Instead of the route suggested by Rand-McNally on their mileage calculator -- that is, basically Highway 89, I am detouring to encompass a string of national parks and monuments, Canyon De Chelly, Canyonlands, Arches, Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, and ultimately, Glacier National Park where I am employed for the summer of 2013.
Today's destination is Show Low, a town in the White Mountains of Arizona. Highlights of the drive include Pinal Pass near Globe and the scenic Salt River Canyon, although they aren't really spectacular enough for me to include on this blog. So imagine your favorite scenic spot, instead.
Just kidding. Actually, the Salt River Canyon reminds me of a blend of Zion National Park and the Rio Grande Gorge near Taos. These photos, taken at midday, barely do it justice.
Salt River Canyon
After my previous Desert Rat blog, a reader (if I had any) might wonder why I am driving all the way to, well, frikking Canada for the summer. Partly it's because of the 105-degree summer temperatures in sub-tropical Arizona. and even though that's really enough of a motivation, there's also the splendor of Glacier National Park. Or so I'm told. Never been there, so it's all going to be new to me. This continues a tradition I have of heading north in the summers. In eons past, I worked for the Yellowstone Park Co., which was my introduction to national parks. They are to blame for my addiction, but they were superseded by a series of new concessioners, so the culpability gets kind of fuzzy after time. This year, I'm going to try a new venue. My car is riding low from all the junk I'm taking, I've returned my library books and bought a case of bottled water. It's time to hit the happy trails.
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