During my trip research, I had read that there were three WalMarts in Flagstaff which allowed overnight RV parking. One had better reviews than the others, so we planned on leaving Jumbo there while we visited the Lowell Observatory, and coming back to spend the night. We found the WalMart but there were "No Overnight Parking" signs all over the parking lot.
Larry parked Jumbo in an out-of-the-way spot while I went inside to check. I found that there definitely is no overnight parking allowed. In fact, it is a Flagstaff ordinance. Just goes to show that you can't believe everything you read online. We would simply have to find an alternative solution. Luckily, I had just that - many alternatives! Seven miles down the road in Bellemont was another Pilot Travel Center, so off we went, parked Jumbo, hopped into the car and headed back to Flagstaff and the Lowell Observatory.
On the way we passed this Natural Grocers with a big cow mural on the wall.
Lowell Observatory was founded by Percival Lowell in 1894. Larry has wanted to visit it since he was a child, so we were fortunate to make one of his dreams come true.
We started our tour at the Clark Telescope Dome. The telescope is being reconditioned and is not on display, but it was still pretty special to be able to see where it has lived since 1894.
We moved on to the Rotunda Museum, which originally was a library.
The first thing you notice when entering the building is this lamp which has been hanging since 1910.
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| Percival Lowell |
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| Library stairs |
The view of Flagstaff.
Sundial...
How wonderful that Percival Lowell rests in peace in a place that was so special to him.
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