Flagstaff and Palm Springs two very different cities!

Ancient Puebloan dwelling

It took us about three hours driving to reach Flagstaff from Monument Valley.  En route we stopped off at the Wupatki NationalMonument, which protects the ancient dwellings of Puebloan peoples.  Whilst having a look at one of the ruins we passed a woman who had collapsed due to the heat - the temperature was just over 100.  The park rangers were with her, but it was a stark reminder of the need to carry water even if only embarking on a short walk!  

The visitor centre housed information on the Native Americans, in particular the Navajo tribes.  An exhibition told how they had lost their land, which had arisen because, as an incentive to settle the west, railroad companies were granted ownership of huge tracts of public domain land along their routes. 

lava flow

Further into the park is the Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, which features a 1,000 foot volcanic cone and its lava flows (the picture isn't great!)

Flagstaff is a charming town.   It is located on the original Route 66 and is about 75 miles from the Grand Canyon.  It is home to the Lowell Observatory, which is famous for confirming the existence of the planet Pluto.  With its high elevation (nearly 7,000 ft) the temperature was a pleasant 79 degrees when we arrived (it was the first time we had seen temperatures like this since leaving San Diego!) We spent a relaxing morning wandering the streets looking in all three of the huge walking stores there.  In the afternoon we visited the Museum of Northern Arizona, where we learnt more about the different Native American tribes in the area.  We also learnt that there are mountain lions roaming the area, which explains this road sign we saw in the Grand Canyon (I thought it referred to bobcats!)  We visited Walnut Canyon, but unfortunately they close the path at 4pm on the dot so we missed it by five minutes.   We were able to do the short rim walk and look at the cave dwellings far below us. 

We stayed in England House B&B.  Our hosts were wonderfully welcoming.  The gourmet breakfasts were amazing.  We had only intended to stay one night, but were seduced by Flagstaff so stayed for two.  We ate dinner in Carillo, a Latin restaurant where the food and wine was so good we decided to go there the following night too.   

PALM SPRINGS

Palm Springs is about a six hour drive from Flagstaff and two hours from San Diego so it made sense to spend our last night there.  Located in the middle of the desert, with its manicured lush green lawns, golf course and countless swimming pools it had to be seen to be believed.  Purpose built for pleasure, it couldn’t have been more different to Flagstaff!  It is surrounded by arid mountain peaks, which probably helps to protect it from the sprawl of further development.  Every Thursday evening there is a night market in downtown Palm Springs so we had a wander.  The temperature at night was still uncomfortably warm.  We ate a delicious meal at Ruben and Ozzy’s; while a soft spray of cooling water wafted over us (these cooling sprays are not good if your hair is of the frizzy type!)  It seemed wrong to be treating water in such a frivolous way, but we were told that water rates in Palm Springs are cheaper than in Oregon!  Palm Springs is located above a natural water basin, which may explain why water is in such a plentiful supply.  There was a lot more we could have explored, including a ride on the aerial tramway, but we were only there for a short time and the temperature was 115^oF!  Thank goodness for the Desert Riviera Hotel – a quiet oasis.