Day 10
4-30-10
Flagstaff
I woke up this morning rather confused. I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to be riding or lying as I was in comfort, warm and safe. But as all mornings do come so does nature, and when she beckons one must answer. So up I am, look around realize there is no coffee pot in the room. So I slip on my clothing, sprinkle some water on my eyes and set off to the office for coffee. I returned to my room juggling three cups in my hand and hope without incident I will drink three cups. I sit a spell and watch the news. I can’t find a decent weather channel, so I have to listen to all of the rhetoric that is going on in Arizona before finding out today is going to be cold with more snow. The laundry gets done and the pangs of hunger awaken this deadened body. So with a shower, brushed teeth, hair combed I set out across the street (with my clothes on by the way) to the Galaxy Diner for breakfast. With me is this trusty pad book and literature. The diner is on Route 66 with the décor of the fifties. The walls adorned with movie stars of the era when Route 66 was vibrant with life. In the center is an oval fountain counter with round red padded vinyl no back swivel seats. I request a booth to the back and am graciously escorted past a dozen tables with famished patrons gorging themselves on biscuits and gravy, French toast, waffles and, of course, the regular eggs and potatoes. It all looked good, causing confusion as to what I really wanted to eat. In the end, I settled for eggs and potatoes and a side order of cottage cheese. I arrived at 9:00 am and leave at 3:00 pm. What, you might ask, was I doing in a diner for six solid hours? Well, I had to read the literature I obtained from the Visitor’s Center and selected what would be of interest to you, my captive audience. You are captive, aren’t you? Do not delete. Much of what I did you should have already received. This journal is of the short time I had left here in Flagstaff after my six hours in the Galaxy. The staff was very gracious in allowing me to sit undisturbed, my coffee and water never went dry.
Arizona became American Territory in 1848. Lt. Edward Beale was sent by Congress to build a road across Northern Arizona. His correspondence with Congress tells of rich grasslands, water and timber in Flagstaff. Due to Flagstaff’s resources the Beale Road was heavily traveled by immigrants going to California. Flagstaff officially received its name on July 4, 1876, by a scouting party from Boston celebrating the Nation’s Centennial. They stripped a Ponderosa pine tree of its branches and bark and raised an American flag. When they moved on the “Flag Staff” stayed behind becoming the landmark for those who followed. And so the birth of Flagstaff. The Atlantic and Pacific Railroad opened the corridor from Albuquerque to California in 1880. Between 1880 and 1916 bicyclists were unhappy with the road conditions in the United States, and began a Good Roads Movement. This led to a Federal Act in 1916, and the creation of the system of the US Highways, one of which stretched from Maryland to California, then called The National Old Trails Highways. In 1921 a second Federal Highway Act led to the improved system and the actual designation of the highway running from Chicago to Santa Monica as Route 66.
There is a great deal of literature on famous buildings, landmarks and resources in Flagstaff. Unfortunately, Flagstaff lacks any history on important figures that had an effect on the changes of today. Flagstaff’s resources, on the other hand, have developed a strong tourism base center. Thousands of people visit Flagstaff every year to enjoy the outdoor pristine wilderness of the largest Ponderosa Pine Forest in the world. Inclusive are the San Francisco Peaks given the name in 1629 by Franciscan Friars in honor of their patron saint, St. Francis of Assisi. The highest point is Humphrey’s Peak at 12,633 feet. It is enjoyed by skiers and snowboarders alike in the winter and hiked through when the leaves of the Aspen trees change to bright gold in the fall.
Flagstaff played a major role of Apollo’s six expeditions to the moon. Flagstaff and the surrounding landmarks were a vital part of its success. These landmarks were well suited for training the astronauts in general geological field procedures. It provided a first-hand study of land forms due to volcanism as well as impact cratering like that on the moon. These landmarks include Meteor Crater, Sunset Crater, Cinder Lake and Hopi Buttes. Also, in 1894 Percival Lowell requisitioned a scout by the name of A.E. Douglass to scout the highest areas for a proposed observatory. Two years later in 1896 the specially designed Clark Telescope was installed. This telescope was responsible for the discovery of the then planet Pluto in 1930, and in 1950 Pluto’s moon Charon was discovered. (Today we have no Pluto). In the 1960s the Clark Telescope was used to the map the lunar surface in order to plan the lunar expeditions to the moon. In honor of Flagstaff’s contribution to astronomy there were two asteroids named in its honor. The first one was Asteroid 2118 for the city itself, and also one, 6582 Flagsymphony, for the world famous Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra.
I’m tired and weary now and must retire. Tomorrow will be a long ride. Winslow is 60 miles down the road. My fingers have fulfilled their duty today; my legs will fulfill theirs tomorrow, my mind controls both and my soul lives on without sorrow. Life Is Good.
Thank all of you for your support and words of encouragement. I hope I’m not boring you with trivia but this is fun. It’s hard work but fun.
Tomorrow Flagstaff to Winslow
Take care
Love ya all
Old Man Star Gazing
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