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March 8, 2020
March 8, 2020
Day one of Daylight Savings Time I had to get up early to go to the airport. It was confusing but I was excited to get here! Snapped a couple shots from the limo on the way to the airport. CoronaVirus, you don't scare me!
Day one of Daylight Savings Time I had to get up early to go to the airport. It was confusing but I was excited to get here! Snapped a couple shots from the limo on the way to the airport. CoronaVirus, you don't scare me!
ORD to PHX
ORD to PHX
It was a bumpy plane ride to Phoenix today, because of storms they said. But once we landed, it was a gorgeous day!
It was a bumpy plane ride to Phoenix today, because of storms they said. But once we landed, it was a gorgeous day!
Waited for Julie at the rental car place...which was like a whole airline terminal in itself! You take a huge bus to it, which is about a 15 minute ride. Then you stand in a crazy long line (about an hour at Budget!) and finally get a really nice small SUV to drive up to Sedona.
Waited for Julie at the rental car place...which was like a whole airline terminal in itself! You take a huge bus to it, which is about a 15 minute ride. Then you stand in a crazy long line (about an hour at Budget!) and finally get a really nice small SUV to drive up to Sedona.
We drove the hour and forty minutes from Phoenix to Oak Creek, which is a small suburb just south of Sedona. Our Airbnb is fantastic! It's just two bedrooms, and they're on opposite sides of the house and have their own en suite bathroom and large closet. There's a large deck on the front (street side) of the house, and a huge deck on the back that has the best views. The main part is all open concept, living, dining, and kitchen. It's absolutely perfect for us!
We drove the hour and forty minutes from Phoenix to Oak Creek, which is a small suburb just south of Sedona. Our Airbnb is fantastic! It's just two bedrooms, and they're on opposite sides of the house and have their own en suite bathroom and large closet. There's a large deck on the front (street side) of the house, and a huge deck on the back that has the best views. The main part is all open concept, living, dining, and kitchen. It's absolutely perfect for us!
We decided we wanted pizza for dinner so we were going to drive into Sedona but came across a cute place within walking distance here in Oak Creek called Rotten Johnny's Wood-fired Pizza. It was quite delicious!
We decided we wanted pizza for dinner so we were going to drive into Sedona but came across a cute place within walking distance here in Oak Creek called Rotten Johnny's Wood-fired Pizza. It was quite delicious!
The full moon rose and off we went to find the perfect location! Found a few...
The full moon rose and off we went to find the perfect location! Found a few...
This is one of my favorites of the night. The Chapel of the Holy Cross and the moon rising behind the Sedona red rocks. Starburst of the moon was achieved by using an f/11, ISO 200, 13 seconds.
Monday, March 9, 2020
Monday, March 9, 2020
It's a beautiful day for the Grand Canyon! But first, some great sunrise shots right here in Oak Creek from our deck. I love how the orange in the sky matches the orange rocks near and far.
It's a beautiful day for the Grand Canyon! But first, some great sunrise shots right here in Oak Creek from our deck. I love how the orange in the sky matches the orange rocks near and far.
I took both of these shots (above) from the moving car.... so they're not all that great but I just love the majesty of the snow capped mountains in the distance, and the single solitary red rock mountain in the desert between Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon. The two hour drive whizzed by because there was so much to look at! Good thing I wasn't driving this time....
I took both of these shots (above) from the moving car.... so they're not all that great but I just love the majesty of the snow capped mountains in the distance, and the single solitary red rock mountain in the desert between Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon. The two hour drive whizzed by because there was so much to look at! Good thing I wasn't driving this time....
The South Rim of the Grand Canyon Park was super crowded today! Not sure why, but as we waited in a mile-long line to enter the park we commented on all the states represented by noting the license plates. Some nearby (New Mexico, California....) and some not so near like Georgia! Once in the park, we found our way to the El Tovar Restaurant and Hotel for lunch. We got the best seat in the house somehow! What a view! Hard to tell from the picture below but it was a beautiful view of the top of the canyon, and the food was amazing too!
The South Rim of the Grand Canyon Park was super crowded today! Not sure why, but as we waited in a mile-long line to enter the park we commented on all the states represented by noting the license plates. Some nearby (New Mexico, California....) and some not so near like Georgia! Once in the park, we found our way to the El Tovar Restaurant and Hotel for lunch. We got the best seat in the house somehow! What a view! Hard to tell from the picture below but it was a beautiful view of the top of the canyon, and the food was amazing too!
The Canyon photos don't do it justice. If you've ever been there, you know what I mean. If you haven't been there, GO!
The Canyon photos don't do it justice. If you've ever been there, you know what I mean. If you haven't been there, GO!
Wildlife sightings.... birds and more birds! Elk, mule deer, mules, and even a pair of coyotes (no picture of the coyotes - we've all seen them anyway!)
Wildlife sightings.... birds and more birds! Elk, mule deer, mules, and even a pair of coyotes (no picture of the coyotes - we've all seen them anyway!)
These two were doing a lot of 'necking'....
These two were doing a lot of 'necking'....
There's a train that runs through the park called the Grand Canyon Railway. It was built originally in 1901 and it runs along a 64-mile track between Williams, Arizona, and the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.
There's a train that runs through the park called the Grand Canyon Railway. It was built originally in 1901 and it runs along a 64-mile track between Williams, Arizona, and the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.
After the Grand Canyon, we thought it would be a beautiful sunset and moon rise from the Sedona Airport Lookout/Vortex center so we drove back to Sedona in time to catch the show. Hmmmmmmm. Definitely NOT good vibes since it clouded up and neither the sun nor moon were visible! (below)
After the Grand Canyon, we thought it would be a beautiful sunset and moon rise from the Sedona Airport Lookout/Vortex center so we drove back to Sedona in time to catch the show. Hmmmmmmm. Definitely NOT good vibes since it clouded up and neither the sun nor moon were visible! (below)
Julie made us dinner tonight. Just my style! And perfect after a filling lunch. I think I'll do a little Yoga tonight and try and find a random vortex.... yes, the Airbnb provided yoga mats!
Julie made us dinner tonight. Just my style! And perfect after a filling lunch. I think I'll do a little Yoga tonight and try and find a random vortex.... yes, the Airbnb provided yoga mats!
Julie took this beautiful panorama from our vantage point from the walking path.
Tuesday, March 10, 2020
Tuesday, March 10, 2020
RAIN in the desert!
RAIN in the desert!
Up and up and up, around switchbacks and the curviest mountain roads I've seen in a very long time! And mind you, it was raining. We got to the top (we thought) and found the Grand Hotel. This hotel was built in 1926, and also hosts the Asylum Restaurant. Of course we parked and explored! The hotel's reputation (and the rest of the town for that matter) is that it is very haunted. Booooo!
Up and up and up, around switchbacks and the curviest mountain roads I've seen in a very long time! And mind you, it was raining. We got to the top (we thought) and found the Grand Hotel. This hotel was built in 1926, and also hosts the Asylum Restaurant. Of course we parked and explored! The hotel's reputation (and the rest of the town for that matter) is that it is very haunted. Booooo!
What do a couple of #SolarSisters do on a rainy day? Take a drive out to Jerome, AZ, ("the wickedest town in the west") of course! And scale a mountain in our car. Yikes what a place! If you want some adventure that's out of the ordinary, venture out to Jerome. It's a ghost town... a copper mining town from the early 1900s that was closed in 1952. Now it's booming again as a tourist attraction.
What do a couple of #SolarSisters do on a rainy day? Take a drive out to Jerome, AZ, ("the wickedest town in the west") of course! And scale a mountain in our car. Yikes what a place! If you want some adventure that's out of the ordinary, venture out to Jerome. It's a ghost town... a copper mining town from the early 1900s that was closed in 1952. Now it's booming again as a tourist attraction.
After a nice, leisurely drive from Sedona through the towns of Cottonwood and Clarkdale, we arrived at the outskirts of Jerome. It was raining and very cloudy.... and we knew there were mountains to the west but couldn't see the tops.
After a nice, leisurely drive from Sedona through the towns of Cottonwood and Clarkdale, we arrived at the outskirts of Jerome. It was raining and very cloudy.... and we knew there were mountains to the west but couldn't see the tops.
Note the Ouija board sign on the table! It was all rather creepy and ghostly...
The view from in front of the Grand Hotel looking down. This was taken at a quick break in the clouds....
A very narrow and rainy driveway
The rock faces were so steep they secured many of the hillsides with this kind of wire mesh.
We headed down a ways to the Bordello, which used to be a bordello but is now a restaurant. This tiny place with only seven tables was a hidden gem! Nice service and servers, ambiance, and delicious, quirky food. If you have a few minutes to entertain yourself, read the menu! Fabulous salad dressing - it was the most delicious apricot-jalapeno dressing I've ever had! The restaurant owner didn't want to give us the complete recipe but she did give us some helpful ingredients. Note to self: try to duplicate at home! Pay no attention to the spelling errors and typos! :)
We headed down a ways to the Bordello, which used to be a bordello but is now a restaurant. This tiny place with only seven tables was a hidden gem! Nice service and servers, ambiance, and delicious, quirky food. If you have a few minutes to entertain yourself, read the menu! Fabulous salad dressing - it was the most delicious apricot-jalapeno dressing I've ever had! The restaurant owner didn't want to give us the complete recipe but she did give us some helpful ingredients. Note to self: try to duplicate at home! Pay no attention to the spelling errors and typos! :)
These stairs led to the "rooms" in the bordello in the past.
Gyros plate
Falafel Pita
There were several old antique cars parked around town, like this one.
There were several old antique cars parked around town, like this one.
While shopping, we found some amazing clay figurines made by a local woman. Janie Layers is a sculptor of a huge variety of small and large whimsical artistic sculpture. We went to her gallery and Julie fell in love with this one - a beautiful moose with copper tones that she needed to have! (I don't blame her!)
While shopping, we found some amazing clay figurines made by a local woman. Janie Layers is a sculptor of a huge variety of small and large whimsical artistic sculpture. We went to her gallery and Julie fell in love with this one - a beautiful moose with copper tones that she needed to have! (I don't blame her!)
Meet Tuzi-Moose who Julie named for Tuzigoot which you will read about below!
On the way back to Sedona, we visited Tuzigoot (hence the moose's name) which is Apache for "crooked water" and is what's left of a Sinagua village from 1000-1400 A.D. The original pueblo was two stories high, with 87 rooms. It was added on to over the years and was inhabited by anywhere from 50 people to 200 people at any given time. It stands about 120 feet above the Verde Valley and has a spectacular view of the area.
On the way back to Sedona, we visited Tuzigoot (hence the moose's name) which is Apache for "crooked water" and is what's left of a Sinagua village from 1000-1400 A.D. The original pueblo was two stories high, with 87 rooms. It was added on to over the years and was inhabited by anywhere from 50 people to 200 people at any given time. It stands about 120 feet above the Verde Valley and has a spectacular view of the area.
After our visit to Tuzigoot we went down into the Red Rock State Park. Spectacular views from this 286 acre nature preserve. After a day of rain, the red rocks were really shining bright red. We're looking forward to getting more "up close and personal" to some of these rock formations on our Jeep Tour.
After our visit to Tuzigoot we went down into the Red Rock State Park. Spectacular views from this 286 acre nature preserve. After a day of rain, the red rocks were really shining bright red. We're looking forward to getting more "up close and personal" to some of these rock formations on our Jeep Tour.
This structure (below) was a mystery. It looks like a brand new home somebody is building on stilts on the sheer cliff face of this gorgeous red rock. Why, you ask? We're truly not sure. The home is called Red Rock Point according to the sign at the bottom of the cliff but I can't find any info on it. It kind of bothers us as this private house really messes with the beauty of the landscape.
This structure (below) was a mystery. It looks like a brand new home somebody is building on stilts on the sheer cliff face of this gorgeous red rock. Why, you ask? We're truly not sure. The home is called Red Rock Point according to the sign at the bottom of the cliff but I can't find any info on it. It kind of bothers us as this private house really messes with the beauty of the landscape.
Tonight we stayed in as it is still raining and there's more weather to come. Hard to believe we came to the desert to get rained out! We may go Vortex hunting tomorrow. Stay tuned.
Tonight we stayed in as it is still raining and there's more weather to come. Hard to believe we came to the desert to get rained out! We may go Vortex hunting tomorrow. Stay tuned.
Wednesday, March 11, 2020
Wednesday, March 11, 2020
We started off the day leisurely, watching the rain...then went lunching and shopping. Lunch at The Hudson, in town Sedona. We both had spicy corn chowder, and shared an artichoke-spinach dip. Excellent!
We started off the day leisurely, watching the rain...then went lunching and shopping. Lunch at The Hudson, in town Sedona. We both had spicy corn chowder, and shared an artichoke-spinach dip. Excellent!
Next door neighbor's back porch - something yellow is blooming!
Next door neighbor's back porch - something yellow is blooming!
Also the neighbor's porch - nobody is living there right now so we're not being creepy, I promise!
Also the neighbor's porch - nobody is living there right now so we're not being creepy, I promise!
Maybe I found a VORTEX. This just worked out so perfectly. Taken from the paperwork that came with the sandpainting....
"The sandpainting originates from Navajo healing ceremonies. The medicine man builds a sandpainting and places the patient in the middle of it. To aid in the healing process, sand from the sandpainting is rubbed over certain parts of the patient's body. When the ceremony is over, the sandpainting is destroyed, taking the illness with it. Modern sandpaintings are very detailed and colorful. The designs carry special meanings and subjects familiar to the Navajo people. The colored sand comes from many different sources such as colored rocks, roots, flowers, sand, bark, ashes, and cactus. This amazing and complex Navajo symbol of healing has been broadened into a unique art form to be appreciated by many."
"The sandpainting originates from Navajo healing ceremonies. The medicine man builds a sandpainting and places the patient in the middle of it. To aid in the healing process, sand from the sandpainting is rubbed over certain parts of the patient's body. When the ceremony is over, the sandpainting is destroyed, taking the illness with it. Modern sandpaintings are very detailed and colorful. The designs carry special meanings and subjects familiar to the Navajo people. The colored sand comes from many different sources such as colored rocks, roots, flowers, sand, bark, ashes, and cactus. This amazing and complex Navajo symbol of healing has been broadened into a unique art form to be appreciated by many."
Then we did a little shopping. We stumbled across Garland's store, which has Navajo rugs, jewelry, sand paintings, and all kinds of really beautiful quality native American goods. I wanted one of everything, but I found this little 4x4" square sand painting that just spoke to me. Each one in the store was different, and this was my favorite and I had no idea why. Turns out, it is Father Sky in the (feminine "Mother Sky"?) because it has a square head (female) instead of a round head (male.) The store owner told the story of these paintings. The stars, moon, sun, and constellations are depicted inside the body of Mother Sky. The zigzag across her shoulders, arms and legs form the Milky Way. The half-oval at the bottom represent all things of the earth that grow, mature, bear fruit, and fall...and return back to the source from which they came. Could this be any more perfect for Julie and me?! #SolarSisters
Then we did a little shopping. We stumbled across Garland's store, which has Navajo rugs, jewelry, sand paintings, and all kinds of really beautiful quality native American goods. I wanted one of everything, but I found this little 4x4" square sand painting that just spoke to me. Each one in the store was different, and this was my favorite and I had no idea why. Turns out, it is Father Sky in the (feminine "Mother Sky"?) because it has a square head (female) instead of a round head (male.) The store owner told the story of these paintings. The stars, moon, sun, and constellations are depicted inside the body of Mother Sky. The zigzag across her shoulders, arms and legs form the Milky Way. The half-oval at the bottom represent all things of the earth that grow, mature, bear fruit, and fall...and return back to the source from which they came. Could this be any more perfect for Julie and me?! #SolarSisters
Evidently this is the "rainy season" in Sedona, and the creek got out! Here in Oak Creek Canyon, people who live along the river are doing their annual preparations for flooding. To us, it was absolutely beautiful to see water in this usually dry area. Julie and I ventured out early afternoon to drive up Arizona 89A which follows the creek (which looks like a raging rapid river today!) Beautiful waterfalls pop up that only happen once a year, like you'll see in this video.
Evidently this is the "rainy season" in Sedona, and the creek got out! Here in Oak Creek Canyon, people who live along the river are doing their annual preparations for flooding. To us, it was absolutely beautiful to see water in this usually dry area. Julie and I ventured out early afternoon to drive up Arizona 89A which follows the creek (which looks like a raging rapid river today!) Beautiful waterfalls pop up that only happen once a year, like you'll see in this video.
IMG_5168.MOV
Driving back toward Sedona, Julie and I were craving freshly-baked, homemade cookies. We found a fantastic, cozy little spot, The Butterfly Garden Inn and crossed our fingers that maybe they'd have cookies! Again, I think the Vortex was with us....
Driving back toward Sedona, Julie and I were craving freshly-baked, homemade cookies. We found a fantastic, cozy little spot, The Butterfly Garden Inn and crossed our fingers that maybe they'd have cookies! Again, I think the Vortex was with us....
Just in time before the Chapel closed, (from our first night - the Chapel of the Holy Cross) we drove up to take a look. What a view, even in the drizzling rain!
Just in time before the Chapel closed, (from our first night - the Chapel of the Holy Cross) we drove up to take a look. What a view, even in the drizzling rain!
Tomorrow may be another explore day, or it might be a jeep tour, depending on the weather. Read it here first!
Tomorrow may be another explore day, or it might be a jeep tour, depending on the weather. Read it here first!
Thursday, March 12, 2020
Thursday, March 12, 2020
The "good" off road jeep tours weren't running today because of the flooding so we went exploring on our own. We're hoping Saturday clears up and the floods subside.
The "good" off road jeep tours weren't running today because of the flooding so we went exploring on our own. We're hoping Saturday clears up and the floods subside.
According to Hopi legend, this rock formation is called Kachina Woman. This is a Vortex, and she is the Guardian of the Galaxy and Boynton Canyon.
After a quick trip to the local market (Clark's Market in Oak Creek) we decided to venture up another northbound road toward a hotel called Enchantment Resort. We were just going to turn around when the guard at the gate of this 5-star resort told us the restaurants and gift shop were open to the public! YES please! We ended up exploring up there, shopping, and having a spectacular lunch with unparalleled views. SCORE! Again, the "vorteces are with us"... we got the best seat in the house for lunch - the corner table with 180 degree views! Julie had the street tacos and I had the upscale version of a Sonoran Dog. So good!
After a quick trip to the local market (Clark's Market in Oak Creek) we decided to venture up another northbound road toward a hotel called Enchantment Resort. We were just going to turn around when the guard at the gate of this 5-star resort told us the restaurants and gift shop were open to the public! YES please! We ended up exploring up there, shopping, and having a spectacular lunch with unparalleled views. SCORE! Again, the "vorteces are with us"... we got the best seat in the house for lunch - the corner table with 180 degree views! Julie had the street tacos and I had the upscale version of a Sonoran Dog. So good!
Montezuma Castle was next. This is an ancient dwelling site of the Sinagua people from 1100 to 1425 AD. It has between 45 and 60 rooms, and was built over a period of about 300 years. There are adjacent dwellings too, in the same rock face. We called them the "time out rooms" because they look tiny, but visitors don't get to go up to the castle anymore (not since the 1950s!) The people of the area farmed the land between the nearby river and their homes. There are other dwelling places in surrounding areas too, such as Montezuma Well, which is about 11 miles north. I love the trees in the area. They are white, twisted and smooth and absolutely beautiful. We asked the friendly park ranger about these trees and learned that they are Arizona Sycamore. These are fascinating trees that have a root system that is unique because the visible trees share root systems....so one tree might die, but because it's roots are the same as the next 20 trees, it's all considered one tree.
Montezuma Castle was next. This is an ancient dwelling site of the Sinagua people from 1100 to 1425 AD. It has between 45 and 60 rooms, and was built over a period of about 300 years. There are adjacent dwellings too, in the same rock face. We called them the "time out rooms" because they look tiny, but visitors don't get to go up to the castle anymore (not since the 1950s!) The people of the area farmed the land between the nearby river and their homes. There are other dwelling places in surrounding areas too, such as Montezuma Well, which is about 11 miles north. I love the trees in the area. They are white, twisted and smooth and absolutely beautiful. We asked the friendly park ranger about these trees and learned that they are Arizona Sycamore. These are fascinating trees that have a root system that is unique because the visible trees share root systems....so one tree might die, but because it's roots are the same as the next 20 trees, it's all considered one tree.
Montezuma Well is about 11 miles north of Montezuma Castle and also has cliff dwellings surrounding a crater-like lake. This naturally forming limestone sinkhole moves 1,500,000 gallons of water each day from an underground spring. The lake is 386 ft. in diameter and you can walk about 2/3 of the way around it on a path. The reflections in the water are beautiful! Interestingly enough, there are no fish in this water. It is highly carbonated and contains high levels of arsenic. Migrating waterfowl hang out on the surface, and there are diatom (microalgae), the Montezuma Well springsnail, a water scorpion, the Hyalella montezuma amphipod, and the Motobdella montezuma leech.
Montezuma Well is about 11 miles north of Montezuma Castle and also has cliff dwellings surrounding a crater-like lake. This naturally forming limestone sinkhole moves 1,500,000 gallons of water each day from an underground spring. The lake is 386 ft. in diameter and you can walk about 2/3 of the way around it on a path. The reflections in the water are beautiful! Interestingly enough, there are no fish in this water. It is highly carbonated and contains high levels of arsenic. Migrating waterfowl hang out on the surface, and there are diatom (microalgae), the Montezuma Well springsnail, a water scorpion, the Hyalella montezuma amphipod, and the Motobdella montezuma leech.
Both of these historic places are complete misnomers. Montezuma, the Aztec emperor was never here and had no connection to the site or the early indigenous peoples that occupied the area. And, it is far from a castle...it's basically an ancient condo building!
Both of these historic places are complete misnomers. Montezuma, the Aztec emperor was never here and had no connection to the site or the early indigenous peoples that occupied the area. And, it is far from a castle...it's basically an ancient condo building!
Friday, March 13, 2020
Friday, March 13, 2020
Today is, of course, Friday the Thirteenth - but we're renaming it "rainbow day". Feeling a bit sad that our plans to explore were hampered by rain, rain, and more rain, (even to the point of having a red mud river running down the road in front of our house) we decided to curl up with a good book and just enjoy the views from our Airbnb. In the morning it started to get lighter, even a bit of sunshine peeked through, and Julie suddenly yelled, "RAINBOW!" right out our living room window.
Today is, of course, Friday the Thirteenth - but we're renaming it "rainbow day". Feeling a bit sad that our plans to explore were hampered by rain, rain, and more rain, (even to the point of having a red mud river running down the road in front of our house) we decided to curl up with a good book and just enjoy the views from our Airbnb. In the morning it started to get lighter, even a bit of sunshine peeked through, and Julie suddenly yelled, "RAINBOW!" right out our living room window.
Photos don't do rainbows very well, unfortunately.
Photos don't do rainbows very well, unfortunately.
We got quite a bit of rest and relaxing time today, we read and watched the weather. I went out to grab a few things just before sunset and VOILA! More rainbows!!
We got quite a bit of rest and relaxing time today, we read and watched the weather. I went out to grab a few things just before sunset and VOILA! More rainbows!!
Here are a couple of my favorite photos.
Here are a couple of my favorite photos.
Tomorrow we have a jeep tour booked - but with the weather and rain this week we're not sure they'll be running on the dirt roads we want to go. We're also hopeful for clearer skies tomorrow night. Sedona is a designated dark sky city, so fingers crossed!
Tomorrow we have a jeep tour booked - but with the weather and rain this week we're not sure they'll be running on the dirt roads we want to go. We're also hopeful for clearer skies tomorrow night. Sedona is a designated dark sky city, so fingers crossed!
Saturday, March 14, 2020
Saturday, March 14, 2020
HAPPY PI DAY!
Here's proof that Sedona is a designated dark sky community. You can really tell as you look down upon the town at night - all the businesses and homes are required to use the correct outdoor lights. It really makes a HUGE difference!
Here's proof that Sedona is a designated dark sky community. You can really tell as you look down upon the town at night - all the businesses and homes are required to use the correct outdoor lights. It really makes a HUGE difference!
We took the Red Jeep Tour today - a 2 hour ride that is as harrowing as it gets! The tour we went on was called Old Bear Wallow and followed the old stagecoach road built in only 1 year in 1901. This 27 mile road between Sedona and Flagstaff was built super fast because: 1) they had free dynamite from the government, and 2) because they used miners borrowed from Jerome. We got a great history and geology lesson from our fabulous tour guide and driver, Matt. Here are a couple photos of Matt - one from the back of the jeep, and the other posing outside his red jeep.
We took the Red Jeep Tour today - a 2 hour ride that is as harrowing as it gets! The tour we went on was called Old Bear Wallow and followed the old stagecoach road built in only 1 year in 1901. This 27 mile road between Sedona and Flagstaff was built super fast because: 1) they had free dynamite from the government, and 2) because they used miners borrowed from Jerome. We got a great history and geology lesson from our fabulous tour guide and driver, Matt. Here are a couple photos of Matt - one from the back of the jeep, and the other posing outside his red jeep.
This particular jeep ride was not for the faint of heart! You had to sign a waiver to be allowed to go.... but we had a blast! What fantastic views....
This particular jeep ride was not for the faint of heart! You had to sign a waiver to be allowed to go.... but we had a blast! What fantastic views....
First we drive through Tlaquepaque, which is an art and shopping village built in the 1970s to look like a true Mexican village. It is nestled in a valley right in the town of Sedona, where huge Arizona sycamore trees grow in abundance and some trees have buildings built around them! Note the trees coming out of the roof of one building. Tlaquepaque means "best of everything."
First we drive through Tlaquepaque, which is an art and shopping village built in the 1970s to look like a true Mexican village. It is nestled in a valley right in the town of Sedona, where huge Arizona sycamore trees grow in abundance and some trees have buildings built around them! Note the trees coming out of the roof of one building. Tlaquepaque means "best of everything."
We learned a bit about the last 150 year history of Sedona, and how it got its name. Mr. & Mrs. Schnebly, who were early settlers of Sedona and Mr. Schnebly was the first postmaster, tried out several names before settling on Mrs. Schnebly's first name, Sedona! Of course before that, this area was a sacred region of the Sinagua tribe.
We learned a bit about the last 150 year history of Sedona, and how it got its name. Mr. & Mrs. Schnebly, who were early settlers of Sedona and Mr. Schnebly was the first postmaster, tried out several names before settling on Mrs. Schnebly's first name, Sedona! Of course before that, this area was a sacred region of the Sinagua tribe.
We took hundreds of photos. These are a few of the "best of".
We took hundreds of photos. These are a few of the "best of".
Some local wildlife.... Gordo (left) and mule deer (right). One of these isn't really wild....
Some local wildlife.... Gordo (left) and mule deer (right). One of these isn't really wild....
Photos of this crazy road doesn't really show the good, the bad, and the ugly, but we tried! The first one is "good" - the second one Julie took - it's definitely the "ugly"!
Photos of this crazy road doesn't really show the good, the bad, and the ugly, but we tried! The first one is "good" - the second one Julie took - it's definitely the "ugly"!
When we arrived back home tonight there was Venus shining bright in the twilight! We're seeing Orion too from time to time between the clouds. The milky way would be incredible rising from behind a red rock mountain, but it's the wrong time of year for that here, unfortunately.
When we arrived back home tonight there was Venus shining bright in the twilight! We're seeing Orion too from time to time between the clouds. The milky way would be incredible rising from behind a red rock mountain, but it's the wrong time of year for that here, unfortunately.
We're going to try and walk the subdivision tomorrow and get a better idea of the homes in the area.
We're going to try and walk the subdivision tomorrow and get a better idea of the homes in the area.
Here's an example of the dark sky from our vantage point half-way up the side of a mountain looking down on the village of Oak Creek, just outside of Sedona. This really shows how a city that pays attention to protecting the dark sky can make a difference. Oh, how I wish other cities would do this.
Here's an example of the dark sky from our vantage point half-way up the side of a mountain looking down on the village of Oak Creek, just outside of Sedona. This really shows how a city that pays attention to protecting the dark sky can make a difference. Oh, how I wish other cities would do this.
I'm about to get on my soapbox about this for a minute.... As a teacher for 20 years, I've had a multitude of students who have never seen the Milky Way, or even the circumpolar constellations (the ones that are the most easily identified and constant in our northern hemisphere sky). Over the years, I would happily show my classes my night sky and aurora photos - and they all, inevitably, think the photos are fake. Living in Chicagoland I can understand that they have never seen the aurora; but stars?! Yikes! This makes me incredibly sad. It's all part of saving our planet for future generations.
Because my family and I have always spent summer weeks in northern Michigan, it was a basic expectation to see the stars, therefore it was for my own kids, too. I'm so glad they didn't miss out on that - clear nights laying flat on the dock at Walloon Lake watching the stars and meteor showers. This is, and always will be, one of my favorite things to do. But for the vast majority of kids and adults that have never seen it, I feel sorry.
I know there are movements across the country to create local viewing areas where the night sky is still visible, away from ambient light. Let's keep this movement growing. If you're still reading this and agree with me, you can visit Mary Stewart Adams' FB page @storytellersnightsky, or https://www.darksky.org/our-work/conservation/idsp/ to learn more.
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