US-191 is formerly known as US-666 and earned the name "Devil's Highway" for the obvious reason. But also, many thought the road was cursed due to the high amount of fatalities. I've driven through it twice and it truly shows off the Kappa's skill in twisties.
What I enjoy about this ~160 miles of road is that you get to see the versatility of Arizona. If you start from the south, you begin in the desert that most everyone knows Arizona for. As you head north, you head through Morenci, a historic strip mining town. Be sure to pay attention to the road though; there are plenty of switchbacks through this stretch. Past Morenci, you begin to climb in elevation and go through the Apache National Forest.
The only beef I have with the road is that its a good 2-3 hours away from any sort of civilization. However, if you're in the southwest, you definitely should hit it up.
I can tell you hundreds of stories about US 191. I and Carol raised our family in Douglas, Arizona located in the Southeast corner of the state of Arizona. I had flown down to Douglas from Kansas City to interview for the position of Director of Financial Aids, and Bilingual Counselor at Cochise Community College in Douglas, Arizona. That was after completing my Master of Arts Degree in Education at the University of Missouri at Kansas City. The Dean of Student Services interviewed me and said he would get back in touch. Well, he didn't immediately, so when I got back to Kansas City, I accepted the postion of YMCA Camp Director of a year round camp that was open 52 weeks of the year on a 200 acre camp site. I ran that camp with all 10 cabins and also supervised the cooks who provided the great meals. I loved that job, and especially in the summer when the swimming pool was in operation. Actually, Carol and I lived right on the premises, in a nice house, even had an office in the back. That was a blast. Well, not quite a year later on June 14th, right in the middle of the summer sessions, got a phone call from the Dean of Student Services and said the position was open, did I still want it. I accepted and that started a new chapter in our lives.
We adopted our first son while at the YMCA Camp Sant-O-Sage, and after getting to Arizona, my wife got pregnant and our second son was born at Tucson Medical Center.
So, anything you want to know about Arizona, just ask. Cochise Community College in Douglas, Arizona is part of the Community Colleges situated all over the state. So as part of the Community College system I would travel to different sites around the state for Financial Aid Meetings. Also, I had an office at Fort Huachuca, the Stratcom Intelligence Center for the US Army located just 30 miles up the road in Sierra Vista as the college offered courses there as well. So, I traveled there on Tuesdays and Thursdays for the day.
I know Arizona very well, both our sons grew up there. End of story. Thanks Joe for the map.
