We wanted to leave early so we could get into Phoenix and see the Capitol Museum before it got too late. We stopped for a McDonald’s breakfast in Show Low, and then some gas at the Show Low Safeway gas station. The drive today was about 100 miles and took a little over 3 hours.
The roads were good and the terrain was varied. We went through some beautiful trees, I think ponderosa pine, then some trees with white bark and green bark. We also went through areas of trees but they were smaller and not as many; then saguaro cactus, sagebrush, rocks. We went from about 7800 feet to sea level. I wasn’t feeling well today (I think due to the flu/tetanus shot yesterday) so Michael was wonderful and babied me. I was even feeling bad enough that I didn’t want to go to one of the local Cheesecake Factories (I think there are four here in the area), so you know if was serious.
We are leaving the land of tall pine trees.On top of the Tonto Rim and headed down the hill.Nice views as we wind down the road to the valley floor.Doesn’t take long for the flora to change.Desert landscaping abounds and looks very nice.Phoenix skyline as we are headed to the Capitol. It is so flat – there are not many photo ops.
We stopped at the Capitol and parked in the free two hour parking lot about a block away. The park area was lovely and had many statues for just about everything – Constitution, wars, police, etc. Very lovely. The day was warm and we enjoyed walking around and taking in all the beauty.
Map of Vietnam in sidewalk.Workers MemorialNames of sailors lost on the Arizona.Two Navy cannons and in the center are individual plates with the names of the lost cut out and hung in rows of two.The grounds are large.9/11 Memorial.9/11 base Memorial.A timeline cut in the metal ring and the sunlight projects the story throughout the day.USS Arizona Memorial.Art and history project memorializing Ernest McFarland.Korean War Memorial.Field Cross Memorial.Lives lost fighting terrorism.
Armenian Martyrs MemorialPeace Officer Memorial.Fallen officers.Several small specific memorials.Firefighter Memorial.Police K9 Memorial. Very nice.All the lost K9’s are listed on the granite.Desert flowers and memorials, many many memorials.A beautiful and appropriately sparring water fall.Bill of rights, carved in stone.Several excellent examples of these on the grounds.Ten Commandments.Confederate Soldier Memorial.Beautiful dome on the outside and a statue of winged victory on top. The real Capitol building behind.The grounds are large.A building that was outgrown many years ago. The real Capitol building was built in the back and the old building turned into a museum.War MemorialSenate building.House of Representatives building.Liberty bell replica that we have seen in all the other Capitols.
We headed for the Capitol Museum (free) and took a self-guided tour. They offer tours (by appointment) if there are over ten people. The Capitol is a Museum so it looks like an old dusty museum but it had some wonderful information on the history of Arizona. We asked about the Governor and they said there was a newer building at the back of the Capitol from which they work.
Inside looking up at the dome.Arizona State Seal.Buffalo soldier with timeline on both sides.General Santa Anna had to surrender. What a character, what a life. Ready for a full length feature film.It is a well done timeline that goes throughout the second floor.Many portraits of former governors.Nice historical review.Rough riders and Teddy Roosevelt’s part in it.The timeline covers some US as well as Arizona events.Interesting big points.Governor’s officeRancher.Miner.Like at the George W. Bush Library, a section inviting the visitor to put together a campaign.
Once we left the Capitol, we headed for our home for the night (Springhill Suites by Marriott, Priceline, $61.82). It’s a lovely suite with a mini kitchen, a nice little living room area, a nice large comfortable bed, and a bathtub. While Michael went out to get some food from the local grocery store, I took a bath to try to feel better. I didn’t feel better until I got a little bit of food and took some ibuprofen.
Nice desk area.A little living room, TV not in photo, is shared with the bedroom.Everything but a hot plate.It was a very comfortable bed.Standard bath, Edie liked the tub.Vanity.
