Andrew Monaghan CRS, GRI, EPro Associate Broker

On our recent trip to the grand canyon, as we were passing the rest area at the 3 mile mark we found the sign bellow.

Getting to the bottom OPTIONAL

Getting to the top Mandatory.

Possibly the most appropriate sign I have ever seen anytime anywhere.

'Serving the entire Phoenix metropolitan area

Its hard to believe that its almost Christmas again, one thing we as a family have loved to do over the past 5 years is to take teh Polar express from Williams to the north pole.

It is a train that leaves from Williams AZ, teh conductor reads teh book the polar express to the children, tehre is a sing along, they all dress in pajamas and drink hot chocolate and cookies.

I would recommend staying gin Williams overnight as it is fun for the kids from Phoenx to wake up in the snow the following morning.

http://www.thetrain.com/polar-express-5679.html

White mountains

The KP Trail starts in an alpine meadow and meanders along the South Fork of KP Creek. About 3 miles along, where the South Fork joins the North Fork, hikers will find two lovely waterfalls.

"It's a neat place to pack a lunch and go to," Dyson said.

From Alpine, drive south about 28 miles on U.S. 191. Turn east and go about 1.3 miles to the KP Cienega Campground, where you'll find the trailhead.

Flagstaff

Edelstein calls the Weatherford Trail, which starts at Schultz Tank, a "sweet fall hike" that goes through a dense stand of aspen.

It's only 1.7 miles to the junction with the Kachina Trail, but you gain about 800 feet of elevation on the way.

From Flagstaff, take U.S. 180 north about 3 miles to Schultz Pass Road. Turn right and go about 6.7 miles to the trailhead, just a past Schultz Tank.

Globe

The Icehouse Trail provides one of the most botanically varied hikes in Arizona. But it's tough, gaining a little more than 3,000 feet in elevation. Lower stretches of the trail aren't anything special, but before long it leads past maples, sumac, walnut and aspen.

From Globe, follow the signs to the Besh-Ba-Gowah Archaeological Park. Just past the turnoff to the park, turn right onto Icehouse Canyon Road (Forest Road 112) and go 1.7 miles to a stop sign. Continue straight for 2.5 miles, then turn left at the sign to Trails 197 and 192 and go about a quarter-mile to the Icehouse CCC Recreation Site

North Rim

From Jacob Lake, go south on Arizona 67 about 26.5 miles (0.7 mile south of the entrance to the DeMotte Campground). Turn east on Forest Road 611 and go 4 miles to the East Rim Overlook.

http://www.azcentral.com/travel/features/articles/2009/09/24/20090924fallcolors0926.html

Yes even though its over 100 degrees in the valley, parts of Arizona have moved into fall complete with all the colors and temperature.

White mountains.

Drive from Pine top to Eagar, take the AZ 260.

Flagstaff.

Drive along Harte prairie Road, Take US 180 northwest to Forest road (harte prairie Road) then enjoy the scenery.

Globe

From the southeast side of Globe, take Jess Hayes Road to Icehouse Canyon Road (Forest Road 112), which you take about 2.5 miles to FR 55. Bear right and go another 2.5 miles to FR 651. Turn left and continue about 10 miles to the Pinal and Upper Pinal campgrounds, Bring your suv, may be tough on sedans.

North Rim

Arizona 67, which leads from Jacob Lake to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, is one of the state's most scenic stretches of road. The route, officially known as the Kaibab Plateau-North Rim Parkway.

Sedona

Go north on 89 from the town to enjoy the wonderful scenery of Oak Creek

"Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did, so throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor: catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore, Dream. Discover.

Mark Twain.

Perfect quote for today.