89A on the way to Quartzsite

Alright I'm no Robin Williams (didn't watch the movie until we got back home) but in hind sight it was kinda funny. We left home without a parking gear or parking brake, 4 yellow scotchblocks that my brother-in-law would hop out and block the tires with. Having not been to Quartzsite and really not that well travelled in the west I took the exit south of Flagstaff and headed to Sedona on 89A. Yep, I saw the sign with circle and bar saying NO TRUCKS OVER 50ft, but this is a motor home. Gotta tell you it was exciting, going down that mountain for 25 miles or so.
After finally reaching the bottom of the mountain, letting the brakes cool off, driving through Sedona and a couple of little towns it was time to decide. Continue on 89A or start replanning, maybe go back to the interstate. A quick "how bad can it be after that" vote, we continued on 89A- big mistake.
Jerome, Arizona, for anyone who hasn't been, is 4 miles straight up the mountain. 45degrees and switchback city. We continued to climb and make 90 degree turns. My sister-in-law was totally unafraid in the back near a window until she heard me utter the 3rd "Oh S***!". To appreciate her anxiety, please be informed that we are flatlanders, totally unaccustomed to grades going from 1800' to 7000' in just a few miles.
After something just short of what seemed a lifetime we reached the top and started down the other side. We stopped at just before dusk at a little station to take on propane and gasoline. The owner asked which way we came, I told him, and being unduly impressed at our bravery (stupidity) he invited us to spend the night "next to the fence".
The following morning it was such a relief to see the desert stretched out before us as we descended the last part of that mountain, to begin our visit to Quartzsite.