US NRCS Feb. 1 Basin Outlook Report

Here is the US Natural Resources Conservation Service February 1st Basin Outlook Report.  This fine report is issued twice each month in January, February and March with the final report coming out on April 1 each year.

Arizona's snowpack is holding in there early in Year 2013.  However, more precipitation will be needed to maintain near-normal numbers as this critical part of the Water Year unfolds.

Many Thanks to US NRCS Water Supply Specialist Dino DeSimone for getting the report to us.

Encinoso

The one and only Encinoso Waterfall!

Trout Farm

Nice, gnarly looking piece of water here at the low water crossing to the Trout Farm upstream from Sedona, Arizona. The drift logs add a picturesque touch.

Low Water Crossing - Camp Verde

This is a short video of high water running over a low water crossing near the Camp Verde High School.

Copper Canyon to Cherry Road interchange

On January 4th, we hiked from the I-17 brake check area at the head of Copper Canyon down to the trailhead.  We thought the road looked pretty rough but "doable" in our Suzuki Samurai.  We mounted the "Sam Cam" on the hood of the Samurai and off we went on January 18th.

The last hill climb is the most dubious portion of the road.  There are numerous rough patches but nothing unusual for a capable 4WD vehicle.

We set the camera on a ten second interval.  After our return home, we reduced the number of time lapse photos from the original 499 to more "manageable" 396.  It took about an hour to process the slideshow in Windows Movie Maker with each picture getting a one second view time.  It then too about another hour to upload the photos the photos to YouTube.  We will also put some of our still photos here soon.
Note that there are 3 or four "glitchy" slides and they appear at the very beginning. After the first five seconds of run time, the slideshow performs fine from then on.

The Highlander Motel

Here's 1954 postcard of The Highlander.  It looks much the same today.

The Highlander Motel at 533 W. 66 in Williams, Arizona, is a classic 1950 Route 66 place to stay. Naturally, the property has seen a lot of history along The Mother Road in the past 63 years.  The latest chapter for the vintage property promises a bright future for The Highlander Motel and travelers lucky enough to find their way to its cheery office.

Route 66 fans will find The Highlander to their liking.

Alan and Sandra came all the way from Belgium to buy The Highlander in 2011.  They have been providing their warm, enthusiastic hospitality to thousands of guests ever since.  Meanwhile, Alan and Sandra are remodeling each of the rooms according to a series of retro and geographical themes.  We stayed in the Marilyn Monroe room and it was decorated perfectly to achieve its theme.  The rooms awaiting remodeling are in great condition so no matter whether you're in a remodeled room or an original room, you've got a great place to stay.

The Highlander is a great place to stay for a night and even better for an extended stay in order to explore all the sweet spots and hidden gems Williams, Arizona has to offer.  The Highlander is small enough that Alan and Sandra can interact with each of the guests. Alan and Sandra go out of their way to make their guests feel welcome and valued.  Their kind of personal touch is something that's long been missing in the American roadside motel industry.

Alan graciously agreed to do a couple of short video interviews with us during our mid-January 2013 visit.  In Part 1, Alan gives a very brief look at how they decided to come to Williams.  In Part 2, Alan talks about their improvements to The Highlander.

Thanks for a great stay, Alan & Sandra!  We appreciate your hospitality!  

We wish you The Best of Success, Susun & John.

Here is the website for The Highlander Motel:

 http://www.highlander-motel.com/