The Coconino sun. (Flagstaff, Ariz.) 1898-1978, 1915-10-01
By MARK DUNBAR

or beach resorts of California when
the SUMNER heat commences at home
is q question that has long caused the
writer to wonder. Now after brief,
and all too brief visit to Flagstaff and
Arizona's summer paradise the ques-
ton is one lat appears to be un.
answerablG.
California has rather doubtful at
traction hat, since January first offers
an appeal to a certain class of Ari-
zona's citizens-that is booze. To
those people who go on vacations in
order that they may soak their hides
full of booze, we say, by all means go
to California. You will find many OF
your kind over in the Golden state.
But to those people who seek climate
and scenery, who go on vacations to
enjoy themselves and build themselves
up for a strenuous winter, we say by
all means, stay in Arizona. There is
not part of northern Arizona that
does not offer delightful summer
climate while many sections of the
north have the added advantage of
splendid scenery. In the latter class
we think Flagstaff stands at the head,
not only of all other Arizona cities,
but of any place in the entire United
States. Where town in another state
offers the tourist one wonder of ma
ture, Flagstaff offers dozen and in
addition boasts of summer climate
that cannot be bettered any place on
this continent.
That wonder of all wonders, the
Grand Canyon of the Colorado river,
is but pleasant days drive from
Flagstaff and is the star attraction in
the line of scenic beauties. But where
any other part of the country would
sit back in self satisfied manner and
point with pride to this one work of
nature, Flagstaff permits the visitor
to drop back to earth afer visiting the
Canyon, and then Immediately begins
pointing out dozen other remarkable
evidences Of the Creators work.
Over one of the most beautiful
scenic highways in the United States
the visitor can journey by auto from
Flagstaff to Grand Canyon. The road
goes through beautiful pine forest
by way Of the cave dwellings,. Sun
set mountain, an extinct volcano, by
the San Francisco peaks, by frey.
mountain and by dozens of other less
er attractions to the Canyon. One
Of the peculiar features of the trip is
that frey mountain, which when
viewed in the morning resembles
sheet Of Of ivid flame, is but a drab,
ordinary looking little hill when seen
in the afternoon. Likewise, on the
outward trip, when crossing the di-
vide one can look across a forty-mile
stretch Of country and see the painted
desert, but it is very ordinary scene
indeed that encounters the tourist
eye. But on the return trip when the
afternoon sun strikes the colored
sands, it is painted in all its glory
and offers view that one never tires
of. To a certain extent the painted
desert reminded me Of a chorus girl
A chorus bird is very ordinary look
ing thing indeed in the daylight
hours, but after the sun sets and the
lights are turned on she comes out in
all her war paint and is wonderful
thing to behold. In the morning hours
the painted desert isn't dolled up for
visitors, but in the afternoon, after
quiet mornings rest, she looms up
like lighthouse. The trip by auto
from Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon
can be made easily in four hours. That
is the average time. Purdy Billiard
could easily make the round trip in
two days. w. X. James would re-
quire at least week, while Charley
Akers, Vic Cooper, Guy Nichols and
some Of our speed fiends would make
the round trip before luncheon. Com
mon ordinary drivers like the most of
US would leave Flagstaff in the morn
ing at seven o'clock and get our first
view Of the Canyon at Grand View
about eleven. Stop at Grand View by
all means, gaze long and carefully at
The Canyon, go through Berry's curio
room and then proceed to Balanced
Rock, some five miles further on. Here
smother good view Of the Canyon can
be had, and in addition several dandy |
luncheon places are discovered. Spread
your lunch under the pines at this
point and about half after twelve pro-
iced to Ell Tovar. Here another won
ierful view Of the Canyon can be had.
Also while here take a good look at !
he splendid FL Tovar hotel, main
aimed at the Canyon by the Santa Fe.