So this was the first box I found in the series and I think I am going to like the series if I can get to all the counties - Arizona is a big state so it won't happen on just one trip. I found this box without any problems and took it back to the car to stamp in. After stamping in to this box I replaced it and headed out again. From here it was on to Winslow. I have been to Winslow a few times so I didn't feel the need to "Stand on the Corner" or visit La Posada or any of those things so I just headed straight to First Street Pathway Park to find Shorty's WG33. When I first got to the park I went and took pictures of Peter Toth's statue (which the box is about) before looking for the box. I have seen pictures of these statues but this is the first time I have seen one in person and the one in Winslow is amazing. I then went in search of the box and it was easy to find since the clues are straight forward and there was no one else in the park. After retrieving the box I found a spot to sit and stamp in although it was less that ideal. The wind was blowing and it was hard to keep all the paper and baggies from flying away. In the end I managed and got a beautiful stamp carved by Shorty that is an incredible representation of the statue. I replaced the box, returned to the car and was once more on my way. Next stop was the Meteor Crater Rest Area at mile marker 235. I had clues for three boxes here - jb kokopelli's North to Alaska: Arizona Route 66; deniserow's Ring Around the Xmas Tree and Wronghat's Water. I only found two of the boxes, unfortunately I couldn't find Wronghat's box. Stamping in was a little difficult because the wind was really blowing and there was dust everywhere but I got it done and then returned to the car.A couple of miles down the road I exited to Meteor Crater. I stopped immediately at the RV area and found I Want to Believe by John Valjean and after quickly stamping in I made a decision to go and see the crater.
At the Visitor Center I paid my fee, watched the movie, toured the exhibits before going outside to see the crater. The winds were pretty bad here and the woman who took my fee said they had clocked 77mph wind gusts already that morning. While I was outside the wind was blowing the entire time and it was hard to walk around then all of a sudden there was the sound of the wind getting louder and then an incredible gust of wind past by that lasted about 5 seconds. At this point I decided it was time to head back inside. I went through the gift shop and then headed back to the car. After a few miles on I40 I exited and followed the clues to Leupp Road to find Desert Flower's 4 + 66. This was just a short walk from a pullout on the road and I found it quickly. I sat near the tree where the box was hidden hoping that it would help block some of the wind. It helped a little unless there was a gust and unfortunately there were quite a few gusts and my logbook and letterboxing bag were covered in dirt. I wasn't able to get rid of the dirt because the wind kept blowing so I just finished stamping in and the returned to the car. Once in the car and with the door closed I shook out my logbook onto one of the floor mats so that dirt didn't fall out of the logbook every time I opened it. I then returned to I40 and then exited again to Walnut Canyon. I made my way to the trailhead for the Arizona Trail and went on a short walk to find Azroadie's Walnut Canyon: Arizona Trail box. 
This was an easy find and thankfully because to all the trees the wind wasn't so bad. After stamping in and rehiding the box I decided to go to Walnut Canyon NM. Here I got my Passport Stamps and the headed out to walk the Island Trail Loop. I loved this walk - the canyon is beautiful and the ruins are incredible, very much worth the effort. Once back in the Visitor Center I looked at the exhibits and then headed on my way. I then made my way to Sunset Crater Volcano NM/Wupatki NM to drive the loop road. 
Here I stopped at both Visitor Centers to get Passport Stamps and I made numerous other stops along the way as well. I stopped at lava fields, ruins and scenic overlooks. I also made stops to find four letterboxes. These boxes are all off of park property so I don't think they are a problem. I would Shorty was here! - Arizona by Shorty and a series of three boxes by Azroadie called Volcanoes to Pueblos Series. 
All nice boxes and stamps and some great views while stamping in. While I was at the Wupatki VC I talked with the Ranger about the wind because it wasn't so bad here. I told here about the wind at Meteor Crater and she told me they had gotten reports from there that they had gusts of up to 96mph and that they closed the outside viewing of the crater. A little scary - 96mph winds are hurricane force winds. I was glad that the winds at this park were better. So I left the park and made my way into Flagstaff and went to Buffalo Park to find Squatchis' Arizona Counties - Coconino County. This was a nice walk and the area where the box is hidden is quiet and peaceful - no one around. I found the box and stamped in, again thankful the winds had died down. I replaced the box and walked back to the car and decided to call it a night and get something to eat. I had searched on Yelp and Trip Advisor for restaurants and made a decision to go to Fat Olives for dinner. I ended up having an Adovado pizza (tomato sauce, spicy adovado, wood roasted onion, mozzarella) and a Mother Road Lost Highway Imperial Black IPA. The meal was fantastic and I was now ready to call it a day, or so I thought. On the way to the hotel I passed the train depot and remembered that last night I had written down a new clue for a box there. So I made a quick stop and found The Robertson Clan's Layne Station. It was a quick and easy find as the sun was going down. I stamped in and replaced the box and now I could head to the hotel.It was a long day and the wind didn't help any but I had a great time. I saw lots of great places and found some wonderful letterboxes. Now it is time to rest - tomorrow I make my way to Prescott.
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