Northern Arizona: Even better than advertised

Not that it gets much mention at all, but the northern half of Arizona is about as good a road trip as you are going to find in the Southwest. There are only two detractors here: The first is the US highway construction, but you’re going to find those tax dollars going to work on most major highways in this country. The second is the desolate feeling you may get: If not backed up waiting to pass an RV or boat on a narrow road, you could go a long while without seeing anyone else. Cell phone coverage may be zero for hours at a time, so bring plenty of water and make sure your car’s in good running condition (with a good running air conditioner!); lower clearance vehicles should also take heed that many of the less-traveled roads are gravel and dirt (/mud) and may want to stay off.

Of course there is the one city with everything you’ll need to stock up around here before taking that trip: Breathtaking Flagstaff, Arizona. A college town reminiscent of Boulder, only with more of a coniferous National Forest feel surrounding it, Flagstaff is growing rapidly and the roads are more crowded than I’d like to see in a city that still maintains fewer than five zip codes and sub-10 minute commute times to anywhere in the mailing address. My stay was on the Business Loop of I-40, which out West of course means Historic Route 66. Double-tracked railroad lines behind locales of cheap lodging are a must and I enjoy them where many otherwise jocund travelers would bemoan the train noise. But it’s part of the scene, I contend!

Flagstaff for me was an opportunity to reunite with two local sports radio personalities who had split since I last visited them a year ago and were now each hosting shows of their own. I received good information and a confidence boost that I was on the right track with my own endeavors such that I may one day reach their level of involvement in local high school and college sports broadcasting. Which is to say, not wildly popular or reaching a huge audience, but I never wanted to be the next ESPN so this would be a comfortable market and career result for me should I be as fortunate. Great city, even better networking.