Because why in the world would I want to slog thru the biggest mess of sprawl this side of LA? From Wickenburg I rode route 74 just north of Phoenix (with just one brief glimpse of downtown towers in the far distance) to I-17, then north with a hot southerly tailwind past Black Canyon City to an informal campsite at the edge of Agua Fria National Monument. I wish I knew where to find the Agua Fria.
I must mention Joyce, the chamber of commerce lady in Black Canyon City. She was the friendliest and most helpful one I've encountered. (I've found the best way to find out where things like grocery stores and cheap motels are is to stop in at the chambers of commerce. They are usually happy to answer any questions.) Anyway, Joyce not only did that but gave me food, let me fill my bottles from the water cooler, and told me about how she fled Utah 30 years ago with her 7 kids.
After that the route climbed up a long steep grade to over 3,000 feet, only another 4,000 feet up to Flagstaff. The good news is that I have left behind the low Sonoran desert. I love the Sagauros and everything but it is unfit for human habitation in the warm months.
Next stop is Arcosanti, about which I will probably write more. I'd never heard of it until my friend Sung told me I should check it out, it is some kind of visionary experiment in architecture and planning conceived by Italian architect Paolo Saleri. I will be touring it and spending the night there.
Posted by danreedmiller at May 19, 2003 08:14 AMI finally found out how to spell and pronounce Agua Fria. Now I even know where it is. There was a song by country singer Marty Robbins called Big Iron. Lyrics beginning ("in the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day"). I got the lyrics of the song from the internet and presto-I was able to locate the town. I just saw a documentary on the Sonoran desert. Very bleak. I am used to it. I live in Australia...one huge desert. By the way, Zuni New Mexico I understand is near Agua Fria. I went on the reservation a few years ago. Good luck in your travels. Jim
Posted by: Jim on August 27, 2003 07:27 AM