And here we are today, Day 5 for us in Arizona.
MapQuest has been my friend on this trip so far. (Sorry Terry, but I’ve compared both and have found their driving directions are so much better than Google Maps.)
On all maps you get this disclaimer:
These directions are informational only. No representation is made or warranty given as to their content, road conditions or route usability or expeditiousness.
Well so far we’ve had two smoky examples of what can delay and detour you:
- A rental car with brakes that started burning,
- and now the Arizona wildfires.
Today we’re due to leave Prescott for Phoenix, and the Cave Creek fire is right in our path. It will be a day of adventure. However we are optimistic: When we switched out the rental car with Avis they gave us a new Cadillac to compensate. Nice. So we are anticipating that our longer scenic route away from the fire will be a scenic one, and we’re not in a rush (thus I write this while the family sleeps in.)
However my heart goes out to those who have already lost their homes, and for the loss of this beautiful countryside. According to CNN there are over 20 wildfires burning right now in California, Nevada and Arizona. Over 30,000 acres have been ravaged by this Cave Creek fire alone.
When I think of this beautiful forest preserve that has cradled us this week, and the Arizona people who have been our kind hosts I am very saddened.
Be safe, Rosa. The power of fire to create and destroy is awe-inspiring.
Mahalo nui Chris for your caring thoughts. The fire didn’t hamper our visit or plans at all, other than understandably obliterating and view of the normal skyline. If it had been my first visit to Scottsdale I would’ve thought there were no tall buildings in Phoenix at all …
It was hard not to remain glued to CNN and the other local coverage on the tube about the fires, and as I’d said before, it was heart-wrenching to watch someone’s home go up in flames. It made our own complaints about the 108-111 degree oppressive heat in Scottsdale very petty, and we all became much more tolerant, counting our own blessings instead.
Rosa