.rogernaylor.com/dining
- https://www.nps.gov/state/az/index.htm
- https://www.visitarizona.com/places/parks-monuments/
- https://www.golakehavasu.com/
- https://www.visitarizona.com/places/american-indian/
- https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/arizona/wildcat-trail
- https://www.52hikechallenge.com/
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PODCAST
There’s more to Arizona than The Grand Canyon. A LOT MORE! Travel writer, author and hiker Roger Naylor has been there, seen it and written about it as he takes you on a tour. The best State Parks in the country, National and State Monuments, Sky Islands, High Country Pines, a ton of history to go with it. Oh, and food! Especially great burgers after a good hike!
Podcast Archive With Expanded Content and Resources
PHOTO CREDIT
- Arizona State Parks
- AZCentral
- All Trails
- Susan Kregar
