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From the Desert to the Mountains The second edition of the Roadrunner brought out a dozen enthusiasts for the three days of cruising. A later start let us enjoy lunch in Globe before driving Salt River Canyon and on to our overnight 'camp' at the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook. Day two was east, then south to the White Mountains and down Old Highway 666 (aka the Devils Highway) and its many miles of twisties. We finished the day in Silver City, New Mexico. Our drive back to Tucson was roundabout heading south through New Mexico to Douglas, Arizona -- then a lunch stop in quaint and scenic Bisbee. After our farewell lunch it was home by way of Sonoita to Tucson.
For the 2011 edition the Roadrunner expanded to a four day event to have more time to enjoy a few new places and a couple of shorter driving days while still getting in a 1000 mile sojourn. The first day took us to Winslow after a lunch break in Mesa. We stayed at the historic La Posada, a Fred Harvey Hotel from the golden age of rail travel. Day two took us on a road tour of the Hopi and Navajo Nations with an evening stop in Chinle. Day three we traveled beautiful Canyon de Chelly in Jeeps with Navajo guides. Our last night was a return to the WigWams of Holbrook. The farewell lunch was a Mexican meal in Globe.  | Our first Roadrunner drive drew only three cars but that was enough to prove the concept and leave us wanting more. The day began early with a breakfast stop in Gila Bend, then a drive through Prescott and Jerome and into Flagstaff for a two-night stay at Little America. The middle day was spent at the Grand Canyon with our return to Flag taking us through Wupatki and Sunset Crater National Monuments. The drive home was through the Coconino and Tonto National Forests with a farewell lunch at Irene's in Globe.
For the third Roadrunner our group of twelve travelled north by northwest across Arizona. The morning drive was along the Gila River on old US80 and through the desert to lunch in Wickenburg. An afternoon run on the Joshua Tree Forest Parkway took us to Kingman and our overnight accomodations in Laughlin, Nevada. Our middle day was a tour of old Route 66, following the longest remaining section of the Mother Road from the Nevada border to Seligman, Arizona. The route home came south though Nevada and California, crossing the Colorado near Parker dam. Our farewell lunch was at the kitchy Outer Limits Coffee Shop (replete with flying saucer) in Gila Bend.
 The 2012 Roadrunner saw new roads & towns as we headed west through the Tohono O'Odham Nation and Ajo to lunch at the strange and wonderful Outer Limits Coffee Shop in Gila Bend. Our overnight was in Prescott. Day 2 was a drive to the Grand Canyon for seeing, hiking and enjoying a get together in the historic Buckey O'Neill cabin on the rim. Day 3 we drove to Camp Verde for an afternoon on the Verde Canyon Railway enjoying fall color and spectacular scenery along the old railroad. Our overnight was at Cliff Castle Casino with a memorable meal & birthday celebration. The return trip concluded with a Mexican lunch at Guayo's on the Trail near Globe. |
