Today was a slower-paced day, which was nice after hiking all day at the Grand Canyon. After breakfast, Papa G and I headed to Route 66 where we explored Historic Downtown Flagstaff. It had a small town charm, which I love! We shopped in the quaint gift shops and took home many treasures from Arizona and the Navajo tribes who live nearby.
We then headed to the Sunset Crater Volcano & Wupatki Monuments. The Sunset Crater Volcano was a fascinating, natural monument. Even though the volcano first erupted around 1064 AD, evidence of the eruption still remain. Volcanic rocks, ash and debris can be seen on the neighboring hills and land. History suggests that various American Indian tribes may have been warned about the eruption from their great spirits & moved-on to another area before the mass destruction occurred. Over time, plants and trees adapted to the harsh conditions and began to grow, even in ash! So amazing! Luckily for those living near the area, it's very unlikely the Sunset Crater will erupt again.
The volcanic rocks
Sunset Crater Volcano
We continued up the road in the National Park to the Wupatki Monument. The 100 room pueblo village could still be viewed 900 years later! It is suggested that Hopi, Zuni and other Pueblo groups gathered here as a meeting place. They would share wisdom, farming, hunting and jewelry making skills. The groups left in the 1200s leaving their treasures behind sealed doors. Perhaps their wish was to return one day, but sadly that didn't happen.
After getting our daily history lesson, Daddy and I fed our grumbling bellies at Salsa Brava a Mexican restaurant featured on "Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives," on Historic Route 66 in Flagstaff, AZ (thanks for the suggestion Hil ;) The salsa is all homemade and changed 3x a day. They cut about 600 lbs of fresh tomatoes a week! Fresh rice is made 2x a day. And all the chicken and pork are antibiotic & hormone free! It was a tasty & healthy (in a way) lunch stop! I enjoyed the best chicken enchiladas EVER! Even though, I had to pop a couple tums later;)
After our tummies were full, we were on the road again! See ya soon Albuquerque, NM!!
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