Flagstaff | Travel Perspective

Flagstaff is located just south of San Francisco Peak, Arizona’s highest mountain range. It is on the west side of the largest Ponderosa Pine forest in the US, and was named after a Ponderosa flagpole made to celebrate the US Centennial on July 4, 1876.

Flagstaff, Arizona Photo by Andrew Leggett

We did not get to see it this time, but nearby is the Petrified Forest National Park. Two hundred million years ago, volcanic lava destroyed the forest, and the remains were embedded into sediment comprised of volcanic ash and water…. million of years later, erosion revealed the petrified wood now made mostly of quartz.

Back Garden of Little America Photo by Andrew Leggett

Our host…a squirrel …that looked like a rabbit/squirrel combo just outside of our balcony at Little America Resort, another great choice ..surrounded by 500 acres of Panderosa Pine forest…it is formally known for having billboards that stated Almost Home with penguins waddling on it. The number of penguins represented the distance to travel before reaching the hotel. It was below freezing when we arrived, and I wondered how the furry creature was faring…zooming in close he appeared a plump little fellow with a lovely thick coat, and after watching him dart around with fast paws that quickly grab any munchies nearby….my guess was that he was doing alright for himself.

Little America’s Back Garden Photo by Nicki Hurd

Hopped on our bicycles and explored the Ponderosas behind the lodge.

Little America Photo by Nicki Hurd

As we were checking in, a flustered man approached the reception to request another room…seems he opened the door to his room, and found someone in there already – and she was surprised to see him. :- O

View from our room at Little America Photo by Andrew Leggett

In the evening we stayed in and kept warm at Western Gold, the resort restaurant, just a short jaunt down the corridor.

Glass Sculpture above the bar at the Western Gold Restaurant Photo by Nicki Hurd

There is a lovely glass sculpture suspended over the bar at Western Gold.

Steam Train in Old Town, Flagstaff Azizona Photo by Andrew Leggett

In the early days, the economy of Flagstaff was based on lumber, railroad, and ranching.

Karma Sushi, Flagstaff Photo by Nicki Hurd

Just in time for Happy Hour sushi at Karma Sushi in Old Town…the food was beautiful, delicious, and reasonably priced. Staff were friendly but not intrusive.

Karma Sushi Flagstaff Photo by Nicki Hurd

Lowell Observatory was closing when we arrived and we were not able to attend a tour.

Lowell Observatory Flagstaff Arizona Photo by Nicki Hurd

The astronomer Percival Lowell from Massachusetts hired Andrew Ellicott Douglass, also an astronomer from Windsor Vermont, to scout a location for an observatory.