phoenix zoo

Wednesday 18th July 2018

Today we checked out of the accommodation and headed to the Phoenix Zoo.  It was a pretty hot day being very close to 40 degrees and obviously most of the animals are outside.  The zoo was nice actually  and we spent a few hours there looking at everything.  Once hot and over it we set off but not before looking at Hole in the Rock at Papago Park. That was right next door to the zoo. 

We had a 3 hour drive to Willams Arizona where we were staying for the  night before going to the Grand Canyon.  Williams is an old town that is on part of the old route 66 and as such the town pays homage to the old road.  It's also only an hour from the canyon.

tucson and pima air and space museum

Tuesday 17th July 2018

A nice 2 hour drive south was in order for today to drive to Tucson to visit the Pima Air and Space Museum.  We had been there before but that was back in 2011.  It had changed a fair bit,  they had built onto the museum and had a lot of extra planes.  We spent a few hours there looking through all the hangars and all the outdoors areas.  They have the 2nd (002) Boeing Dreamliner that was built for testing which was kind of cool. On the way back to Phoenix we stopped at Cracker Barrel for dinner which was amazing.  Tomorrow we are going to look around Phoenix a bit before we start to head to the Grand Canyon. 

joshua tree and phoenix

Monday 16th July 2018

Today we left Palm Springs headed for Phoenix Arizona.  We were gong to drive through Joshua Tree National Park on the way.  It really is a detour that adds a couple of hours to the trip but well worth it.  The day was beautiful but quite warm.  We did do a couple of walks one being Hidden Valley which is a loop that takes about 40 minutes.  The walk was nice albeit a bit hot. From there we drove up to Keys View which looks back over Coachella Valley and gives good views of the Salton Sea and Palm Springs in the distance.  The last stop was skull rock and another short walk to face rock.  Back in the car and then about a 5 hour trip to the next motel just out of Phoenix.  Got checked in then off to Applebees for dinner.  Got some drinks and chocolate from Walmart and then back to the motel.  Tomorrow we are going to the Pima Air and Space Museum at Tucson.