Wandering Wallers: Arizona: Snow to desert

After the long drive (500km)from Joshua Tree National Park to Flagstaff (7000ft), we enjoyed two days snowboarding at Arizona Snowbowl. It wasn’t the fastest drive up to 9000ft, but slow and steady was fine, just add gas to the V10 at a rate no one would want to calculate. Luckily we scored two beautiful days, the day we arrived in Flagstaff was windy+++. Symi learnt quickly helped by a four hour lesson day 1, by day two she was doing short chairlift runs. By day 2 Fiona had stopped bruising her behind. Rob enjoyed some long blue runs loving the ‘new’ snowboard, awesome control and none of the catching edges of the old school boards (thanks Kose).

Huckaby: views to die for, looking forwards

After two days we have travelled 30 miles and 3000ft ‘down’ the road to Sedona. Much warmer than the -7ᵒC minimums that we experienced at Flagstaff. Rob (like a rat up a drainpipe) quickly hit the bike shop to get a map and riding advice, and then some local trails. The possibilities here make Rotorua look small! There are also some classic trails to ride but some come with the warning of ‘beyond advanced’ and double black rating (gulp). Might be working up to that. This am rode from the RV Park (Rancho) up a short road climb to the black diamond rated Huckaby trail, beautiful views and singletrack followed by dodgy river crossing by boulder hopping. Then followed a brutal climb up to the Midgley Bridge. Payback was a scenic ride across the Jim Thompson trail then down grand central (oh yeah, and the other choices were plentiful) to town and coffee with Fiona and Symi.