Arizonian Intermezzo

After spending a few splendid days in the American Capital, it took me far out west again. Tucson, Arizona – the place where I made my first U.S.’ experiences three summers ago. It is a place where I not only made a lot of friends, but also started to really appreciate the vastness of the lands in the American southwest. One of these Tucsonian friends I met while working at a Summer Camp deep in the desert-ish outback once intriguingly stated: “You haven’t really seen the sky until you’ve seen the Arizona Sky”. I once more figured she was completely right. 

Arizona’s founding fathers and mothers baptized the 48^th of the American States under the name “Grand Canyon State”. However, throughout my several stays down there I never made the six hours drive up to Arizona's borderlands with Utah and Nevada. This time should be different. 

Northbound, and especially in the early summer, Arizona almost loses its desert-like character. Once passing Phoenix it opens up into a much greener area. The temperature drops sensibly and rather soon than late it gives view on the silhouettes of the Red Rocks State Park around the small town of Sedona. After a vivid afternoon hiking among the Red Rocks, we keep following the Route 89 for a stunning drive further north into the Oak Creek Canyon. Once passing these truly monumental views, the pine forests next to the slim road get thicker. 

Fog emerges from the valley and puts a surreal cloak on the surroundings. Shortly after, we arrive in Flagstaff, where we spend the night right next to the historic Route 66. From Flagstaff, it is only an hour drive in the early morning before entering the Grand Canyon National Park. And, there finally we are: standing on the northern rim of this miles-deep canyon, trying to catch a clear view among the hundreds of fascinated fellow Asian travellers taking pictures around us.