4/14 Zion to Flagstaff, AZ

We headed East through the park through Canyon Junction and started climbing toward the East rim to Mt. Carmel Tunnel. It's a narrow, 1.1-mile-long tunnel opened in 1930. Larger rigs require a permit to use the tunnel, because they have to stop opposing traffic. Our compact rig fits nicely, but the ranger stopped us to measure just to make sure. The vistas on both sides of the tunnel are breath-taking. The West side is a narrow canyon with towering cliffs. You emerge on the East side at eye-level with serene peaks and meadows.

Our route took us through the majestic Vermillion Cliffs and several Indian reservations before crossing the Colorado River at Glen Canyon Dam, where we had glimpses of Lake Powell - a popular houseboating destination. We arrived at our destination, Flagstaff, elevation 7,000 feet. We stayed at Fort Tuthill, an Air Force-operated recreation area that has a hotel as well as a campground. There was still scattered piles of snow in the campground and they hadn't turned on water service yet, but they did have a small bar with a happy hour. The bartender told us about a nearby Route 66 icon called "The Museum Club." A taxidermist bought federal land in the 1930s and built a huge log cabin to house his collection of trophies, Indian artifacts and curiosities. Today, it's a bar and dance club. We stopped by and found the big main room was dark. There was a single bartender and a handful of patrons. We enjoyed a draft beer and got some tips on good pizza joints in town.