LTV Kozad: Cruising North America's Highways & Byways: South: Headed Home Leg One (b) Sedona to Navajo Bridge

Leg Two: Sedona to Navajo Bridge, AZ

9 April, 2016

We think this is one of the most diverse and spectacular scenic byway we have driven.

Our plan was to go to Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks, even though we are on a timeline schedule returning home for Craig's back procedure.

We took Route 89 heading north from Flagstaff then continuing northwest on Route 89-A towards Kenab, UT. This route is simply stunning and photographs do not truly capture the experience ~ but we have tried!

Route 89 & 89A
Flagstaff AZ to Kanab, UT

Leaving Sedona the scenery changes very quickly. The Sedona-Oak Creek Canyon Scenic Road travels along a river gorge. Heavily forested, this road rises approx. 2000' through a switch back section of Route 89A. At the top of the elevation is Oak Creek Vista and once past the vista the geography changes again!

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We Chose 89A

Coconino National Forest
Cave Springs Campground is next!

Better illustrations from Maps
Route 89A

The scenery changes drastically once out of Oak Creek Canyon

Always changing vistas!

Changing Landscape

There are bridges over dry river beds
When it rains the flood waters abound

Old Homestead built from those red rocks

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We find the landscape along this route truly amazing; there are "ruptures" where the group has been pushed up in small solid mounds in dark grey colour, then there are areas where it looks like the hard earth crust has been fractured and thrown about! Amazing!

Grey mounds pushed up from the surrounding area

How are these formed?

Large slabs or rack pushed up and broken from the ground

It is like broken concrete slabs

Unique formations

Amazing Rock Formations

These Mountains Are to the east of Route 89A

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Headed to Marble Canyon

Marble Canyon is the section of the Colorado River canyon in northern Arizona from Lee's Ferry to the confluence with the Little Colorado River, which marks the beginning of the Grand Canyon.

Lee's Ferry is a common launching point for river runners starting their journey through the Grand Canyon. Marble Canyon is also well known for the Navajo Bridge, where US Highway 89A crosses the Colorado River. From Wikipedia

Great Drive - Alberta Corvette
Scenic Hwy 89 - 89A

This stretch of 89A - Marble Canyon

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Navajo Nation

Route 89 takes you through he Navajo Nation which extends into the states of Utah , Arizona and New Mexico , covering over 27,000 square miles of unparalleled beauty. Diné Bikéyah, or Navajoland, is larger than 10 of the 50 states in America. From Navajo Nation History

Craft Stands
Abundant on this route.

LTV Kozad taking a break before the Navajo Bridge

Jan admiring the view

The LTV is an awesome RV to travel North America.

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Navajo Bridge

Navajo Bridge crosses the Colorado River's Marble Canyon near Lee's Ferry in the US state of Arizona carrying U.S. Route 89A. Spanning Marble Canyon, the bridge carries northbound travelers to southern Utah and to the Arizona Strip, the otherwise inaccessible portion of Arizona north of the Colorado River, which includes the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.

Prior to the construction of the first Navajo Bridge, the only river crossing from Arizona to Utah was at nearby Lee's Ferry, where the canyon walls are low and getting vehicles onto the water is relatively convenient. The ferry offered only unreliable service, however, as adverse weather and flooding regularly prevented its operation. From Wikipedia