Day one travel notes- today we left from Orange CA final
destination to be in Battle Creek Michigan on Thursday January 3, 2019.
Today’s route destination from Orange, CA to Holbrook Arizona. Google Mapping recommended east and northeast
through Payson, taking 77 and 377. Tonto National Forest was beautiful. There
are impressive Saguaro Cactus, and much more mountain route than I anticipated.
Payson is about 5000 ft. The drive would have been nicer closer to the spring
equinox with a bit more hours of daylight. By the time we arrived in Payson the
sun was setting. From Payson to Holbrook was about 2.5 hours in pitch black.
The temperatures dropped quickly and more as we continued North. At Holbrook,
8:30 pm it was already 26 degrees (above zero). This would be a great sports car
or motorcycle drive with the narrow two lane highway and only occasional
passing lanes. With the 26 foot UHaul and Toyota on the tow dolly in the dark, it was not the most enjoyable
part of the journey for beauty. It did fill me with a deep sense of awe and
wonder… as in “I wonder what this would look like in daylight? What has God created
here?” It’s a place I would enjoy returning to with more time to explore.
Day 2- crossing from Arizona to New Mexizo-We had some snow to contend with
New Mexico Truck Stop- 
****Blogger's note: Late publication of the entry due to life happenings. and Later addition of photos- because sometimes you just can't get everything done when you are responding to the needs of the present. -*April 15, 2023+
