Tips for the Trip to Arizona please!:)

[DocDirk]

This coming Thursday we're pulling anchor, heaving HO! and my 16 year old son and I are taking the (hopefully) fully roadworthy beast on the road for a long-ago promised trek from Merced, California where we live through Arizona and perhaps parts of New Mexico and back (if there's enough time).

Good times and time for great conversations...

Got the AAA books and roadmaps out and we are hoping to find a few stretches of old Route 66 that are still enjoyably driveable and find a few unique sights to see along the way.

Have you any suggestions please on either of the above topics?

Is anyone willing to be available to recommend a dependable shop if we happen to need one in your area?

This should be a BLAST!

Regards to you in AZ and NM

Dirk

[Bob Broberg SPF667 460BB]

Look at Laughlin, NV. Then Short trip to Oatman, AZ, then follow old Rte 66 all the way to Seligman. Then on to Flagstaff (lots to do there). Then south on 89A to Sedona, then stay on 89A to Prescott. Then east to I-17 and north to 260 in Verde Valley, go east on 260 to Payson then stay on 260 to Showlow and north back up to I-40 and east to NM. Don't know how much time you have. Stay in Laughlin, Flagstaff, Sedona, Prescott, Payson or Showlow. AZ has LOTS of good, fun roads. Bring sunscreen and lots of ice & water.

AZ Bob

[Dangerous Doug]

I'd say take a side-trek to Sedona. On the way, stop at "Slide Rock" for your 16 year old son.

I think on Route 66 you'll find the road to the Havasupai Trail head. Havasu Falls (if you don't know what it is, Google it) is a short heliocopter ride away---takes off from the trailhead--- (okay, add onto that about a half mile hike through the sand). Sensational.

DD

[Bartruff1]

What a wonderful opportunity for the both of you....but...it is really really hot in Arizona....there are great Cobra Roads in the Sierra's and Coastal California or even up 395 into Oregon.... I am sure there are interesting roads in Arizona and New Mexico but I haven't found them yet...how about Colorado or Idaho...or Utah....Bob is so right, bring lots of ice water and sunblock....gee.....have a great time...

[Rick Parker]

Keep a cooler with ice water in it with a couple of towels. Wet the towels and wring them out and put them on your neck, it will help you stay cool. Also a small bottle like hair spray for misting your extrmities and face.

[twobjshelbys]

In Seligman be sure to stop at the Snow Cap. Trust me - it's entertaining and good food and one of the last remaining running landmarks still on the highway.

[thudmaster]

Dirk, I just got back from Sedona last night. It is a true treasure not to be missed. My advise is put a cruise control in the cobra and lock it down to the speed limit. There is possibly a half million state troopers between your house and the return trip. I know I saw them all but I had the cruise on the whole time.........(Prius). It's already been said to bring plenty of water and shade if possible (gold umbrella works). Take your time and enjoy that state, it is quite possibly one of our best...........Yeah I know.........
Be safe and have fun. You can tell us all about it at breakfast when you get back.....

[Danr55]

If you stop at Snowcap, be sure to ask for mustard on your burger.. and bring a clean shirt. the burgers are messy. Sunscreen, water, long sleeved shirt, and sunglasses are things you can't live without. If you get into New Mexico, take the drive down the west side of the Gila Mountians toward Reserve and Silver City. You'll see a turn off for a town called Mogollon. The drive up the mountain is great and the town is like taking a step back in time. You'll think you've time warped into 1965.

[Bartruff1]

rather take a cruise along the California Coast.. as I recall there are only two things a 16 year old boy cares about and neither one of them are wild donkeys....

[SoTxButler]

Keep those long sleeve shirts on and bring lots of sunscreen. And remember, it's not dyno time....so be careful and one last thing....aren't you happy to have those high rear gears....perfect for the Arizona roads.

Ya'll have fun!!!

[DocDirk]

Wow! Thanks for all the good tips and advice on how to enjoy the trip...I've thought of many other places I'd like to see too, but my son Preston's got his heart set on seeing a real part of the old Route 66, so Arizona it is...thanks for the specific directions, Bob.

Russ, yes, my skin has seen too much sun already - three cancers, one of them a malignant melanoma so long sleeves and screen yep.

Rick, I appreciate the cooling off tips, been thinking of putting an ice-water filled container on the floor with two sipping tubes!

Sedona's on the list now, Doug. thanks! I visited there in my motorcycle-crazy times about 1979...AND I remember sliding down the rocks in the river...think I had my mind more focussed on that lovely blond who came along on her own bike...now THAT was "back in the day..."

I'll have completed the steering revamp and the high CFM fan for my cooling system by Tuesday....oughtta make a difference.

Dan, TwoBJ, my wife calls those places "Five Calendar Restaurants" and is now whining that there's only one passenger seat.

Yes Russ, the high end gears are much appeciated given how much distance we'll be covering, and Ed, I'll keep it at the speed limit when cruising, but I might just hurry up a whooooole lot getting to it

Anybody have a recommendation of a reliable shop along the way just in case the car needs more TLC than I can give it?

I don't run a front plate (have it in the trunk) - anyone think the troopers will pounce on that?

Breakfast soon yahyoubetcha!

You guys are the greatest!

Dirk

[thudmaster]

They do not have front plates on their cars in Arizona. The lack of the plate will not be noticed. The cobra however.............

[Karl Bebout]

Dirk, bear in mind that Fitz is the guy that has a hard top, AC, and a gazillion dollar stereo in his Cobra. (he doesn't like to sweat, a little) Besides the other hints, carry at least a couple thick terry cloth towels to sit on to prevent serious swamp-butt.

[Fitz]

[Mike Brasfield]

1. When in Sedona, take a Pink Jeep tour of the back country.
2. Good Mexican resturant in the Sedona shopping district, up stairs with great views of the "red rocks". Forgot name.
3. Oatman to Seligman on route 66.
4. 40 to Flagstaff
5. 89A (back roads) From Flagstaff to Sedona, possible stop at Slide Rock State park. It's a natural rock rock slide.
6. You will pass by Williams and the south rim of the Grand Canyon is about 2 hours north of Williams. Well worth the side trip.

Note: June 15 starts the beginning of "Monsoon Season" in AZ. I moved from San Rafael 3 yrs ago and I have never seen it rain as hard as it does here. The thunder and lightening show is amazing and it usually starts in the high country (Flagstaff) and moves to the PHX area each late afternoon or evening. Had a show last night here in Mesa, AZ.

Hot/cool: Northern AZ is high enough to be cool or about the same as where you are from. Drop down off the "rim" (Sedona-Payson) and you get to the hot country. If driving long distance drive after the sun goes down and it's quite nice any where in AZ.

Have fun.

[SandyC]

Do you have air conditioning in your car?

Have you ever driven a long time when the temp outside was over 100 deg.?

If the answer to both of those questions is no, then I would heed the advice of those issuing warnings about driving in AZ in the summer. Remember, this is supposed to be fun.

[DocDirk]

Thanks all, and yes, Sandy, I hear you. I lived in Parker for a couiple of years in the 70's - too bad I didn't tour the state back then! I just loved riding around Western AZ and California in 100-115 degree heat on my motorcycle, usually would go 100-150 miles a day. I'm kind of a heataholic We'll have a cooler and lots of water...

I remember stopping in Lake Havasu City once and sitting down in a fast food restaurant for a glass of water.....was a few minutes before I realized i'd downed about five of them in a row OMGoodness the foolishness and immortality of youth! (Think I've only got the foolishness left over by now).

Thanks again to all who have taken the trouble to make this trip work out as well as possible.

In late July my wiffie and i will be taking a vacation down the Coast Highway towards Santa Barbara.... I know the car's just been completed but dagnabbit!! I didn't build this thing to sit around in the garage

Regards to all!

Dirk

[Bartruff1]

Did you go ? How did it turn out ??

[lamaluv]

Bart see post #25 a couple of posts above yours.

[Rwillia4]

Dirk,
I would stop by the meteor crater (http://www.meteorcrater.com/index.php) on the east side of Flagstaff. The Petrified Forest (http://www.nps.gov/pefo/) And the Grand Canyon (http://www.nps.gov/grca/) is always a good trip but it is about an hour off the main drag. Montezuma castle (http://www.nps.gov/moca/) near Sedona is cool. One of the best little towns that once was a cooper mining town, stuffed into the side of a hill is Jerome which is on the road between Sedona and Prescott. It is up around 7000ft so it will at least be cooler than Sedona. If you go there spend the $$ to go into the mine camp on the NW side of town and grab a burger at the local bar (called the Spirit Room) before you go.
A guy that owns a Cobra (FFR, I think) runs a parts store in Prescott on the corner of W Gurley St and Grove Ave. I’m sure if you broken in town and stopped by he would be able to help, I think it is names Allison Automotive. While you are there a walk down Whiskey Row and stopping to get a bite at the Gurly St Grill (230 W Gurley St) is suggested.
If you are into driving through turns you NEED to leave Prescott to the SW on White Spar Road. It contains 40 miles of pure turns. You will know when you are at the bottom when you see a long 5 mile down hill straight that ends at the local bar/ sandwich shop. In the middle of the turns are a few small town Peoples, Yarnell, … Take a right onto 93N and that will lead you back onto 40. Or if you have the time continue down to Parker then N on 95 through Lake Havasu and then onto 40.
I would suggest taking a 5-gal gas can sometimes there can be long distances between gas stations. And add some Red-Line Water Wetter to your radiator it will help with the heat.
I remember taking a similar trip with my dad when I was a teenager, we were in a 1970 VW pop-top camper, it was a blast. I ended up living in Prescott during 90’s for a few years. If you like outdoor stuff you can beat it.

Have fun,
Rob