• About Us
  • Contact

RV Wanderlust

Full-time Living in Our Diesel RV

  • Exploring America
    • Activities and Sights
    • Best Food in the U.S.A.
    • Campground Reviews
    • Dry Camping
  • RV Resources
    • RV Travel With Kids
    • Working on the Road
    • Keto Life
    • RV Community
  • Our RV Life
    • Lessons Learned
    • Repairs and Modifications
    • Travel Plans
    • Captain’s Log

Spontaneous Stopover in Flagstaff, AZ

March 16, 2016 by BrittanyHighland Leave a Comment

Class A Motorhome Flagstaff AZ

Snug in our site at Fort Tuthill Recreation Area in Flagstaff, AZ

We were heartbroken when we had to leave our first “real” wild camping spot in Sedona. I had been looking forward to living in the peaceful desert, on our own for a whole week, and really proving to myself that I could do it–and enjoy it!

But when our generator decided not to function, we had no choice but to pack up and find power. Especially since it was already Sunday morning, and we had to set up and be ready to work by 7 a.m. the next day.

Where We Camped in Flagstaff

Fort Tuthill Hiking Flagstaff

Eric hiking the trails behind Fort Tuthill Recreation Area

My first choice was to stay at Fort Tuthill Recreation Area, an Air Force Famcamp. But when I called for information, they said they were closed for the season. So I did some tentative research and found an independent campground in Flagstaff that had room for us.

As we were getting close, I got a call from Eric, who was leading the way in Smaug. He had found a military campground where we could stay! But wait, I told him. I called a couple of hours ago and they aren’t open. “I just got off the phone with them,” he responded. “They just decided to let people in.”

So with that weird twist of events, we landed at pine-canopied Fort Tuthill Recreation Area. It’s only nominally big rig-friendly, so navigating the sites was a bit of a heart-stopper. The site we stayed in–I believe it was #20–was really the only one that would take our 40-footer. In retrospect, we should’ve done a three-point turn to get into it. Doing what Eric did (driving around the campground and barely missing the pine trees lining the roadway) is not recommended.

But once we were in, we were in. The campground was gorgeous, and we had it to ourselves all week. We took advantage of the extensive trails leading out from the grounds during our morning walks. And when we were ready to explore farther, it was a quick 10-15 minutes into the heart of Flagstaff.

Website

What We Did in Flagstaff

We didn’t know Flagstaff was cool. Historic downtown has a ton of character; there are lots of highly rated restaurants; and outdoor enthusiasts won’t know where to start. We were in town for less than a week, so we couldn’t do the city justice. We’re definitely going back, so let us know which places you recommend for playing and eating (our two favorite things).

Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

Lava Flow Trail

Eric on the Lava Flow Trail in Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

As we were stamping our Passport in the visitor’s center, a lady walked in to ask the ranger whether Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument was “worth” visiting. At that moment, I didn’t know the answer myself. But about an hour later, in the middle of the Lava Flow Trail, I remembered that lady and felt sad because she decided not to stay.

Sunset Crater Volcano Explosion

The apocalyptic landscape following the volcano’s explosion near Flagstaff

Sunset Crater is awesome, in the truest sense of the word. The Lava Flow Trail is only a mile long, but it takes you back in time 900 years to an apocalyptic event: the explosion of a volcano. We saw upended Ponderosa Pines and navigated part of the nine-mile fissure formed in the earth. We couldn’t stop asking each other questions about what we seeing, and we couldn’t contain our amazement.

Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

The explosion left a nine-mile fissure in the earth

On our way through the park, we stopped at Painted Desert Vista to eat our picnic lunch. I’ve always loved the named “Painted Desert” because it’s so apropos.

Website

Wupatki National Monument

Wupatki Ruins Near Flagstaff AZ

Wupatki Ruins, dating back to around 1100

If you continue along the same road, you’ll enter Wupatki National Monument, which is co-located with Sunset Crater. The terrain changes within mere miles, as the trees thin and are replaced with low brush.

Wupatki Ruins Meeting Room

Though it doesn’t have a roof, archaeologists believe this area was the main meeting room for the pueblo’s residents

This national monument offers a completely different experience, with trails that take you past (and even into) pueblos dating from roughly the 1100s. The largest pueblo is Wupatki, and the rangers at the visitor’s center will give you a free self-guided tour book to enrich your visit. The booklet is brimming with interesting facts and complementary diagrams and pictures. Eric played tour guide for me and did an excellent job.

Jimmy Sallie Brewer Wupatki Ruins

My favorite part of the guide book: three park rangers used to live in this thing!

Wupatki Ruins Near Flagstaff

This pueblo, the largest in Wupatki National Monument, had more than 100 rooms

RV Wanderlust Wupatki National Monument

Website

Historic Downtown and Railroad District

We spent a couple of afternoons wandering around historic downtown and the railroad district. Not on purpose, all the restaurants and coffee shops we visited ended up being in this area. It’s just the place to be, I guess.

If you love used bookstores like me, Starlight Books (15 N. Leroux St.) has a beautifully-curated collection, with an emphasis on classic books. I picked up Sophie’s World and On the Road.

We started amassing our hiking gear in Sedona. I’ve fallen in love with this interesting way to stay fit, and Eric has been empowered by his trekking poles. By the time we got to Flagstaff, my love had done his research and was ready to pick up his first pair of hiking boots. It seemed like every other shop in the historic district was an outdoor equipment store, so he had lots of places to look.

In the end, he bought from Flagstaff’s REI. It’s hard to beat their one-year return policy, and there are locations all over that we can visit if we have a problem. REI also emphasizes social good, so it’s a company we can get behind.

Here’s a fun interactive map of the historic downtown area, so you can get your bearings.

What We Ate in Flagstaff

Toasted Owl Cafe

Toasted Owl Cafe Flagstaff AZ

Toasted Owl Cafe in Flagstaff, AZ

I loved Sunday brunch at Toasted Owl Cafe. We sat on the outdoor patio, where you won’t find matching tables, chairs or tableware. In fact, their menu states, “We at the toasted owl are proud to say that we recycle, repurpose, and up cycle. The fixtures and furniture are for sale, ask for the price.”

My tuna salad was so fresh and refreshing, with feta, onion, cucumber, apple, dried cranberries, housemade tuna salad and balsamic dressing. Eric had the BLAT: bacon, lettuce, avocado and tomato.

Tuna Salad Toasted Owl Cafe

Tuna salad at Toasted Owl

You can also get mimosas on Sundays, by the glass or pitcher. Though the glasses aren’t large, they’re only $2 each. I’m not sure what the pitchers run for, but you might want to take a friend for all that business.

12 S. Mikes Pike St. – Website

Diablo Burger

Diablo Burger Flagstaff

Lunch at Diablo Burger

Are you getting to know the differences between Eric and my food tastes? The Toasted Owl was my pick’ums. Diablo Burger was his. What is “pick’ums,” you ask? It’s a term we came up with, which eloquently describes how we take turns choosing where we’re going to eat.

Anyway, Diablo Burger was good (there’s one in Tucson, too). The beef is local, open range-raised, antibiotic-free and growth hormone-free. They recommend you order your patty medium-rare to preserve the tenderness and juiciness of the meat. But they’ll cook it any way you like. I normally do medium rare, but I took a step down to medium and was perfectly happy. Oh! And the burgers are served on English muffins.

I went with the vitamin b burger, so named because it’s filled with bacon, beet and blue cheese. Beet on a burger? You bet! Eric did the big daddy kane, with bacon, sharp cheddar, sliced pickles and Diablo Burger’s “special sauce.”

120 N. Leroux St. #112 – Website

Late for the Train

I’m always looking for that perfect local coffee shop to get my vanilla latte and work, read, journal or write a blog post. Late for the Train seems to be loved by Flagstaffians. When I found out that my dear friend Jill Seesa (Vespa and a Laptop) bought her new-to-her Class B in the parking lot, the place was endeared to me instantly.

22 East Birch Ave. – Website

Ewa’s Thai Cuisine

It was Friday. It had been a long week. We were mentally tired and ready to celebrate the weekend with a kickoff meal. We wandered into Tourist Home, but the menu didn’t call to us (though we heard good things and I’m sure it’s delicious).

Instead, Ewa’s Thai Cuisine caught our eye one block over. As we got closer, we saw a big sign for their lunch buffet. Um, it was super yummy. Everything was fresh, from the stuffed wontons at the beginning to the sweet orange slices at the end. In between, there were noodles, Pad Thai, roasted vegetables, fried rice and more. I’d like to go back. Now.

110 S. San Franzisco St. – Website

Steep Leaf

Steep Leaf Flagstaff AZ

With my Earl Grey hot chocolate at Steep Leaf

My third time walking past Steep Leaf, I had to go in. They had a marquee at the window that listed specialty hot chocolates made with tea, and they all looked awesome. On one side of the shop is a bar with seating, where hot drinks are made fresh and served. There’s also Middle Eastern-style seating at the windows with large, colorful pillows and low tables.

The rest of the space is filled with loose leaf tea and related items for sale. Actually, not all the items are related to tea. There are also high-cut socks and prints of whimsical animals. But it’s all fun to look at.

1 E. Aspen – Website

-B

Filed Under: Activities and Sights, Exploring America, Food We Found Tagged With: arizona, flagstaff

Help Us Write Fulltime!

If everyone gave $1, we could write about our travel experiences fulltime! (There are other fun options on the dropdown, too.)

Subscribe to Our Awesome Weekly Email

 

Join Our Adventures

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

RV Wanderlust Upcoming Stops

May 2-8: Sedona, AZ
May 9-15: Flagstaff, AZ
May 16-19: Overland Expo West, Flagstaff
May 25-26: Los Angeles, CA
June: San Jose, CA
Labor Day: Ontario, Canada
Early September: Buffalo, NY
September-October: Down eastern seaboard
November: Orlando, FL
Christmas: central Texas

Let us know if we’ll be in your neck of the woods.

Like us on Facebook!

Latest Tweets

  • https://t.co/hRcJBC2Mkc Making room for a Toddler in an RV. ❤️ Insight from someone who travels fulltime with a li… https://t.co/hRoMlDhAwO November 20, 2019 1:36 pm
  • Thanks @MidlandUSA for becoming our latest gear sponsor. We will definitely use this daily. #fulltimetravel… https://t.co/b0e4MmVWPF October 31, 2019 4:15 pm
  • We’ll be speaking and presenting this weekend at @OverlandExpo East under our alter ego @JeepsiesBlog Let us know… https://t.co/n7QXk9hGca October 8, 2019 1:47 pm
  • Join @RVWanderlust on Twitter!

Travel Map: 2014-2018

States We’ve Visited By RV

Map of where RV Wanderlust has been

First Time Here? Get to Know Us!

Eric and Brittany Highland

About Us

Welcome to RV Wanderlust! We're Eric and Brittany Highland and we're on a pretty amazing adventure. As of 2019, we're starting our sixth year as fulltime RVers and we've been transparently documenting the journey all along the way. In December 2016 we … Keep reading

Join Our Adventures

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Search Our Blog

Legal Stuff

Recent Posts

  • Making Room for a Toddler in an RV
  • 3 Unforgettable 2-Mile Hikes in Yosemite
  • 2018 in Review: Stats, Photos, Adventures
  • Go South From the Beaten Path to Bisbee, Arizona
  • Off-road Adventures Through Big Bend National Park

Copyright © 2019 · Metro Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in