AZPCA Fall Colours Tour

FLAGSTAFF, a Veritable Cornucopia of Colours by Gregg and Ali Bull

Day 1 (Our adventure begins)

Having not experienced fall colours for the past few years my wife and I were very much looking forward

to this drive.We met up at Tramonto Marketplace and this being a mid-week drive we were surprised how many people turned out.

Our drive organizers, Rook and Debbie, had once again mapped out an absolutely EPIC driving adventure. The drive really came to life once we left Hwy. 17 and headed towards Sedona on AZ-179 N, the road was a mixture of curves and roundabouts, Rook said he counted 8…I think he gave up counting after 8 (LOL).

We next ventured onto AZ-89A N, this is where the curves and the scenery made for a breathtaking experience.

We briefly stopped due to construction but it gave the groups a chance to stretch their legs and have a chat. Once the traffic lights gave us the go ahead we were off for a spirited drive along the picture perfect AZ-89A.

After all those curves and scenery we had earned a welldeserved lunchbreak, bring on the Grand Canyon Brewery. The lunch was a buffet style meal complete with AZPCA favourites such as braised short ribs and smoked brisket.

Once we were all replete we waddled off to the Riordan Mansion, right smack dap in the centre of the NAU campus. This is a true Arizona gem of a place with a great story attached to it, it has been meticulously maintained and the State Rangers do an amazing job of both guiding you throughout the property as well as telling a wonderful story of its history.

Once we had finished the tour we headed out to our accommodations at the Little America Hotel, this place was renovated a number of years ago and what an amazing job they did, we would go back in a heartbeat.

A number of us got together for drinks at the Silver Pine Bar & Restaurant, the food was surprisingly good and a few of us actually skipped going out for dinner and instead spent the rest of the evening in the bar area.