Hannigan Meadow, Arizona

Thursday, Sept. 30 - We stopped in Chinle this morning at the post office and Bashas (for donuts), then headed south.  Thankfully, this highway had been resurfaced through here, because when we came through last year with Jeff and Brenda, it was really bad, and we had been dreading this section.  We finally left the rocky canyon terrain and started seeing some pine trees.  We had to get on I-40 for 6 miles to jog east where 191 continued on south, and we came down through St. John, Springerville and Eager.  We found a nice campground in the Apache-Sitgreaves Forest in the Hannigan Meadow area, 2 miles off the road,  called KP Cienaga Campground,so we set up came for the night.  
4, 5
We had a little trouble getting into the first site we tried, and actually broke part of the fiberglass panel right behind the front tire when Joe hit a rock with it.


We moved on to another spot but couldn't get level at this one, so we moved to a third one, one with a view.  There are only about 8 sites here.

It was nice and cool up here, elevation 8970.  Joe said he wasn't camping below 8800 on our last night out, so that met his criteria.  We hoped to see some elk wander through this meadow, but none showed up.  There are 4 other campers in here, in tents; I think one group is hunters.  After a frustrating time getting settled in, Joe finally got to sit down and enjoy the scenery and temperature.

We drove 223 miles today, and probably have 250 to go tomorrow to get us home. Fortunately, we didn't have to go home by way of Wisconsin, so we should be home on October 1, Day 137 of this trip. Both grandkids have games on Saturday, and I intend to be there.

Our final route takes us down 191 to Safford, then across 70 to Globe, then 60 HOME.