After we returned from our camping trip, we planned a three day trip to Sedona and the Grand Canyon. The weather was gorgeous here but we knew once we reached the Grand Canyon, we would be into some cooler weather! Out came the jeans, shoes and socks much to Corliss and my disgust. I hadn't worn pants since we returned from Yellowknife after Christmas so was not looking forward to the experience.
Before we left on our trip, we had to take pictures of Pat and Corliss picking the last of the oranges from our trees. The trees were starting to bloom with next year's crop so the oranges had to be gone
Corliss got the big orange!
This picture was taken in the parking lot of Montezuma Castle. It was a gorgeous day and going to be a warm one. Corliss, Pat and Doug in his new cowboy hat - love it!
You'll have seen these pictures in the last blog but the sun is shining this day we are here
The big, beautiful Sycamore trees are not budding yet but still look so stately. Not sure how old they are (forgot to ask) but they sure are huge!
After we left Montezuma Castle, everyone was hungry so we stopped for Indian Fry bread with sugar and cinnamon on it - all the food groups right??
We then went on to V_V Ranch which is now a historical sight and managed by the National Forest Service. It has historical petroglyphs on a wall on the ranch site. It was a lovely walk to the site and you can see the petroglyphs on the red rock
Pat and Corliss in the distance listening to the volunteer archaeologist explaining about the petroglyphs and their possible meaning. He was very interesting
The "old" man had to sit out on the bench and listen from the shade - it was a hot day for sure!
We thoroughly enjoyed this visit and the petroglyphs
Pat, Corliss, Sharon and Doug
After the petroglyphs, we then headed to Sedona where we were staying for the night. We had just turned in off the highway heading for Oak Creek where we were staying when we took this picture. It was a gorgeous day for pictures of red rocks!
Sorry if these are getting repetitious but I just can't help posting them as they are so beautiful
After we checked into our motel for the night, we headed up to the overlook by the airport to watch the sun set on the red rocks. Such a beautiful view from this site
Everywhere you looked took your breath away
Corliss and I get no peace from Doug and his camera!
Such a beautiful part of Arizona
This was looking south towards Cottonwood as the sun set. We thoroughly enjoyed our time at the overlook but were hungry and ready for dinner. The restaurant we planned on having dinner at had been recommended by Jim and Deb Mitchell when they had been at our house the week before. We searched all over for it till Corliss finally went into a little store and asked and found out it had closed for business a while ago. The next restaurant we went into had such high prices for their food, Doug just got up and said let's go! A bit embarrassing but they prices were a bit much! We ended up at a barbecue restaurant and had a great meal - by then we were so hungry we could have eaten anything!!
The next morning as we head out we just had to take more mountain pictures
Pat, Corliss and I on the lookout at the Chapel of the Holy Cross - a beautiful spot again to look out over the valley
Looking out over to Cathedral Rock
These are the rocks behind the Chapel
Looking out the glass windows from inside the chapel. It is a Catholic Chapel still in service. Can you imagine paying attention to the priest's sermon when you have a view like that to look at?
Doug and I from the overlook looking east
This is a mansion right below the chapel. I think if I had the money to buy a mansion like this, I wouldn't pick one right below a tourist spot with hundreds of thousands of people looking down at me!
After visiting the chapel, we then went to Red Rock Crossing where you get great pictures of Oak Creek and Cathedral Mountain
As we began our walk down to the river there was a heron standing in the grass, I wasn't sure at first if it was real but it flew away as I got closer so that answered my question!
Pat with Cathedral Rock behind him
An old water wheel with irrigation ditches as this park used to be a working ranch
We are now down at the river's edge with Cathedral Rock in the background. The water was running high and muddy as the northern areas of Arizona had rain a few days before we arrived and this was runoff from the mountains
It had clouded up a bit so the sky not as blue but still nice and warm
It is amazing how smooth the rocks are at the river's edge. Makes you realize how much and fast the water has run over these rocks over the years to smooth them out like this
Doug, Sharon, Corliss and Pat at Red Rock Crossing park
Just love the Juniper trees so had to stop for pictures of the mountain and the trees (Pat & Corliss)
Doug and I
Of course Pat had to ham it up and play air guitar with his walking stick!
We had a great day in Sedona and then left about 3pm and took the back road up to Flagstaff and then on to the Grand Canyon. It was a beautiful drive and we arrived in Tusayan (town about 5 miles from the Grand Canyon) in the early evening. There had been snow on the ground in shaded areas as we came though Flagstaff but Corliss and I looked the other way and figured if we ignored it, it didn't exists - right? We could also see the San Fransisco peaks just north of Flagstaff and they were also snow covered!
Once we got booked into our hotel, we went directly to the IMAX theatre and watched a great movie on the Grand Canyon. Well worth the money spent! We then had dinner at a pizza place and off to bed we went - a long but fun day!
Next morning bright and early at the Grand Canyon. Doug had to scrape ice off our truck windshield before we could leave so it was just below freezing. A bit of a breeze blowing so we wore jackets to protect ourselves. A gorgeous sunny day though
Looking down over Bright Angel trail that goes right down to the canyon bottom and the Colorado River
I am afraid you are going to see a lot of pictures because I couldn't decide which ones to pick - they are all magnificent!
This is our second time at the canyon and just as awesome as the first
Everywhere you look there is just more canyon and more views that take your breath away
These are the San Fransisco peaks in the distance. they are snow topped but hard to tell in this picture
Pat of course in shorts - he's a "he" man and not going to wear pants!
These are elk wandering around near the Grand Canyon Visitor's centre.
We did the Hermit's Rest side of the South Canyon and rode the free shuttle from one spot to the next. I think my expression is saying "Douglas would you please just sit down and put your camera way!"
Another closer view of Bright Angel trial
I think there would be a lot of training that would need to be done before you could tackle this trail!
You can see how the wind and weather shapes the trees dead or alive around the rim of the canyon
It didn't matter where we stopped and looked over, the canyon went on forever
Of course Doug has to take a picture of me taking a picture!
It is hard to tell as the water is so muddy but you can see the Colorado River down below in the right hand part of the picture
Another neat looking Juniper tree
A dead tree hanging out off the cliff edge
It is easier to see the Colorado River in this view
A good picture of the river below
Sharon, Corliss and Pat looking over the edge
We finally reached Hermit's Rest at the end of the trail on this part of the South Canyon Rim. We started out about 9am and it is now early afternoon. This is the original old stone building
Two large ravens were just waiting in the trees hoping we would feed them. No such luck as we didn't have lunch with us. Reminded us of the large ravens in Yellowknife
Our picture at the bell tower at Hermit's Rest. We had a wonderful three days of travel and lots of laughs and good memories. We have invited them back for a month next year so hope they take us up on the offer!
