Flagstaff Off The Beaten Path

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This is a wonderful highway for views and also to stop and enjoy the small shops, see cabins and campgrounds along the way and some unique art. These are some of those. The whole area is like going back into the 1950's, and nothing has changed. NO chain restaurants, or motels' just good folk liking you to stop by.
The major views start after the Oak Creek Vista-about 5 miles south of Flagstaff. then maneuver switchbacks to get into the valley and then wind around the highway for 20 miles all the way to Sedona. There are a few restaurants, and gas; but not much. Along the way are 5 campgrounds, the main purpose for coming to the canyon, and Slide Rock State Park. It was packed the day I tried to get in, and actually full. This was apple celebration day.

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The main reason to come to the town is to see the mountains surrounding it; or maybe to shop, or maybe to see artists work, or maybe get your vortex in line. Whatever reason, there are some very nice views to note and take pictures of.

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This town is about 28 miles south of Flagstaff on Hwy 89A. That is the most logical way to come because taking US 17 from Flagstaff is 65 miles, and you would miss most of the scenery along the way. The town has two main arteries going through it; one Hwy 89A going east/west, and 179 going to the south and connecting to I-17 15 miles away.
The town got its foothold back in 1876 with J.J. Thompson setlling here and framing. Later Schnebly family came here and bought an 82 acres of ground to farm. The town got named after his wife; SEdona

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The scenery along Hwy 89A, the main route to Sedona is called Red Rock country because-of course, what would you think it would be called. Besides the red rock, there are wonderful settings of the clouds and sun in the area. This red rock area covers most of the surrounding terrain of Sedona for 20 miles around, and Red rock State Park on Red Rock Loop Rd is where a lot of people come to see the sites. I started to do so, but then found out besides a national park pass, there is a $4 entry fee, and another $8 if you wanted to hike. For what I asked?

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This forested area is a National Forest Service park along Hwy 89A on the way to/from Sedona. It is a nice trip, even though the switchbacks can get tedious with slow traffic in front of you. The park starts about 5 miles south of Flagstaff and connects with other park systems at Sedona around 20 miles further. Along the way is Slide Rock State Park, and a number of camping sites and campgrounds, and cabins to stay in the forested area.
Oak Creek vista is the more outstanding for pictures of the pine trees, and canyon valley and switchbacks to take going down/up from there. The local Indians set up tables to sell wares at Oak Creek. YOu get a pass from the Ranger for $5, unless you have an annual or lifetime park pass. This then is also good for parks in the Sedona area, except at Red Rock Loop park it costs ANOTHER $8 to enter.

This sounded like a great drive to go and see the falls on the Navajo reservation. Well, that idea changed after driving down the road on the reservation that was sheer madness-ripple-ripple- for the washboard road. It would have been nearly 10 miles of this, and I had enough after one mile. To get here, I drove 15 miles east on I-40, then took Leupp Rd north 2 1/2 miles, then drove another 20 miles to end up at the turn off for the gravel washboard road. It was a long drive for naught. If you have a 4x4 you may enjoy it a bit more.
The falls do not run freely until spring going into summer usually, but thought I would look and see for myself. The attached my entice you to make the drive

When wondering around, this beautiful grey stone Catholic Church caught my eye. I could tell immediately that it was very historical due to its Gothic architecture. The original church was built in 1888 on Beaver and Ellery Street with much of the brick lying was done by Father Carlo M. Ferrari. The first service was held Christmas Eve in 1888 and hence came the name, “Church of the Nativity.” Yet, as the town grew, so was the need for a larger church. So around 1911 the structure was moved to another temporary site and then to its present day site and was completed in 1930.

Tours are very welcome and still hold regular masses.

Corner of Cherry Avenue & Beaver Street

Exit onto from Route 66

I am never so happy to see old theatres being revitalized and maintained. There are almost like a time capsule when you walk into them. I know the Fox theatre in Bakersfield and a couple of historic theatres in the Sundance Square in Fort Worth, Texas are so beautiful inside. You can almost hear past whispers of the people who frequented them during their heyday. Originally called the Majestic Opera House in 1911, this theatre was owned by John Weatherford who also owned the beautiful Weatherford Hotel next door. It was thoroughly enjoyed by the city of Flagstaff with showing of movies, but in the winter of 1915 New Years morning the roof fell in from the overload of snow. The theatre did find temporary quarters until in 1917 when it was rebuilt in grandeur and renamed the Orpheum Theatre. Unfortunately, like many old historic theatres, the Orpheum fell on hard times and the doors closed in 1990’s. There she sat for some time, until someone would love and restored her to her old self in 2002. Now she is enjoyed by a whole new generation and hopefully into the future.

15 W. Aspen St - Flagstaff, AZ 86001

Between Leroux and San Franscico Street off of Route 66, just behind Weatherford Hotel