36th wedding anniversary (Winslow/Flagstaff)

PJ and I repeated one of our favorite trips in observance of our 36th wedding anniversary - probably the third time we've done pretty much this exact loop?  It will be repeated.  Here's what we did:

"waterfall" atop Tonto Natural Bridge

Hit the road after breakfast on Saturday, May 28; quite a bit of traffic in and around Payson as it is Memorial Day weekend.  We proceed up to the Tonto Natural Bridge state park - lovely weather - we wander beneath the waterfall, scramble over all the slippery rocks, hike all the way through the creek area per usual (my ageless wife doing fine throughout) - a unique spot.  We drive onto That Brewery up in Pine - the place is packed but we end up with very fine outdoor seating and enjoy the food and beverages.

Where else would one wander in Winslow?  (Saturday afternoon)

Onto Winslow and we check into Mary Colter's marvelous La Posada Hotel.  Got our same room looking over the railroad tracks to the south.  We are rather obsessed with this hotel, and if anything we liked it more than previously.  We wander around town a bit but mostly relax; loved our dinner at the Turquoise Room.

Pretty sure we won't find "Piki Bread" elsewhere.

Endless whimsical touches; these two brayers are among my favorites.

Sunday, May 29 - three amazing meals at the Turquoise Room - not to be missed, they do a great job with all three menus.  After late/leisurely breakfast we drive up to the Hopi Reservation - we love the look of this countryside - ran into a guy in a shop that we think will be a useful contact point for future trips there.  Made it back for late lunch - one of our favorite meals of all.  Again did quite a bit of walking around the area before dinner.

One of the lovely common areas at La Posada.

Meteor Crater is a big hole in the ground.

Monday, May 30 - breakfast at the Turquoise Room, we were sorry it was our last meal there for this trip.  Eventually we check out.  Weather continuing favorable - not all that hot and not windy at all - so we take a flyer on "Meteor Crater" - which we've managed to drive past dozens of times without any strong inkling of stopping.  But it's right off I-40.  Interesting enough, but I'd say one visit will be plenty.  On into Flagstaff; early check-in; lunch at McMillan.  We wander around town per usual; stop at Historic; back to hotel eventually.  Dinner at Tinderbox.

This shot gives a little better perspective on the hole. [Meteor Crater postscript below.]

Tuesday, May 31 - breakfast - amazing - at Martanne's.  Perfect weather.  Which we take advantage of via a quite-nice hike south of town - nice, and overdue, to get out of town a bit.  Back for lunch at Criollo; then return to Phoenix where we have dinner later on.

Flagstaff-area hiking speaks for itself.

Hard to beat this stuff, another excellent anniversary observance with my pal.

Breakfast at Martanne's ( as always)

Flying Phoenix - Minneapolis 17 days after visiting Meteor Crater
(first time seeing it from ground level, now from the air).