Day Trip - Red Rocks

Thursday was reported to be the hottest day of the week.  The temperatures in the greater Phoenix area were predicted to top 37 degrees C.  Our plan was to escape the extreme heat by taking a road trip, in the air-conditioned car, a few hundred kms north into the mountains, to the mystical city of Sedona and its red rock sandstone formations.

Sedona is popular today for hiking and biking tours but has also been the backdrop for many movies and remains a “must see” for its physical attractions.  As well, many are drawn here to experience the many “vortexes” that are said to exist in the area.  The guidebook describes the vortexes as highly concentrated sources of energy conducive to prayer, meditation, and healing.  Regardless of the modern claims, native cultures have been in the area since 9000 BC and have left much evidence of spiritual pursuits in rock drawings.

Our first stop were the outlet stores in Anthem.  New hot weather shirts, shorts, and dresses were purchased before joining other retirees picnicking in the mall children’s playground area.

Next stop was the Ranger Station at the start of the seven and a half mile, “Red Rocks Scenic Byway”, noted in the coffee table book, “Drives of a Lifetime”.  We got some very useful information about the area from and enjoyed the informative displays.

Armed With Lots of Info

Deborah's New Friend Smokey

The drive includes stops at a series of peaks and trail heads.  We stopped and took pictures but didn’t have the energy to venture down any of the trails.  Our pictures will have to tell the story.  It was truly enough just to sit back and absorb the sights.

Bell Rock

Chapel of the Holy Cross

Court House Butte

We arrived in the town centre and climbed to the Catholic Church perched high on a cliff edge.  Great view and well worth the climb.

One more stop at the city's airport, perched high on a mesa over looking the town site.

Capital Butte on left & Coffee Pot Rocks on right

We Took Our Turns Posing at this Popular Sight

On the return trip we accidentally discovered a very "kitschy" (Mike's word) little town called Cottonwood.  It was about five k off the main highway in the Verde Valley.  Our intent was to grab a bite to eat and continue back to the condo in Scottsdale.   It was a gem of a town unknown to us.  Cottonwood is over a hundred years old and has its roots in a commercial center for the areas ranching.  Today it is home to several wineries and craft beer specialists, scattered amongst numerous antique stores.  We dined at Boccie Pizza, (a certificate in the window stated, "One of the Top Fifty Restaurants in America").   After our meal we walked the small town and window shopped Fedora getting back in the car and cruising home.

Back Pumping Gas as a Teenager

Route 66 Stars

The Town Is A Step Back In Time