The Seven Day Drive from Phoenix, AZ to Reno, NV; the Adventure of Karol, Martin and Kimble

In the year 2000, on July 26^th, at the age of 65, we lost a great man; my father, Dale B. McClellan.  In his later years with my mother, Karol, they had grand plans to spend a great deal of time in the southwest playing golf and enjoying their retirement together.  They wanted to become “Snowbirds” as they are known from here in Reno, Nevada, their primary home.  Wintering in the warmth so their joys of golf, biking, hiking, fishing and travel could continue year-round.

 

In 2001/2002, my mother decided that she, going it alone would endeavor to experience all the plans that she and father had made, however, with one caveat, she would endeavor to accomplish this while implementing twice the adventure; in honor of dad.  If ever there was a woman that could pull this off, it was mom.  Those that know her and are reading this, know exactly what I mean.
 

Here we are almost two decades later and it is time to bring her home at the age of 85, however, not for the reasons one may think.   She is still going strong and as you read further, you will see that this spirited and adventurous woman, is still a force to recon with and not easily paced.  Needing to bring some final belongings back here to Reno along with her vehicle, my wife and I decided to take a week and see some of the sights we all, mom, Kimble and myself, have shared over our lifetimes.  It would be quite an incredible week!  

Beginning in Phoenix on 28 April, 2019 where mom met Kim and I at the Phoenix airport, the 1079 mile adventure ensued!  The first challenge was to somehow connect at PHX and considering all the challenges an airport of this size can create, she found us with little problem.  We loaded up the Murano and by 11am we headed north toward Sedona.

Our Route during our 7-day Adventure

Really, our adventure began at 6am in Reno as Kim and I boarded a Southwest flight to Phoenix and possibly could have included Phoenix itself, we were motivated to get north but first we had to get some supplies (Balvenie Scotch) and grab a quick bite of breakfast at the 5 and Diner and then we headed out of Phoenix.  

My blog will be primarily a photo essay but I will highlight each destination and the reason we chose these places and highways.

Sedona, Arizona

Sedona has great landscapes, golf courses, art galleries, restaurants and hiking trails.  Mom and dad spent many a day in the area golfing and hiking and Kim and I had only been here once - passing through - so this seemed like a logical first stop.  My brother and I try to play golf with mom a couple times a year, always on Mothers Day, but this trip would give us a great opportunity to play several rounds of golf, preparing me for the upcoming Mothers Day tradition, so Sedona it is; hiking, golf and general sightseeing were on the menu...

Hiking the trail up to Cathedral Rock

Cathedral Rock

.

Sedona and Oak Creek from atop Cathedral Rock

Unfortunately, our Monday golf adventure (Day-2 in the Sedona area) was rained out but we did a few more hikes, toured up-town Sedona (tourist trap) and visited a very cool art gallery then ended the day in the hot-tub at our resort followed by dinner and cards.  Tomorrow, the trek to St. George Utah, via the northeast end of the Grand Canyon and Zion.

On the way to St. George, Utah

Albeit, not a destination, this part of our adventure warrants some literary definition.  We headed north from Sedona on HWY 89 but at a little town called Bitter Springs, AZ, we took 89A heading west as it was noted as a must see "Scenic Byway" of the USA.  So departing Sedona about 8am, we set out for what was an incredible drive...

Heading North to 89A looking in the distance at the Vermilion Cliffs State Park

The Colorado River Gorge below Lees Ferry - the beginning of the Grand Canyon

The Vermilion Cliffs National Monument

Lunch at Jacob Lake - couldn't find the lake! 

This next photo needs some backstory!  In 1968/69, my mom and dad took my brother and I on a trip from southern CA to Zion.  On the way, we stopped for lunch at a little waterhole on the side of the highway with a rope swing hanging from a large cottonwood; we ate, swang (sp) with erratic disregard for safety and swam for hours. 

Fast forward 50 years and with me at the wheel of the PRIUS, we pass a water hole on the side of HWY 89 and I immediately pull over, hang what has to be an illegal U-Turn and drive back about 500-yards, pull over and unbelievable...we are at that same water hole from 50 years ago!!!

There is still a rope swing...Amazing! (Probably not the same one?)

An Afternoon in Zion and Dinner in Springdale

Not having been to Zion is at least 15-years we hit the east entrance and were just in complete awe.  I was here in 68-69 and then back in the early 2000's but not with this level of focus and appreciation.  It was 1600 hours before we got on the canyon shuttle but had a blast until about 8pm ending our day at Porters Smokehouse and Grill - they only have asparagus...yuck!

A great day of visual "eye-candy" all the way...off to dinner....Tomorrow? St. George, Utah

St. George, Utah:
A day at the Sand Hollow Golf Resort...

and a visit with Kim's Aunt and Uncle

After Zion, we parked at the Holiday Inn Express for a couple of nights to enjoy the St. George area.  Another place that mom and dad spent time golfing and enjoying life but St. George also has another significant reason for our visit, Kimble's Aunt Donna and Uncle Spud (her mothers older sister) live here and so this day the three of us parted ways; Kim dropped Karol and I off at the Sand Hollow Golf Resort and then went and spent a great day with her Aunt and Uncle which she has not seen for over 15 years!

An absolutely gorgeous - and intimidating - course...  Great shot mom!!

My drive did not land on anything green!

My ball frequently found spots like this - Mom? Down the middle of the fairway!!!

An honor to play such a classy game with this incredible lady! 
85 and still knocking it straight down the fairway!
So proud of my mom!  

This trip just keeps getting better and there is much more in store for the next 4 days!  I dare you to keep reading...

Nevada's Valley of Fire and Ash Meadows

So here is a twist.  As we departed St. George, I had a surprise in store for both Kim and mom; they kind of wondered why I rushed them out of the palatial HIE!  We were headed to the Valley of Fire State Park just north of Las Vegas.  The plan was to spend the afternoon at Ash Meadows (story to follow) but this is the #1 site in Nevada to see (Tahoe is #1 for California- figures!) so I could not pass it up and it was on the way!

ENOUGH SAID.  YOU SHOULD VISIT THIS INCREDIBLE PARK AND PLAN TO SPEND AT LEAST A DAY! 

Around 1100 hrs we continued our trek west heading for Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge.  Now this holds a very special meaning for both mom and I as in 1960, before I was born, they would go camping here with friends.  Ash Meadows is an area of hydrological beauty as there are over 20 natural fresh-water springs and is the location of Devils Hole that contains the worlds only species of prehistoric pup-fish (link for your research). 

When my younger brother and I were very young, say 5 and 8, my parents took us camping in this area right next to a spring where we could swim all day long in 80+ degree F (27 C).  At that time this area was not a NWR and we could drive right to the spring.  Well, I doubt that will be the case now but who knows. 

Mom had photos.  We stopped at the visitor center.  We showed the photos to the gal at the visitor center and without hesitation she said, " that is Big Spring"!  I was blown away.  She then told us how to get there and it was a 1.75 mile walk along a dirt road.  A plan was developing. 

Ash Meadows is now highly regulated and the main sights are protected by boardwalks, fences and access to the water is prohibited so we spent this afternoon just walking around the "tourist" sites and planned the next morning, yes...early again!.. to make the walk to Big Spring.  I was so excited about this as this place is very vivid in my memory! 

Big Spring - We swam here in the 60's and it is still as clear today as it was then!  

A memory we both shared some 50 years ago! 

Mom and Kim hiking in to the car - 85 years young and just did a 3.5 mile walk! 
Her endurance never ceases to amaze me! 

Dale B. McClellan 1960     Martin M. McClellan 2019
A photo recreation at Big Spring

Death Valley, the journey to Bishop, California - Our Last Stop!

After reminiscing and enjoying the beauty of Ash Meadows, we headed to Bishop, CA where another surprise lay in store for mom.  Exiting Ash Meadows, we headed to Death Valley Junction, home of the Amargosa Valley Opera House where mom says we visited in the late 60's but I have no recollection - must have been smoking weed (sarcasm...I was only 7 or 8).  It was closed so we hit HWY 190 and entered Death Valley. 

DO NOT run out of gas here!
Did we make a wrong turn?  We in Europe?

Quit playing on the Highway! 

As we exited the 500 feet (151 M) below sea level base of Death Valley, we began our climb toward the base of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in the Owens Valley but first we stopped at Panamint Springs (elevation 1926 ft/584m) for lunch right on HWY 190 and then headed toward Bishop via HWY 395 - a road we know all so well. 

At the end of HWY 190.
Our visual joy along this journey continued! 
Mt. Whitney, highest peak in the lower 48
14500 ft / 4394 m

Bishop California -  203 miles remaining! 

The drive from Ash Meadows through Death Valley and into the Owens Valley of California was incredible as was the last 876 miles; we were not disappointed with any of our road time.  But it was nice to be close to home.  Bishop hold no real memorable significance for any of us except that over the past 50 years we probably have passed through this town, the largest in the Owens Valley, 100 times traveling south toward the beaches of Southern California.  However, it does have a golf course and was a perfect place to have my brother, Brad and his son, Tristan meet us as a surprise for Mom.  We landed in Bishop on May 3 and Brad's birthday was on 2 May and mom was sad that she would have to miss it.  Not in my plan!  Brad, Tristan, Kimble, Mom and I had a great birthday dinner for Brad at the Whiskey Creek Restaurant and then hit the links Saturday morning.

The Foursome as Kimble walked and laughed at the hilarity of a McClellan golf outing!

It was a great adventure.  The scenery in our United States never stops impressing.  We tried to average about 3-4 hours per day in the car and stop at all the scenic viewpoints along the way.  We missed some but as you can see...we hit the major ones and enjoyed this trip to its fullest.