Flagstaff Things to Do

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Sometime around 1125, a few decades after the eruption of the Sunset Crater Volcano, the Sinagua (Spanish for Without Water) began to build three different kinds of dwellings (Cliff, cave, and pueblo) all along the Walnut Canyon. They occupied the area until around 1250. The remains of these dwellings, along with the natural and rugged beauty of the canyon itself, are easily accessible from Flagstaff. The exit for Walnut Canyon National Monument is a short 10 miles away at Exit 204 from Interstate 40. For more information about Walnut Canyon National Monument see my page coming soon.

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Lowell Observatory was built in 1896 due to the efforts of Percival Lowell, who hoped to prove there was life on Mars. Now it's considered to be one of the major astonomical research facilities in the United States.

We visited in the evening for a program which began at 7:30 p.m. A guide illustrated various constellations and planets in a lecture hall setting. Following this, we moved to the rotunda where we found vintage photos, historical records and read about discoveries at the observatory.

Among the objects on display were:

(picture 2) A portrait of Percival Lowell

(Picture 3) Percival Lowell's first telescope received at the age of 15

(Picture 4) In his efforts to find the perfect location for an observatory, Lowell transported this telescope in two coffin-size boxes

(Picture 5) Lowell's historic 24" Alvan Clark refractor-using a lens created in 1896, which is housed in a building constructed by two bicycle repairmen who claimed they could build anything--which they did in a year's time

The sky was not clear that night, but as the moon clouded over and reappeared numerous times, all who stood in line had an opportunity to view it.

My particular interest in the observatory was that the late Eugene Shoemaker and his wife,Carolyn were associated with it. They, along with another colleague, David Levy, discovered and named a comet which spectacularly careened into Jupiter in 1994. Mrs. Shoemaker continues to be involved with Lowell Observatory.

Daytime hours are Noon-5pm (Nov.Feb.); 9 am-5pm (Mar.-Oct.)
Evening hours are 5:30 pm Wed/Fri/Sat. from Sept.-May. No admissions after 9:30 pm
5:30 pm Mon.-Sat. from June-Aug. No admissions after 10 pm.

Admission is $6 for adults; $3 for ages 5-17 and $5 for student/senior/AAA discount

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I grouped these since I only ate at one and had a beer, but there are maybe 20+ restaurants in the historic district. They were all packed with crowds at happy hour. Collins Irish Pub was where I ate and it was an okay burger with fries. The price was $8 and they and a lot of other bar food fare on the menu. Located at 2 N. Leroux St by Rte 66. Most of these eating places are really there for the drinking, and the university crowd is what is mostly down here. May get roudy later on in evening.

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For a time from a different era, and one that still brings in the locals, try this bar/restaurant. It was built in 1931 and back then and now is a roadhouse bar and dancehall. Virtually none of the original decor has changed, moved, or been dusted. The place is like going back in time. It is a thrill, though to see all the items put up on the walls, hanging form the ceiling, and the old tree posts for support beams are impressive.

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I was not able to go inside, but that disappointment was offset by looking at the magnificent outside facade. The church hours for inside are 9-3. The outside Gothic looking design has statues of gargoyles ringing the roof top. The colorful pick sandstone is a great contrast to the brown limestone rock they used for the base component. This is the third church after the first one was built close by in 1888. Much of the building materials used on that were moved to build this church. This church has been in operation at Beaver & Cherry Sts since 1930. There is a nativity scene on the side and also a gift store for purchases

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Downtown structures are all well taken care of and not many vacant. There are some older hotels that have great reputations for elegance, and many restaurants, as well as churches. The old town area is at access of Bus 66 and Beaver Street. It runs 4 blocks long and a depth of 6 blocks. Parking on the street is free for 2 hours, if you can find a spot. The Visitor Center is on Bus 66 at Leroux St intersection and inside the railroad depot. The trains still run here too; 100 a day come through for transport to the west/east as a key artery for goods.
The Hotel Weatherford was build in 1900, and remained the premier place to stay for years. It closed and then became an apartment type community, but after 30 years of renovation, re-opened in 1999. Next to it is a restaurant called Charley's Grill and Charley's Pub, a popular place for youth to hang out. Free snacks at happy hours.

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The history of this family named Riordan is interesting, and has a lot of involvement in the development of the city. Matt Riordan-pronounced Reardon-came out to Flagstaff to be a general manager for a lumber operation owned by E.E. Ayer in 1884. Lumber became a thriving business because of all the pine trees in the area and the railroad ran through the town for good transport. Two brothers came out to help Matt run the business, and by 1887, he had bought the lumber mill operation.
It continued to grow, and in 1904, they used some of the wealth to build this home, mostly all from the local woods they cut at the mill. The territory got Statehood and Michael became a Legislator, and the other brothers donated a lot of time to building up the town and also a dam for water source; Lake Mary. In 1933, the mill was sold, and eventually family members moved on. In 1980's they donated this home to Flagstaff to be an Arizona State park. It is 13,000 square feet, with both sides having the same architectural design and the middle connector is a 1,000 SF recreation and meeting room. The home had all the new features of the time, and was considered modern in that aspect. Is was designed by Charles Whittelsey, who also designed the El Tovar hotel in Grand CAnyon. The home has had a lot of work done on it, and the State may be forced to close it soon due to the economic times. That would be sad because this tour is well presented and a unique opportunity for us today to see how upscale lifestyle was like in early 1900's. Entrance fee is $6 and times are 9-4. Reservations are recommended since they only take 15-20 visitors at a time slot.

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Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Hans and I last visited Grand Canyon thirteen years ago, in 1996, when we did a road trip with Hans' sister Nel and husband Jean.
We made a return visit to GRAND CANYON on our "Road Trip 2009".
Starting out from our motel in Flagstaff, we made our way along Highway 180 and then on to Hwy 64 and the Park's south entrance station. We paid our $25.00 US entry fee (good for seven days). Our receipt recorded us as arriving at 9:54 a.m.
First stop was the "Grand Canyon Visitor Center" which is also the location of the IMAX Theater ($12.00 US admittance fee).
Our first stop was Mather Point (7120 feet elevation). We backtracked west to Yavapai Point and then continued on Desert View Drive to Grandview Point.
As it was now past 1:30 p.m. and we were getting hungry, it was lunch time. We looked for a Picnic Area and found a lovely spot with a table sitting in the bright sunshine. It was such a quiet and peaceful spot. The only sound you heard was the soft wind blowing through the trees. Not even sight or sound of any little critters scurrying about. I thought I would at least see a squirrel or little chipmunk.
After our Picnic lunch, we headed for Moran Point (7160 feet elevation) which in my opinion is the most beautiful view, with the sight of the mighty Colorado River winding its way through the Canyon below.
Next was Lipan Point (7360 feet elevation) and finally Desert View (7438 feet elevation). We finished our day at about 6:00 p.m. A full day indeed and such a wonderful experience.