Sedona

Driving into Sedona is a real treat!  Just so darn beautiful.  This is one place we could spend a week enjoying the exceptional scenery.   We are staying at a Wyndham for four nights with a great view out our balcony.  We did a CD guided driving tour of the Sedona area and a short walk up to the "Bell Rock" formation.  We've been to Cathedral Rock,  Frank Lloyd Wright Chapel on the mountain, the Airport mesa "vortex", Boynton Canyon and Red Rock Loop drive.  All great places and would recommend the CD tour.  There is also a trolley that covers some of these spots.  A "vortex" is a big deal in Sedona---a location with lots of energy to help you to find your inner self.  We were at three of these areas and so far neither of us is feeling any new vibes!  We'll keep you posted!

There was a geology talk at the Wyndham in the evening which was so well done.  We drove up Oak Creek Canyon Wednesday which is another "not to be missed".  We stopped at Tlaquepaque --shopping area made to look like Mexican village.  This was very relaxing and pretty.  Tonight we went to a taco party and we were able to compare notes with other travelers--lots of good ideas!

There are so many beautiful hiking trails here.... over 500 miles.  Wish we had time to do more.  My back started complaining about all the hiking but resting and a daily jacuzzi in our room have me almost back to normal.

Verde Canyon Railroad was the great adventure of today (Thurs)---we got basically free tickets for listening to a time share pitch.  The first class coach was so comfortable with soft easy chairs, champagne and snacks.  There was a commentary as we travelled 4 hours and since it was 72 degrees we were able to go to the outside open railcar to get a 360 view of the beautiful Sycamore canyon.  A naturalist was aboard each coach to answer questions. Saw two pair of bald eagles along with great scenery. Well worth the cost even at no discount.   There was a wedding on board the train--the last car was the wedding party! The picture of the caboose was taken while the train was stopped and the ceremony in progress.

Tomorrow we leave for San Antonio, Texas and we'll be camping for four days so not sure it we'll have internet.  We have been pleasantly surprised in the most isolated camping areas--we have internet and Verizon--who knew!

The last two pics are from our balcony.








Addendum: As we left Sedona we hiked Boynton Canyon, a beautiful canyon just west of the city with an exclusive Enchantment Resort on the valley floor at the canyon entrance. You can hike up the canyon beside the lodge and look down on the resort while passing.

C at Boynton Canyon

P at Boynton Canyon

Phoenix--and Molly's Birth!

Last night at Quartzsite

Today we were awakened by the great news that MISS MOLLY SCHMITT has arrived!  Carrie and Molly doing fine.  She has black hair like Nate!  We are getting pictures of the happy family and all is well.  We will be there in about 2  1/2 weeks and can't wait to meet her!

The campsite we left at Quartzsite

We met with my cousin Barb Dysart for brunch and had a great time catching up and then continued on our way to Phoenix Botanical Gardens--really great display of desert plants with Chihuly glass (sp?) display--wonderful!  On to Lost Dutchman State Park--and it is so scenic.  Legend has it that a miner struck it rich hitting the mother lode. After working the mine he hid his treasure in the mine and then hid the entrance and went to town. He lost his life having never told a sole of the mine's location and it has never been found. All those millions are in these mountains near us at our campsite, if only ....... We are looking up at beautiful mountains and a fabulous sunset.  Barb asked us which place has been our favorite so far and we both agree--EVERYPLACE is our favorite.

We hiked up the mountain into a canyon (to look for that gold) and saw a rattlesnake off the trail.  Would have been scarier but it was dead--we think--didn't stay around to find out!  Stopped at old ghost mining town turned "touristy" but still really neat.  Our culinary highlight of the week was eating at the "In and Out Berger" in Phoenix---it really was good!  We stopped at Montezuma's Castle on the way to Sedona per Barb's suggestion.  It is ancient Indian dwellings built into cliffs about 50 feet from the ground.  Well worth the time.  Sedona is next and out of the Bailey Buggy and into the Wyndham Resort for four nights.  :)  Life is so good!

Chihuly at Botanical Garden

Lost Dutchman campsite

Sunset at Lost Dutchman

Arizona Desert--Boondocking!

I never thought I would be doing this--but we left the luxury of Kris's home to camp in the desert in the BLM areas (Bureau of Land Management)-- "camp areas"that are ALL over the west.  This is called "dispersed camping"...for you brave young wanderers!   It has only a rock fire pit and a dusty road... no water or electricity.  There were about 10 RV's around us and neat scenery.  People are very nice and gave us great information.  We hiked in the desert a short while and back to the RV for "dinner and a movie".  Any experience that can make a man "rave" about how good Tuna Helper is is a winner.   Pete turned our inverter on and we watched DVD of Rainman!

Craggy Wash Ariz. Campsite

We woke up to a saddled horse nearby and Pete explored the situation.  The horse was Anna and her rider was Jeremiah Brinkley who is referenced on the web.  If you want to know more--click the link.
Anyway, he has been riding his horse (this is the fourth one) for 25 years for 30,000 miles with all his belongings on Anna.  He just came from Missouri.  He reads his Bible--"the only book he needs" and taught his horse to eat anything including vegetables, bananas and cinnamon rolls. .. maybe even  from dumpsters. The diet is fortified with desert scrub plants.  He was once stopped on Interstate 40 by a cruiser who pulled him over saying "don't worry, it's not illegal to ride next to the highway, I just couldn't believe anyone would do it and wanted to talk to you"!  Jeremiah was very nice and a bunch of us enjoyed his company.  After we finish touring with the RV, maybe touring on horseback?

Our next adventure

Jeremiah Brinkley at Craggy Wash

Next was 2 hour drive to Lake Havasu City which is a large lake formed by a dam on the Colorado River in the middle of the desert.  It is a huge recreation area made famous by it's London Bridge.  It was torn down in London, brought over here and reconstructed by Mr. McCullouch (famous for chain saws and outboard motors).  It was constructed on totally dry land and then later a canal was dredged from the lake to provide "water under the bridge"! the canal created an island and the bridge goes to the island with beautiful homes.

London Bridge Lake Havasu City

On to the desert town of Quartzsite with beautiful sunset, Saguaro Cactus, and Mesquite trees.  This area is famous for 100,000 RVers who come to spend the winter here.  Right now, nice and quiet.

Quartzsite campsite

..

Las Vegas--Part Two

Here we are in "sin city" and going to church, grocery and hanging around Kris's beautiful home reading historical novels!  So much for the wild life!  The three of us went to see musical "Million Dollar Quartet" last night at Harrah's per Len Hibbards recommendation.  He is is on a roll, two for two with great entertainment tips!  We LOVED the show--so much fun, singing was terrific and all live music.  We had our picture taken with a couple of the stars!

Today (Monday) had a another breakfast feast and did some home projects with Kris.  I took a nap in her hammock that she uses for a bed and it was so comfortable!  Dinner with my cousin Nancy and her husband Dana and caught up with our family news.

We have had such a GREAT time with Kris,  She has taken such good care of us and we made some wonderful memories.  Her home is just lovely and she has worked so hard.  We thought you might like to see some pictures of her efforts!  Now we are rested up, well fed and ready to leave on the last half of our adventure as we move on to Arizona!  Bailey will be sad to leave her buddy Bonito--Kris's puppy.

Kris' home

Poolside covered patio

The picture says it all

The dogs love the patio too

Kris at Million Dollar Quartet

Not sure about internet access for the next few days. We'll be out in the desert boonies boondocking until leaving for Phoenix on the 26th.

Las Vegas with daughter Kris!

Arrived 10-16  and straight to Kris's new home!  She looked great and what a wonderful job she has done re-doing her home!  It is just perfect size, location great and her new purchases make everything look so welcoming!  Kris kept Bailey for us and we proceeded to the Riviera Casino for two free nights which Pete had arranged.  She joined us in the evening to celebrate  Pete's birthday.  Her guided tour of the Wynn and Encore added so much.  Beautiful garden area and huge outdoor water screen with performances every 15 minutes--see picture below.  Both hotels were just over the top gorgeous!  We took the birthday boy to the Wynn buffet and spent 2  1/2 hours enjoying great food and conversation.  What a treat that was.  A birthday to remember!

At the Wynn

Kris' Home

Parasol illumination at the Wynn

Today we saw the Mac King show at Harrah's complements of our good friend Len Hibbard.  He recommended this comedy magic show and it was great fun.  We loved it.  He told us to look for the handsome bald usher Robert and ask for booth seating.  We were to encourage this with a $5 bill which
worked beautifully and we were sitting pretty!  Wonderful salmon dinner later at at Kris's  and the next day off to Valley of Fire one hour north of Las Vegas for some hiking.

Kris fixed us a "hiking man's" breakfast and at the crack of 11am we were off to the Valley of Fire park 1 hour north of Las Vegas.  It was full of red rock formations and we hiked the Mouse's tank trail on sand--like the beach but red sand!  The next hike was the White Dome's trail--that was beautiful.  It was 78 degrees and that was hot enough!  The sky is SO blue here that it doesn't look real!  A nice picnic lunch to prop us up for the drive home---especially nice since Kris did all the driving--and we arrived home just in time for our 5 pm nap!  Tonight Kris and Pete are making chile and homemade peanut butter with honey roasted nuts.  I'm sure a peanut butter chocolate milkshake will be necessary to fuel us for tomorrows activities!

Valley of Fire

Valley of Fire

Valley of Fire

Zion--Maybe the best park so far!

Grateful that Zion opened up!  What an experience.  We came in from the east entrance from Bryce and it was astonishing!  It was so unusual looking that we FORGOT to take pictures on the way in but we don't think it is possible to capture this area on camera.  We went through the mile long tunnel and out into another different landscape.  Route 9 runs through the park and we left through the south entrance but it was not nearly as spectacular as coming in from the east... and totally different in that this is where the outfitters are and there is a lot of interesting stuff to do if you want a diversion from the park.

Zion was busy--parking lots almost full as were campgrounds--wouldn't like to be here during high season.  It is very well organized.  The Watchman campground is very nice and takes reservations--we didn't do but wish we had.  Instead we stayed at the South Campground first come first served. They have a free Shuttle that starts at Visitor center and goes up into the beautiful canyons.  We hiked a 3.7 mile (easy) River Trail at the last stop.  This trail led to the "Narrows"--you start wading up the river with rented waterproof pants, shoes and walking sticks.  Get all this gear at town at south entrance. Looked cold!  The shuttle makes about 8 stops and you can get on and off--runs every 10 min with recorded commentary.

Trail to the Narrows

As far as we went on the Narrows trail

We saw a man climbing up a 1000 foot very vertical canyon face.  Looked impossible!  We stopped at the Lodge stop and hiked the Emerald trail and stopped with many others to view a very large spider---Carrie don't read this part!  Turned out it was a tarantula --a small one per the ranger--bigger hairy ones are in Arizona.

Nice thing about this park was a dog friendly bike/hike trail right out of campground.  It ran along the Virgin river and was lovely--no one on it.  Everyone must be riding the shuttle!

C & B on trail

Along Virgin river trail

Along Virgin River trail

P & B along Virgin River trail

On to Las Vegas to see our darling Kris!

















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Arrived at Bryce Canyon, Utah! and Kodachrome State ParkBryce

Left Capitol Reef National Park and drove scenic highway #12 to Bryce.  Went through Ponderosa pine and yellow Aspen forests.  Stopped to hike a bit then onto a narrow road on the crest of mountain that dropped straight down 600 feet on both sides.  Wow!  It was a beautiful view.  Took about 4 1/2 hours to Bryce National Park which had only one campground open--about 25 sites--it was full by 4 pm so glad we were there early.  It is 45 degrees and slightly windy.  Drove to Sunrise and Sunset points and hiked on Navaho loop trail that was something else.  I swear we hiked 0.7 miles down to bottom of canyon and hiked 1.5 miles back up!  Our uphill climb was with a German second grade teacher who was teaching German children of military families in Texas.  Andrea Peters was great fun.  It started to SNOW while we were down in the canyon so we were happy to crawl back in camper and nap!  Ranger talks great!

Bryce

Bryce

Bryce Navajo Trail

Bryce Navajo Trail

Woke up to light snow—beautiful on all the pines!  We were grateful for our warm little coach and generator for hot breakfast.  We took the southern drive in the park to view all the lookouts—well worth it.  There were some areas of burns right next to beautiful pine forests.  The forest service does controlled burns here to avoid larger devastating fires and to clear the underbrush for new growth.  

Bryce burn area

Bryce with snow

Bryce

Bryce

Pretty cold here for my bones so off to Kodachrome State park!  It is only one hour from Bryce but much warmer and we were able to hike and sit out in the sun.  Bailey allowed on state park trails but not on national park trails and she and Pete are fearless--see the picture of the ridge we were on!  Again, great views everywhere you look.  The tall formations are called “hoodoos” and they make great pictures!  There is no phone or internet service here so we are “roughing it” with no electronics .  Pete tried to set up his DirecTv satellite but even that was no go.  Leaving for Zion National park in am.  

Kodachrome SP

Ridge Trail Kodachrome SP

Kodachrome SP from trail

Bryce Canyon is unlike any other place on earth!  Pictures and words just can't describe how spectacular this is.  We are SO glad Utah is funding the National parks and opened them just a few days before we arrived.  I feel like everyone should get to see these beautiful western parks during their lifetime.  What a treasure they are!



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