Weather permitting, we were next planning to head out for a short week of camping in the Kofa Wildlife Refuge. Unfortunately, the weather gods did not cooperate. We had been dealing with strong winds for this entire trip and it didn’t let up . Rather than bail, we decided to endure one more night in a motel room (real bed, TV, in-room coffee and flush toilet 15 feet away) and hope tomorrow would offer a break from the breeze.
We awoke to find the wind is refusing to abate. After careful consultation with our alter egos, we did the unthinkable and whimped out. Instead of the hills, we set off for home, gazing at the Kofa Mountains as we blew past on our way north. We’ll make another attempt to camp here, we promised ourselves, sometime in the fall.
We had a motel reservation in Prescott. As we headed in that direction, we were greeted with snowfall.
Come morning, cars in the motel parking lot were blanketed with an inch or so of the white stuff.
We drove through more snowfall on our way through the mountains as we headed in the direction of home.
Our final night on the road would be spent at La Posada Hotel in Winslow.
The hotel was designed by Mary Colter for the Santa Fe Railway, and while a bit pricey, it’s become a favorite of ours.
The rooms are beautiful…
…with classic Southwest touches.
For us train buffs, tracks run by the back of the hotel, which also serves as the local Amtrak depot. We didn’t see the Amtrak train (it was probably late), but we did catch several freight trains rumbling by.
Inside the hotel, the “somewhat unusual”interesting” paintings by contemporary artist and La Posada owner Tina Mion grace galleries…
…and there’s a museum with train displays and artifacts…
…plus world’s largest (26 feet by 36 feet) Navajo rug.
The Turquoise Room, the hotel’s restaurant, offers delicious cocktails, which of course we sampled…
…plus dinner, which for me featured a gourmet steak (yes, there’s a filet mignon hidden in there).
At night in the hotel lobby, classical guitarist Khent Anantakai plays tunes and tells tales about his life . We now own both of his albums.
Come morning, we stuffed luggage into the truck and headed to the Turquoise Room for breakfast where I enjoyed coffee and a bowl of Chorizo Breakfast Hash. Very tasty.
Then it was off across the Navajo Reservation…
and on to home.
