Cool Feathery Thoughts

Tanacetum densum ssp. amanii  or Partridge Feather Plant at the Arboretum at Flagstaff

"Winter is the time of promise because there is so little to do - or because you can now and then permit yourself the luxury of thinking so."

- Stanley Crawford

Breakfast In Flagstaff

A haven from the sometimes oppressive heat of the desert, Flagstaff is a sky island of cooler temps, trees, and a snowy mountain top.  It was nice heading back here after 10 years of not having visited. Flagstaff is a slow and sometimes sleepy town, but if you organize your trip, you'll find it has a lot to offer.

We went to visit during the fall season and here are some shots we snapped at the Arboretum At Flagstaff.  While there, we ate at some wonderful places and met some fascinating people.  Flagstaff was our homebase for the several trips we took over the 4 day weekend to the Grand Canyon and Walnut Canyon.

There is a lot to do and a lot to see while visiting.  My recommendation, if you go now, is to pack warmer clothes and be ready for the odd snow storm that passes through this mountainous area.  Vehicles can get stuck with the freezing temps and make it difficult to get in or out of the city.  But today's focus is on food!!! And more specifically....breakfast:)

There is a lot of charm around this town and it appears that much has not changed.  NAU or Northern Arizona University plays a big role in the city's center. 

I want to tell you about some of the food we ate there as it was phenomenal!!!  I'm serious!  Chilaquiles are delicious and you won't find a better Mexican breakfast treat in the state except for Martannes.   My body will sometimes go into shock if I don't have this delicious Mexican meal.  Imagine.  Tortilla strips in a red or green sauce.  With eggs.  And maybe refried beans.  Or chicken. Fried together over an open stove in a frying pan. Perfection my friends....perfection.

I highly recommend this gem in Flagstaff and I promise that you won't be disappointed.  Ask for chilaquiles(cheel-ah-ki-lays). If you've never had them, you need to order a plate.  If you are a beginner, start with the red sauce and don't add any meat because it's a lot of food.....unless you have a large appetite.  If you like an adventure and don't mind a bit of spice, try the green sauce...my personal favorite.  I'll admit, it took me years to get to that place, but once you go green, you'll never go back to the red:)

Martannes is located downtown Flagstaff.  This place can get busy and weekdays seem to allow for a quieter crowd....but that isn't always guaranteed:)  There is one other mention that I'd like to share with you all.  Before we left for Walnut Canyon, we stopped at another breakfast place with fresh....let me repeat that word.....FRESH biscuits and gravy!!!  I've never had this traditional southern dish before, but I am so glad I tried their fresh biscuits!!!  They were HOMEMADE and yum yum yum!!  Where is this place?   Again, the "place" is located in Flagstaff at Mike and Ronda's The Place.  Go and order one of their delicious breakfasts.  I am a food person and love all things with a home touch.  I know there is a lot about Flagstaff that we didn't see, but we did get to experience some excellent dining options before our major road trips.  If you visit Arizona, I recommend a trip to this interesting change of scenery and temps!  More tomorrow....

The Arboretum At Flagstaff

Currently we are on a photo trek through the fall season courtesy of Northern Arizona.  I'm on Fall break and that means only one thing....adventure up in the northern part of the state where fall is in high gear!  Today we spent our afternoon at the Arboretum at Flagstaff.  Things are winding down here and this place will be closing its' doors for the season on October 31st.  But for now, it's a great way to take a nice cool stroll.

My first attempt at a time lapse photo.  I'll get better.

The mission of the Arboretum at Flagstaff is to increase the understanding, appreciation, and conservation of plants and plant communities native to the Colorado Plateau.

Getting here is easy.  For directions, go to their website here.  For people who live near forest areas, this really isn't a big deal, but for us desert brats, this is really a nice escape.  Bring your jackets and get ready for some lovely fresh mountain air.

There is a dirt road leading up to the place that will make you want to go to the bathroom once you get there....and there isn't a lot of signage leading up to the place, so keep following the bumpy dirt road.  They'll be a sign one mile before the entrance.  Admission is 7 dollars inside the gift shop.

This place is full of Ponderosas.  Guided tours are offered from April to October at 11 AM, 1 PM, and 3 PM each day.  It opens at 9 AM and closes at 5 PM.

There are a lot of trails and gardens to check out so bring a good pair of shoes to walk the cedar and rocky paths. As you can imagine, most of the plants are in decline this time of year as the colder weather hits.  If you go now,  don't expect much in the way of flowering bushes.  However, the fall colors are gorgeous.

Pick a path and meander at your own pace.  More tomorrow.

Water Antics

Two cameras; two people on the same hike......and two different takes on life.  Here are some cool shots from our latest adventure today in Flagstaff! I love fall break!