We made this trip by motorcycle, one of our favorite ways to sightsee. But your chosen mode of transportation is not important. This experience will be unique no matter how you get there. It's just that kind of place. Living in Phoenix, we generally begin spring and summer road trips after sundown.
Daytime temperatures reach well above the century mark in our lower desert elevations.
And night riding has the added advantage of offering spectacular stellar shows. The desert night skies are world renowned for star gazing. Our adventure tour began around 7 p.m. as we headed our BMW motorcycle east toward the town of Globe, our first night's stop 88 miles down U.S. 60. The sun shone brightly the next morning. With 200 miles in front of us, we were grateful to begin in the cooler temperatures that the 3,500 foot elevation provided.