Saturday 1st December- Back on the road again

We had originally booked four nights at the Legacy Golf Resort at Phoenix but as we enjoyed it so much we added another day and and a result would not now be stopping in Sedona overnight.

We have about 320 miles to cover today and we plan stops in Cottonwood and Sedona. The roads out of Phoenix were quite busy and we used the interstates to get going and eventually cam to the turn off for Cottonwood, We arrived first in the new part of town, just like any other US City sprawling malls and gas stations,and then followed signs to the Historic part of town. Within a few minutes we noticed the hundreds of people that had come to welcome us, they were lining the streets with their chairs and food and drink and we though what is really going on. It turns out to be a Christmas parade that will start at 11.00 and finish around four and will travel several miles right through the middle of the old town. Damn. So we were able to take a quick walk, have a coffee and then get back in the car and followed the Police diversions which sent us in the wrong direction but finally we made it back to correct roads. It was a shame as the town looked very nice  and worth a visit but we could not take the risk if being hemmed in.

We arrived in Sedona which is a beautiful town which unfortunately has become a major tourist attraction and holiday destination. The saying goes 'That God designed the world and lives in Sedona', and you can understand why with the fantastic mountains surrounding the town. We were planning to have lunch there but as they were wanting a merer US 15.00 for a basic hamburger we said no carried on walking and eventually left town around 2pm after Jennifer had bought a new cowboy hat.
After a while we arrived in Flagstaff after a rather nice drive through the mountains and then a Quiznos sandwich place and the food was excellent.
After locating an ATM we then left and headed north in the direction of the Grand Canyon but after two hours turned off toward a place called Kayenta where we are booked tonight at the Hampton Hotel for two nights. It was getting dark at 5 pm and that slowed us down a bit but eventually checked in around 6 pm.
It is unusual for a Hampton Inn to have a restaurant but this one does and although the service was a little slow the food was good. In this Navajo controlled area their is no alcohol allowed at all and if the locals get caught the punishment is severe to say the least. If they find booze in your car they confiscate the car or if they find some in your house they then evict you and confiscate the building , boy this is tough.
Tomorrow afternoon we have booked a tour in a 4x4 in Monument Valley rather than risk damaging the hire car. The roads are dirt roads with lots of holes and bumps and the last thing we need is a broken car, miles from anywhere.
Anyway a nice day but just a little tiring