From PHX to Winslow - If you take I-17 all the way to I-40 you'll drive near to 2 to 5 National Monuments. Montezuma Castle, Tuzigoot, Walnut Canyon, Wupatki, and Sunset Crater. All but Sunset are of pre-Contact ruins highly preserved and very cool if you're into that type of history. 3/5 are on the smaller side and generally have shorter hikes along paved trails and can be experienced in under an hour if desired. I'm pretty sure that dogs are allowed on leash for most if not all of the sites, but I would check the NPS site before hand. Wupatki & Sunset are much bigger, but are generally accessible by driving if you have the time, and there used to be a drive by series along the roads.

From Flagstaff to Winslow there is also the Meteor Crater National Landmark. More pricey as it is under private contract, and I don't know their pet policy. But it's a cool 1-2 hr attraction.

If you're planning on taking AZ260 over to Pine and then North to Winslow directly you can still visit Montezuma easily.

If you are planning on taking I-17 to Flagstaff, it is worth considering taking the Alternate route through Sedona. Very scenic drive, possibilities of short hikes, and boxing. BUT - this is one of the most visited places in Arizona and it can be very crowded. Furthermore, AZ89A North out of Sedona is a winding road. If you have any sort of time crunch, consider sticking to I-17.

Getting out to Petrified will be a long drive from Winslow, doubly so to get back to PHX. But well worth it in my opinion. Check with the NPS on where dogs are allowed. There are some drive by things to see in Petrified, but don't expect to be able to do many trails with a dog.

For night time pictures, so long as you are not in Flagstaff, if you can drive 10-20 miles away from the interstate and whatever town you're staying in, you'll have better than average night sky viewing. If you're in Winslow, consider some night hiking in Homolovi SP.

For getting back, AZ260 is a rather scenic road following the Mogollon Rim. Not fast, but better than interstate travel IMHO.

For boxing - this may be dated information, but - there are not any box concentration areas (e.g. Tucson) but they are sprinkled liberally around the I-40 corridor and other tourist areas. 'Big Name' regional planters include (but not limited to) AZRoadie/Desert Flower, WrongHat, Baqash, SnakeDoctor/TeepeeAZ.

And a shameless plug of places we've been in that area, pictures, and personal stories.

Squatchis gives great advice! Definitely second their thoughts on taking 89A north out of Sedona: it can be a very windy road that I wouldn't recommend driving at night. Another note: parts of Sunset Crater are closed due to flooding and fires we've had this summer. Part of it is open though.

If you decide to come up to Flagstaff, please let me know! I'd be happy to meet you and do a quick exchange. :)

We're going to check it out! I plan on taking a picture of Saki, our late Japanese Chin, to leave there. Not because we're moving on and forgetting her, no not at all, but because we're starting a new chapter in the book of life with pets with our soon to be named Japanese Chin.

I am SO excited there is a box on the corner! When I told Mom about it she goes "how do you know these things?" Easy. My brain refused to comprehend math beyond algebra but memorizes lyrics and trivia like nobody's business. (She does know the song but isn't like me who's head is full of useless information as she puts it).

It looks like the soda fountain is closed at the moment though. When I saw it I went "Yes! lunch!" but the website says they're still working on the kitchen refurb.

Interesting! Since we're on a mission, I doubt we can get off on every exit we come across, unless there aren't that many. Is it like I-95 in south florida, an exit every mile or like the turnpike in central florida, 20 miles between exits?

This post is SUPER helpful! Thank you! All those but sunset crater are on my google maps route, Probably route and AZ260 is there too!

We are going through Sedona, since it looks interesting. We were going to stay there, but it is quite expensive so we'll just stop for a little bit there and head on to Flagstaff.

We're going to stay at the Wigwam motel by Petrified Forest for funsies, then hit up the park as much as we can with the pup, get both our Junior Ranger and Bark Ranger badges. After that, we'll head on back to Phoenix, get a cheap hotel and fly home on Saturday.

I sent an email to the owner of Arizona Sake since it said to for tastings and short tours, still waiting on an answer. I think the Hard Rock in Phoenix is closed, so no guitar pin for me there.

Would getting a case of water, some cokes and a small cooler be worth it for 3 days since we'll be out on the road through desert or there are plenty stopping places? Driving around southeasternish CA I was happy I had stopped at Costco for snacks and water, but that was a week and a half long trip.

I'm also going to check out your blog now. :)

We're staying on Lucky Lane the night of the 21st. Not sure when we'll get in, but maybe on the 22nd?

Most definitely it would be worthwhile. I always freeze some of the water to keep the cooler cold but dry. With the heat here you never know when you will need it. If you get caught on the I-17 for an accident it might be for hours. Also bring a bowl for the puppy.

That sounds like a lovely thing to leave at The Plotz Plot!

I saw Jackson Browne a few years ago, and he played "Take It Easy" which was of course excellent. He also did two amazing Warren Zevon covers - Carmelita and Lawyers Guns and Money.

Too bad that the soda place is closed; it was closed for a different reason the last time I passed through.

There’s approximately 40 drive bys in the “A trip down memory lane” series from flagstaff to the New Mexico border. There’s a few exits that also have additional unrelated drive bys near by. The wigwam motel has a box. There’s quite a few boxes in flagstaff. Definitely bring a cooler and snacks. It’s very dry and can be a good distance between snacking spots. Have fun!!

Petrified Forest will sometimes have night time ranger programs and is a dark sky Park and worth exploring at night for the celestial views.

I’ve just introduced a family member to Letterboxing. She lives in Arizona - the Prescott area if that matters . I am unfamiliar with the weather and terrain as I have never had the pleasure of traveling to Arizona . What things are Arizona specific that would be helpful for her to know. How do you plant boxes in AZ in what type of container etc. is there one “Leader” of the Arizona boxing community that I should mention to her ? Any and all help would be appreciated.
Thank you
Ascendingheart in Maine😊

Lock n locks and other variety’s won’t be great in some of the drier spots. The flaps snap off because of the dry extreme heat. She might be able to get away with it in flagstaff and Prescott since they get more moisture. I’ve had varying success with flap boxes. Thicker plastic with screw on lids might be a better option anywhere south of Prescott. Snake doctor, Nicoley-Poley, Desert flower, TepeeAz, and family tree shaker box in the state. Good luck to the newbie!

Ohh and carry a pokey stick with her. Sticks in general are hard to find, because few trees in some parts, and it’s especially important to poke with a stick first because of snakes. And don’t open boxes in the lap or car because of scorpions and spiders.

Thank you, any experience with pill bottle plants ? Also do you paint your containers? Probably rock boxes would work there too. 🤔

I have done some pill bottles.I have a series in flagstaff where most of the 25 boxes are in vials. They were suppose to be temporary but it’s turned into a longer than expected plant. They’ve held up so far.

I paint all my boxes, mostly red brown and sand color in arizona. Clear unpainted boxes can reflect the light and make them easy to find, I think. Some people don’t have an issue with the sun lighting up the boxes and they don’t paint them.if she does decide to paint, lightly sand the boxes first then apply paint in several thin layers. The paint chips but it holds up better than camo duct tape.
I haven’t tried rock boxes because I’m lazy. Many of the rock boxes
I’ve gone out looking for have gone missing. I don’t know why. No idea on whether the planting location was bad or people are discovering them because they don’t look like real, local, rocks. Either way they tend to go missing

Check your AQ mail

The Oyster Mushroom box for this series is in place with a new box and logbook.
Clues have been updated.
https://www.atlasquest.com/boxes/clue/?boxId=254194

Re-check the link again - I get msg 'Webpage Not Found'

Thanks!

Back in 2014 when Ryan was hiking the Arizona National Scenic Trail (AZT) I planted the initial AZT Wild Things box for him to find as he came through the Tucson area.
Today I completed the alphabet, and a few extras. The boxes stretch along the 800 miles of the trail from Mexico to Utah. Trail mileage cited in the clues is not always accurate, the trail is being re-routed to improve the route which causes mileage to change. I do not plan to adjust the mileage in the clues, as that information is not dependent on finding the box.
Access is always along a 2 WD road and usually a short walk. Please feel free to extend your hike to experience more of the trail.
Search for;
AZT Wild Things:

Hi from Connecticut,
I plan on visiting my brother in Gilbert after the Happy Birthday AZ event on 2/25. If anyone would like to meet up, exchange, get pizza...whatever on 2/26 or 27 I would love to to meet some local boxers - Toolie Bird

Well I am finally home and have logged all my finds from the Happy Birthday Arizona event. Just wanted to give a huge thank you to AZJokester for all her hard work to make this event so fun and successful. And to all my new Arizona friends, it was great to meet such a wonderful bunch of people. Everyone was very patient with me as they translated clues that contained the local plants and cacti (and taught me how to pronounce them)! The only unfun part was being introduced to that prickly pear I backed into, lol. I can't wait to see you all again!
Toolie Bird

Save the Date - Sunday, Jan 28, 2024 for the 20th Annual Tucson Letterboxing Event - “20 years of Friends, and Counting...”
It will be held about an hour east of Tucson in St. David, Arizona, at the Holy Trinity Monastery. There will be an indoor hall to gather and hiking trails which border the San Pedro River to find boxes. Sign up now to get updated information about the event as details are provided.
https://www.atlasquest.com/showinfo.php?eventId=4751

Hi, anyone interested in a low-key, outdoor, socially distanced meet-up to stamp the U-haul series (my event stamp series)? Hubby and I still wear masks, because I had a recent kidney transplant.

I am planning a road trip through South Utah, SW Colorado, NW New Mexico and North Arizona this summer (dates and locations uncertain) and thought it would be fun to let the U-haul series hit the road, much like a U-haul truck does.

This sounds so fun! Congrats on your transplant and your adventure! I would love to meet up but I am in Ohio near Cleveland--- so if you head this way, let me know! :)

I will. Thanks. :)

hi DS!

im in florida, so I am no help to your meetup question, however I am just curios when you say U-Haul collection. are you talking about the U-Haul CT13 camper? because we have one. :D

No not a camper. She has series of stamps 40+ that are the pictures you see on the U-Haul trucks on the road. It's really a fabulous collection.

Thanks Country Duo :)
Theclowder, I have to admit I had to look up that U-haul CT13. I had no idea what it was. Those are really cute. Now I want one!!! But the U-haul series is my event series. If you look on my profile, and click on event boxes, it shows this series. It started years ago, and features images from the sides of u-haul trucks representing each of the states. They are carved by many letterboxers from all over the US. I enjoy sharing it.

i saw the images, wow its so beautiful! This sounds like a wonderful event box. hopefully someday I will have the opportunity to add these to my Logbook. I've enjoyed finding all your traditional boxes here in Orlando!