Picture of the Day (Day 212 - 26th April 2011)

Our day started with a drive to Flagstaff, Arizona, which also happens to be the sister city of the Blue Mountains. And so began the Great Treasure Hunt of 2011.

All I wanted was to find some sort of sign or poster that said something about the Blue Mountains. We began our search at the Visitor Centre, where they gave me an internet printout of information on my home town. Why, thanks.

Our next try was City Hall, where everyone was incredibly helpful. We were directed to a second floor hallway that apparently housed a great deal of sister city artifacts. We wandered that hallway for at least ten minutes but only found a Mexican tapestry. Some ladies interrupted our search to ask us what we were looking for. When we told them, they began hunting too, all over the council offices. They were sure there used to be some Australian things, but thought maybe the previous mayor had taken them with him. They suggested perhaps trying the library.

At the library we were shown a class case filled with a didgeridoo, a map of Australia, and the 'Ode to the Blue Mountains'. I was happy. Flagstaff had finally acknowledged the Blue Mountains' existence. Little did I know that in the meantime, the library staff had been conducting a search of their own for a mysterious plaque they were sure was in the library somewhere that had a list of Flagstaff's sister cities. Lo and behold, it was discovered in a high up darkened window (obviously a great place to show how proud they are of their sisterly ties). A staff member climbed up to get it down for us - and there it was. In writing. Blue Mountains, Australia. Our Sister City. My search was complete!

A successful morning bode well for the rest of the day.

Our next stop was Montezuma's Castle, a house built into the side of a cliff about 800 years ago. It was really cool, we spent quite awhile there, just amazed.

We also drove a part of the Apache Trail where we saw the Superstition Mountains, Canyon Lake, and visited a ghost town and Tortilla Flat, a town with a total population of 6.

We made it to Phoenix just as it was getting dark. Our hotel turned out to be quite plush, with a pool and hydro-spa, and a rooftop bar with great views of the city.