5th Annual
Arizona Roadrunner
Motoring Tour
October 18, 19, 20, & 21, 2012
A 'No-Frills' driving tour around Arizona
for Vintage (pre-1980) British Motorcars
Four days of scenic cruising
from the Desert to the Canyon
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What -- A 'No-Frills' driving tour around Arizona with a couple of side events along the way. Suggested route will cover about 900 miles over the course of four days.
When -- Thursday, October 18th is the start date for the tour. Return is Sunday, October 21st.
Where -- We'll leave from the Red Hills Visitors Center of Saguaro National Park West at 8:30 am.
If you are late we don't wait. Drivers meeting at 8:15am. Start at 8:30am. If you arrive at 8:35 we will be gone.
Traveling by way of Why (why?) and Ajo (why not?) our lunch stop will be the memorable Outer Limits Coffee Shop at the Space Age Lodge in Gila Bend. After lunch we'll drive north around Wickenburg to our Day 1 overnight stay in Prescott-- a total of 326 miles.
Now is the time to make your room reservations. Suggested lodging for October 18 is the Antelope Hills Inn. The phone number for reservations is 928-778-6000. Mention 'Arizona Roadrunner' for a $50 rate. You may also book on line at Antelope Hills Inn. Please put 'Arizona Roadrunner' in the Special Instructions section of your reservation. Cancellation policy is 24 hours.
The suggested Day 2 drive runs up through Ash Fork, Williams and the Kaibab National Forest ending at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Total for the day will be about 118 miles.
Day 2 (October 19) lodging will be in Grand Canyon National Park. There are many lodging choices though the recommended rooms for Roadrunners are the cabins of the Bright Angel Lodge. Reservations can be made here: Xanterra Parks & Resorts or by calling 1-888-297-2757. Cancellation policy is 48 hours. Update: Bright Angel Cabins are likely sold out so you will need to reserve at other nearby lodging such as El Tovar, Thunderbird or Maswik. Contact Joe for more info.
The morning of Day 3 will have us driving south thru Flagstaff and by some twisty roads to Clarkdale where we'll have our Mittagessen at an Oktoberfest before boarding the Verde Canyon Railroad. Get your railroad tickets by calling: 1-800-293-7245. When reserving mention you are booking into Confirmation Number 307-872. This will get you a $50 rate and assure your ticket seats you with our group. They would also like you to mention any discount you are eligible for (e.g. over-65, AAA, ex-military, etc) though I'm not exactly sure why. Cancellation policy is 48 hours.
After the 4-hour train ride we'll drive over to Camp Verde (30 minutes) and check into the Lodge at Cliff Castle Casino. Reserve there by calling 1-800-524-6343. Mention 'Arizona Roadrunner' &/or Group Code AZRR10 and you should get the $89.95 rate and be housed with the group. Total for Day 3 is about 167 miles.
On Sunday we'll return to Tucson via Payson and Roosevelt Lake. Along the way we'll stop for our traditional farewell Mexican lunch in Globe, this year at Guayo's on the Trail on Highway 188. Total for Day 4 is about 250+ miles depending on where you live in Tucson.
You may want to have an Arizona map (hopefully not 45 years old), snack items and soft drinks or water. Lunch stops will be made though you are welcome to pack a lunch if you prefer. A cell phone and AAA card never come amiss if you have them.
An important note: Joe Lucas needs to know if you are planning to attend. This is still a low-key, disorganized event but as a practical matter having some idea who and how many will be there makes it easier to plan meal stops, gas stops, etc. So if you are planning to attend please drop Joe an email at: joe.arizona.roadrunner@gmail.com.
The other reason for asking to be notified of your intent to drive is that the Roadrunner will be limited to 12 cars to assure that our casual approach to driving, parking and dining doesn't become a logistic nightmare.
No other advance arrangements have been made. This is a no-frills event. You are responsible for your own room arrangements, your own dining arrangements and your own car.
Vintage (pre-1980) British Vehicles Only, Please
