Hello America!: Sedona Arizona

Sedona - Red Rocks

After leaving Apache Junction and LDSP, we had a 3 hour drive up I 17 to Sedona, Arizona.
For those of you not familiar with this area, it is the land of breathtaking red rock formations, numerous hiking and biking trails and art galleries. For some it is also an area of, dare I say, cosmic forces through several vortec sites. For the film buffs - many western movies were filmed here up until the early 1970's. The drive in is on a beautiful road, which was thoughtfully upgraded a few years back, Arizona 179. Everything in the area harmonizes with the red rocks, which dominate views in all directions for miles around. The 9 intersections coming into town utilize traffic circles instead to lights to enhance the flow - nicely landscaped and traffic moves along nicely.

one of 9 traffic circles coming n from I17 - Bell Rock in background

this is what greets you as you approach Sedona!!!

The directions had us take the first exit out of the 9th traffic circle and a few hundred yards later, we were pulling into our home for the next 10 days -Rancho Sedona RV Park.

located just across Oak Canyon Creek form the heart of town, Rancho Sedona RV Park

Snoopy Rock as seen from in front of our RV

After setting up the rig for a week plus stay, there was still a few hours left to go explore the area.

A little something for everyone - check out the sign on the left side

We stopped by the Visitors Info Center, got the scoop and the free visitors map and off we went - first stop Fay Canyon Trail Head and a nice 2 mile hike.

Fay Canyon west of town -fantastic rock formations

very inspiring - yes the sky is that blue!

The next day, we decided to visit the "ghost town" of Jerome. A former open pit copper mine set on a extremely steep hill side west of Sedona, it has become a strong tourist draw. Half way there, our plans were changed by a passing car throwing a stone which produced a dime sized chip very low and in the center of the Jeep's windshield. Hello Safe Lite Auto Glass!!! A smart phone lookup, a quick call and we were routed to their Prescott location. We arrived for our appointment, were inspected and informed it was indeed repairable and it would take about half an hour. We took Cooper and CJ for a little leg stretching, returned, sat for 10 minutes and....our Jeep was fixed! We were back on our way. Since we were now in Prescott, Cindy looked up our notes for what to do while there. My sister and her family had visited a few years back and highly recommended we check out the Palace Saloon. This is the very same saloon where Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday hung out prior to moving down to Tombstone. Though the building was rebuilt after a fire in 1900, they had saved the actual bar from the flames!

always good to read these things

Cindy getting ready to check it out

Marker's Mark, not Red Eye

We then continued checking out the historic section of the town and decided after purchasing a Native American Bedspread, that we could still fit in Jerome, our original destination. I thought, hey, why go back out to the 4 lane, let's take Arizona 89A which runs from Prescott, through Jerome and back to Sedona??? So we did and it was a very, very interesting drive, winding up through the mountains, very steep, very narrow, very curvy with some tremendous views. My sister had mentioned if we go there probably don't want to take the RV - that's for sure!! But way cool and glad we did it. We arrived in Jerome, parked and headed out to explore a town that at one time had 15000 residents, several car dealerships, a high school, the works. Then the mine was closed in the early 1950's and the population dropped to approx. fifty with it rebounding a bit with the town turning into an art colony in the 1970's. It hangs on the side of the mountain!!!

open pit portion of mine at Jerome

mine ambulance that ran on the ore car tracks underground

Jerome Street - met a Lancaster County friend here!

While checking out the town, Cindy sat on a bench with Cooper and CJ while I went into a small museum. When I returned, she was talking with a mutual friend of ours from Lancaster County whom we both had worked with - Kim Hatch!! small world!!!!!

The drive down the rest of the mountain was just as adventurous, but in 10 minutes we were in the valley and cruising back to the RV for the evening.

The next day was another hike , this time from the Sedona Airport vista down to the Sedona Vortex near the edge of town. We took Cooper and CJ made the .6 mile hike down to and then up the vortex and enjoyed the view and experience. CJ and I did the uphill return to the Jeep while Cindy and Cooper took in more of the view.

the 3 C's on the vortex

vortex from Airport trail. notice people on top

After getting back to the Jeep and picking up Cindy and Cooper, we went to the hardware store to pickup dog food and then to The Coffee Pot for our own food. (another great suggestion from Sis) They offer 101 omelets!! Really yummy.

The Coffee Pot Restaurant - nice place

The next day was rainy and cold, good time to do those chores, laundry, go to the library and grab some hi speed internet, etc. Walk dogs, is always on the list.

The sky cleared again and we resumed our hikes around the area checking out the area south of town - Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock, Rabbit Ears and more. Many of these trails have minimal elevation changes and are shorter distances, making them a very nice way to enjoy the sights, get some exercise, but not over do it. There was also a solo hike from about a mile past our campsite back into town that CJ and I did on Sunday afternoon.

Watching the weather at all time, some days colder that others, we zeroed in on Monday to drive 2 hours north to the Grand Canyon. We originally had a weeks reservation there, but with lows in the single digits, we opted out and decided to do just a day trip. No river rafting this trip! We once again got to use our lifetime National Parks Senior pass!!! This thing cost us $10 and has saved us hundreds of dollars in admission and campsite fees. It got us into Grand Canyon for free!

great experience - put it on your list

We drove to the South Rim, checked out what to see for a day's stay with the Rangers and off we went. As we approached the rim, a wind gust flared and as I grabbed for my hat, my sunglasses (Walmart fitovers) blew out past the railing and landed about two feet from the edge - no way am I going after those! We walked and drove from the visitor center viewing area stopped a numerous view points and got to the end at Hermits Rest. Before we headed out in the Jeep, I went back to try to lasso my sunglasses with the dog leash and some kind soul had somehow retrieved them and left them at the railing!!! Many thanks!!

These sights cannot be captured in pictures. We took dozens and offer a few here to give you an impression, but... you should see it for your self.

all views are spectacular

hundreds of miles in length

hiking trails to the bottom

the Colorado River is down there!

It was now mid afternoon and time to head back to the RV. There was one more stop to be made while doing so...A side trip into Williams, the last town bypassed by I 40!! (think the Pixar Cars movie) Route 66, Americana from our youth and a good piece of Apple Pie!!

my favorite desert

downtown Williams AZ and the original Route 66

Once more a walk into town, Lunch at the famous Cowboy Club restaurant and then some time at the dog park for Cooper and CJ. CJ was needing some open throttle time and Cooper likes to socialize.