Where Shall We Go? Wanderlust in the Wild West
I ended my last blog back in Flagstaff, AZ, with memories of fish tacos and homebrewed kombucha at the Mother Road Brewing Co. on Old Route 66. Flagstaff is a destination all on its own, tucked away in the beautiful San Francisco Peaks. But up to that point, the highlight of the trip had to be the Grand Canyon.
Have you seen it? If not, it’s a must for your bucket list. While it’s not one of the “Seven Wonders of the Ancient World,” it is one of the “Seven Natural Wonders of the World,” and for good reason. The Colorado River winds its way through this massive gorge—or maybe "slash" is a better word—in the earth. Scientists say it started forming two billion years ago when the earth’s plates collided. Who am I to argue? All I know is that the chasms, crevices, and layers of color make it absolutely stunning. Maybe it’s time to start planning your next road trip?
After soaking in the canyon’s grandeur, we headed back to Flagstaff for the night. The next morning, we took one last look at the San Francisco Peaks before heading south on I-17 toward Apache Junction. If we’d known about Sedona back then, we would’ve taken Hwy 89A and soaked in the fiery orange and red rock formations. Sedona is definitely on our list for the next trip.
We eventually made it to my aunt and uncle’s condo and got settled in. After some good family time and planning, we enjoyed their outdoor hot tub, where we had our first view of Superstition Mountain under a twinkling blanket of stars. Magical doesn’t even begin to cover it.
The next day, we ventured out to Lost Dutchman State Park, just north of Apache Junction. With its hiking and biking trails and amazing views of Superstition Mountain, it’s a must-visit. The park is named after the Lost Dutchman’s Gold Mine, which is the stuff of Old West legend. Depending on who you ask, the mine was discovered by a German immigrant named Jacob Waltz in the 19th century—and then lost during a Phoenix flood in 1891. The mystery of its location has inspired countless treasure hunters, but some paid the ultimate price searching for it. (Remember when I said to pick a trail that matches your skill level? Yeah, that’s why we stuck to the well-traveled ones!)
Later that evening, we ate at the Mining Camp Restaurant, which served family-style meals—big bowls and platters of ribs, sides, and desserts for the table to share. Unfortunately, I learned it burned down and isn’t reopening, but there’s bound to be something similar in the area with that same old-school charm.
Our journey continued south to Tucson and then west to Tombstone. This was a history lover’s dream! We saw the OK Corral, the historic Tombstone Courthouse (complete with gallows), and the Tombstone Epitaph newspaper office, which has been running longer than any other in the West. They even printed us a “special edition” with a headline about my dad robbing a bank! Lunch at Big Nose Kate’s Saloon on historic Allen Street was a blast—especially the Cowboy Cheesesteak sandwich with its chipotle ranch twist. David went for the brisket, as usual, and wasn’t disappointed. (I don’t think he’s ever met a brisket he didn’t like.)
One of the most unique parts of the trip was crossing the border into Nogales, Mexico. We parked the car and walked over, where the vendors were ready to haggle over everything. We left with some treasures: a marble backgammon set, a poncho, a cozy blanket, and a bottle of tequila with—you guessed it—a worm inside.
On our way back to Missouri, we swung by Copper Creek Canyon to see the deserted ghost town of Copper Creek. Once home to about 500 people, it’s now just remnants of foundations and whispers of history. There’s talk of reopening the copper mine there, so who knows? Maybe it’ll come back to life someday.
By the end of the trip, we were ready to be out of the car and back home. Road trips are amazing, but there’s nothing like your own bed.
Oh, and About That Air Freshener...
Spending so much time in the car makes you appreciate little things, like a good air freshener. But if you’re driving through hot climates like we were, you might find your air freshener melting. Here’s how to avoid that:
Pick the right kind: Gel-based or vent-clip air fresheners tend to handle heat better than the hanging ones.
Park smart: Whenever possible, park in the shade or use a windshield sunshade to keep your car cooler.
Be strategic: Don’t leave your air freshener in direct sunlight or on the dashboard. Under a seat or clipped to a vent is a better choice.
Remove it temporarily: If you know your car is going to be sitting in extreme heat, just take the air freshener out until it cools down.
These simple tricks can save you from dealing with a melted mess and keep your car smelling great—whether you’re trekking to the Grand Canyon or just making a grocery run.
Until next time, happy exploring!
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Lori Herr for Drive Time® Brand