Salt River Canyon on Arizona State Hwy 77

Aloha Everyone,

Our drive on Arizona Highway 77 took us through beautiful Salt River Canyon passing San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation to Fort Apache Indian Reservation.

Salt River Canyon is hardly publicized. J.J. noted that the area has no services along the way, and therefore does not seem very inviting for the casual tourist.  For us, however, it was well worth the extra time on the road.

At one of the lookout points we met Jamie (right) and Liz. Jamie is Apache and her hometown is about 20 miles from where we met. Liz, a Senaca-Iroquois, is from New York. The girls are both studying in Albuquerque, New Mexico and today they were taking their little sisters to Phoenix.

From high desert to pine tree forests, J.J. had to adjust our AC to accommodate the changing topography and cooler temperature.

We stopped at the Chamber of Commerce Tourist Information Center in a small town of Show Low.

The lady who assisted us was originally from Warsaw, Indiana. She's been in Show Low for the past 10 years.

Tonight we are staying at the Red Rock State Park camping ground in Gallup, New Mexico.

Our next door neighbors are Ben and Mary from San Diego. They are on a short break from their business of selling fruiting plants from around the world.

Three sides of this park are bordered by red rocks. The park is managed by the city of Gallup. J.J. and I visited here about 5 years ago and fondly remember an excellent Mexican restaurant in town. If it's still in business, I am certain that J.J. will find it.

Aloha -- Cathi