I decided I needed to keep heading north and go to Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon. I rode up through Sedona on Route 89A. This follows a creek (Oak Canyon Creek) all the way up through to Flagstaff. Beautiful ride with trees canopying the road as you twist and turn up through the mountains. I stopped at a rest area and took these pictures. On one of them I marked with red arrows the road up through just before the rest area.
I followed Route 89A up to Flagstaff, then went over to the Harley shop before getting a room for the night. The next morning it was 16 degrees out at 7 a.m. – brrrrr! Thank goodness it warms up pretty fast. When I left the hotel at about 9:45 it had warmed up to 44 degrees – heat wave! I took Route 89 up to Route 64 into the Desert View enterence of the Canyon. When I first turned onto Route 64, I could see in the distance a fire. They had signs saying smoke, but that was all I saw. I think I stopped at every turnoff along the way. Enjoy the pictures I took!
Just before I got over to the South rim entrance I notice some Elk just off the road. I pulled over and parked my bike. I stayed on the opposite side of the road, but a car pulled up right after me and a woman jumped out. The lady ran across the road and down next to these Elks. A Ranger came by and told her to move away. Shortly after the Ranger left they went right back. This is one of those times I kind of wished the Elk would charge. (Remember I said kind of…. I don’t want anyone to get hurt). Seriously people, these are wild animals, give them space and respect!
As I was leaving the park out Route 64 (South entrance) I found out where the smoke was coming from that I saw earlier in the day. There was a fire in the woods that was still smoldering. It was about a mile long, and I was surprised no one was around. I guess smoldering they don’t worry about it spreading.
It was getting late, later than I usually like being out. The temps were starting to drop and dusk. I was about 20 miles out from my hotel when I noticed another hawk sitting watching me drive by. The hawk is the messenger, he usually shows up for me when I’m getting tired. My sign to stay alert!
I’m glad I made it up to the canyon, but I still want to plan to do the whole loop and hit the north rim.
Love and Light to you all!
MyIronHorseJourney 