In Fall of 2015, I was just beginning my quest to visit a National Park Service property in each state. At the time, my son was in college in San Francisco, and I would occasionally go out to visit him. I decided to take a week off work, visit Matt in school for a few days, then go on a VERY QUCK tour of the southwest. This was one of my first solo road trips, and I learned a lot while doing it.

I flew from San Francisco to Albuquerque, New Mexico – 100% because the trip coincided with the Hot Air Balloon festival, and that was on my bucket list! I stayed in an Airbnb in Albuquerque that was a 1960’s trailer for one night, and after that, moved on to Arizona.

In Arizona, I visited the Petrified Forest National Park, which is the subject of a different post. I then travelled north through the least densely populated part of the US that I had EVER been in. After several hours of not seeing anyone, I got a bit scared. I started wondering what would happen if there were a flat tire, etc. I believe this was the most unsettled I have been on a road trip – and really nothing happened. But, after that, I did get myself a bit more familiar with routine car maintenance. Just in case.

The Hubbell Trading Post is in rural northern Arizona, near the town of Ganada. The Trading Post is an operating trading post which has been in operation since 1878 and is still in operation. The trading post area includes the Trading Post itself, as well as a Visitors Center. The Visitors Center had several exhibits to show the history of the area and of the Trading Post, as well as a small shop.

The trading post itself is an operating trading post for the area. Local people bring in handmade goods, such as art and rugs, and leave with groceries and other essentials. While I was there, a Native American couple was in dealing with the trading post. That was really cool to see, since I thought that that type of commerce was dead in this country.

This was a great stop. I was continuing north to Arches, and the next stretch of road was the part that was so uninhabited and also incredibly beautiful. I stopped a few times just to take photos - once I saw several wild horses!!! OMG! That doesn't normally happen! One just stared at me while I stopped the car on the side of the road. I didn't get out, but just got a few photos. It was amazing to me all the space. Beautiful!

This is in an out-of-the way place, but it is on the way between the Petroglyph National Park, and the wonderful National Parks in Utah, so it is an easy visit while traveling in the southeast. The NPS site for more information on the Hubbell Trading Post is at: https://www.nps.gov/hutr/index.htm

#Arizona