After doing a bunch of research we settled on a typically unrealistic long list of sites to see. We of course, didn't get around to seeing half of what we would have liked, or planned, but it was a great vacation none the less. It was a good initial "taste of Arizona", and helped to define what other sites there are to see... in AZ.
The West Jet package included 5 nights at the Holiday Inn in Mesa, an attached suburb of Phoenix. Our 6th floor room had an excellent view looking to the east. Phoenix is a friggin' huge city! These pic's are with my new Sony HX9 point and shoot, and the "panorama shot" is a nice feature.
The first day we drove to Sedona AZ. From all accounts, it is a #1 Must See in AZ.
The Sedona area is home to the famous "Bell Rock"...shown here on the right.
We went for a wee hike on Bell Rock.
Here are some pic's from the day.
Cathedral Rock below - we ventured here for the rest of the afternoon
This area is the site of one of the five alleged "Vortex's", which are areas where up bursts of "life energy can effect positive influences on those in the vicinity". The tree in the background, where we paused to enjoy the view (and the shade) had an obvious spiralling growth, which is supposed to be indicative of a vortex site. Fact or fable...we will never know. But we can certainly confirm that the entire Sedona area has a very peaceful and serene effect on the soul, for sure. The whole area is a vortex of awesome beauty!
Barb sitting at a "vortex" site at Cathedral Rock -- did she feel the energy?
We got such a good deal on a 5 night West Jet package. We stayed a night at the "Star" Motel in Sedona. A 1 star accomodation for sure, but the owner (Canadian) was friendly and gave us some great tips on where to go and what to see!
Old World inspired art
New World inspired art
Crystal art...
Kinetic Art!!! My latest love... and future obsession!
Bob's vortex of happy place!
Oh yea...and Pig Art too!
...and Beer Art. ( yes we each had 1, but didn't "pig out" )
After lunch at Oak Creek Brewery & Grill on a sweet outdoor balcony, we headed back uptown
went for a wee drive Upper Red Rock Loop Rd
(just a tad too late for sunset views)
The end of a perfect day...
and the start of another.
We went for a nice breakfast at the Wildflower Bread Company.
Visited Red Rock State Park.
And went to Red Rock Crossing area of the State Park
The picture above and following are from Crescent Moon Picnic Area and Red Rock Crossing is one of the most photographed scenses in the entire USA!......It is indeed worthy of this title although true spring was a few weeks away upon our visit.
This is another vortex site with hundreds of stone cairns made by aliens. ( visitors :) )
The picture above is Red Rock Crossing with Cathedral Rock in the background
Stopped at a lookout on the way out.
And headed north through Oak Creek Canyon.
(note to self...a few really nice river side camp grounds AND a trout hatchery along this drive)
Sarah would LOVE working at this DQ. So would I (?) And they're hiring! Shit...I could buy the hatchery....Elliot could run it....and Barb and I could get lots of sweet deals from Sarah at the DQ!
AWESOME idea MrB!
There was a nice lookout/State Park after climbing a switchback road out of the canyon before Flagstaff. They have an outdoor market area where you can purchase native American arts and craft. (As they did at the Dairy Queen location at the start of the canyon drive)
So by now we are well into day #2 and heading.....somewhere.
We had planned on driving a scenic route drive through the Painted Desert to see the Grand Canyon South Rim, but didn't for a few reasons.
#1 - there was the threatening Arizona "biggest winter storm of the season", approaching in the coming days.
#2 - After a 1.5 hour drive to GC, we would have been left only a half-day to see it. Nope...don't think that's right. What an insult to the GC!
#3 - Nowhere booked to stay the night. Panic to get a room "somewhere" OR...drive 4-5 hrs. in the dark back to our Mesa Holiday Inn. Nope.
We had also really wanted to go to see Antelope Canyon after the Grand. Ditto.
So we decided to spend the afternoon going through Flagstaff to see Sunset Volcano Crater National Monument, and then head back to Mesa.
A good karma rest spot. In the summer that karma may be affected by not only tarantula's...but also by "tarantula hawks" which are nasty wasps which prey on nasty spiders! The wasp sting on humans has been compared to having a hair dryer thrown into a bathtub you are in! nasty...nasty........nasty.
Here's the lovely veiw out to the w/nw and the painted desert. Note a few more of the hundreds of volcanoes which prevail in this topography. We drove about 10 minutes out this way for a look see. Pretty interesting terrain. You could easily get lost in this desert amongst the cactus and creosote shrubs. I would (of course) love to come back and explore some more :)
This was a really scenic rest-stop on the way to Phoenix
Nice to be "home" after an excellent 2 day adventure. Nice view from our 6th floor balcony
Day 3 and a trip to the awesome Arizona Desert Botanical Gardens.
Lots of birds...especially humming birds!
Barb just loved these "barkless" green trees.
These rock structures are just outside the PDBG. The size is larger than your first impression...they seem
smaller and closer. Someone was rescued from this public park the day previous.
Lots of butterflys in the arborium.
A must see stop if you are ever there!
In the afternoon we went to check out "Old Scottsdale" where this great doggie was chillin out. It was St. Patty's Day, Spring Break, and Spring Break/Baseball Training Camp Week in the Phoenix area, so there were tons of happy/rowdy folks about, on their way to see the San Francisco Giants play in the Scottsdale ball park.
Next day we went to the Phoenix Museum of Art in the down town area.
Our last night. A nice double rainbow from "The Storm". I wish I would have taken a panorama shot cause I just missed a great lightening bolt!
Next time
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