Holbrook to Flagstaff – Cliff Dwellings and a Whopper for Breakfast!
After spending the night in our rather unusual Wigwam Motel, we were keen to hit the road and make our way back towards Las Vegas.
There was just one small obstacle to overcome first – finding breakfast!
Holbrook wasn’t exactly overflowing with early-morning breakfast options, so we decided to try our luck in Winslow. Unfortunately, things weren’t much better there. Perhaps we’d beaten the locals out of bed, or maybe some of the cafés and restaurants simply weren’t in a hurry to open their doors.
Either way, the breakfast hunt wasn’t going particularly well. But we had places to see, so we pushed on!
Walnut Canyon National Monument – A Walk Through History
Our first planned stop was Walnut Canyon National Monument, located about 16 km southeast of Flagstaff, Arizona.
This place is fascinating, with cliff dwellings built into the canyon walls by the Sinagua people. These historic homes provide a glimpse into how people lived in the area centuries ago.
We tackled the 1.4 km loop trail, which descends around 56 metres into the canyon and passes 25 cliff-dwelling rooms. It’s a great opportunity to get up close to the history and appreciate the ingenuity of the people who made their homes in such a remarkable location.
The walk itself was manageable, but here’s a little tip from personal experience: perhaps don’t choose the middle of summer for your visit! 🥵
Walking down into the canyon was one thing, but the heat made the whole experience a little more challenging. What goes down must eventually come back up, and those steps seemed to have a way of reminding us that we weren’t getting any younger!
Still, it was well worth the stop. The combination of history, scenery and the chance to explore the cliff dwellings made Walnut Canyon a memorable part of our journey.
Flagstaff – Breakfast, American Style!
By the time we rolled into Flagstaff, the search for breakfast was becoming something of a running joke.
Then we spotted a Burger King.
Now, I’m not normally one to get overly excited about fast food, but after our earlier breakfast failures, a Whopper meal was looking pretty appealing.
So, I ordered a Whopper meal for breakfast!
And here’s the surprising part: it was the first time I’d ever had a fast-food meal that actually looked like the photo in the advertisements! You know the photos – the perfectly stacked burgers that usually bear only a passing resemblance to what arrives in the wrapper.
This one genuinely matched the advertising. I was almost tempted to take a photo of it myself!
Even more amusing was seeing Whopper meals advertised for breakfast. Back home, a burger like that isn’t exactly your standard morning meal, but in the good ol’ USA, apparently anything goes.
You’ve got to love America! 🇺🇸🍔
With breakfast finally sorted, we could continue our journey without the distraction of hungry stomachs and the ongoing hunt for somewhere open.
Another day of exploring, a little history, a hot walk and an unexpected breakfast experience – all part of the fun of travelling.
The Thirsty Tourists – Touring is thirsty work! 🚗🇺🇸🍻
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