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

Golfed, Hiked, and Biked

We have had a few busy days.  Monday we golfed, Tuesday we hiked and Wednesday we biked.  All these in temperatures that ranged from 30 to 35 degrees C and under brilliant blue skies.

The golf day was a bit of a day off compared to the Piestewa hike the previous day.  Mike did the research and we chose Paradise Valley.  It is an executive, 4145 yard course, with mostly par 3’s and 4’s, with a single par 5.  We only paid $30 each including a pull cart.  (We chose to walk so we could call it exercise.)  When I asked if it was the senior rate, the pro shop the gentleman replied, “Sir, at Paradise Valley we are all seniors!”

We Had The Hole Surrounded

The Duck Wanted to Caddy

It is Not Good To See Your Form in a Photo

Our Gallery

We Were Ignored by the Turtles

We all had some good shots to talk about and some poor ones to forget.  The fairways were hard and produced some good bounces and we think the desert air might have added to our distances off the tee.  One drive was reported to have cleared the 250-yard green but then again, none of our eyes could definitively say it didn’t bounce an awful lot.  All in all it wasn’t a bad day for a walk.

On Tuesday we hiked the desert Peralta Trail just outside of Apache Junction. It is highly rated by Trip Advisor and the fact it was in Apache Junction meant we could repair to recommended Dirt Water Dick’s Tavern and Restaurant immediately following for hydration.  Hydration would be important in the 33 C, with extremely dry air.

We left the condo around 9:30 am. (Yes, I set an alarm to be ready that early), and drove 50 minutes east to the trailhead.  We had our choice of numerous trails and chose the Peralta for its relatively short distance up (about 5 k each way), with an elevation change of around 500 meters.  It was advertised as being quite strenuous but with an end view worth all the effort.  After dutifully registering we set off on the rocky trail.    

Every Dark Line is a Different Trail

It is spring in the mountains with lots of colour everywhere.  I am not sure the pictures truly reflect the scene.  I also suspect the new scrub plant greens and all the blues, fuschias, yellows, oranges, reds, and purples of the wild flowers will be short-lived as the temperatures soar and the ground dries. 

When we finally reached the trail end, “Saddle”, the view was truly breathtaking.  We posed for pictures and started our descent.  Some of us struggled going up and some going down.  Peralta is not a hard packed surface.  There is high stepping over and on rocks on the way up and small measured steps on the way down.  All four of us were relieved to reach the car at the end and were all proud of our accomplishment.  After a short stop at Dirt Water Dick’s it was home for some pool time and more hydration.

Almost There - Target Little Tree in Distance

Made It!

Well Worth the Work

Met a New Friend On Way Home

Wednesday was a biking day.  The Phoenix area is well set up for biking.  The city has many defined bike lanes and off road paved bike paths.  We started with a loose plan but quickly adapted to what was in front of us and headed north on a paved trail.  We stopped a local biker and discovered we were on our way to “Reach 11” on the north side of Scottsdale.  The area is accessed by a paved trail and then you are faced with a hard packed trail network of desert choices.  The local we met described it as an area you could ride “forever”.  We didn’t choose “forever” but chose a path and a predetermined distance to direct our return.  There was lots of desert vegetation and many warnings to be watchful for rattle snakes and scorpions off the trails. 

The trip was not without challenges.  We had four flat tires and only carried two new tubes.  Unfortunately the McWhinney’s had three of the flats and only had one extra tube.  Fortunately, mechanic Mike had a tube patching kit and made relatively short work of the repairs.  The Keys on the other hand discovered our CO2 gas canisters for refilling tubes had leaked and since we don’t carry a pump, were much relieved the McWhinneys did.  We only ended up travelling 37 k but under 35C heat, it was a good effort.

Luckily We Found a Bunker Tunnel for a Fixit Shop!

Smiling - Before Three More Flat Tires

Thursday is a day trip to Sedona.  It is to be a 38C+ day here so we are looking forward to the cooler temperatures of the mountains.  Maybe we will hike, maybe we will just ride in an air-conditioned car.  It is to be determined.

Hike to Piestewa (Squaw) Peak

Today’s physical activity was a hike. There are many peaks to choose from around the Phoenix general area. Mike researched local hikes and we decided on the “moderate” rated Piestewa Peak, locally known as “Squaw” peak. It described it as short (1.6 km) climb but very taxing. It also included a warning, “Hikers, walkers, sightseers and runners alike flock to this prominent peak like moths to a flame, drawn here in part because of it proximity to the city of Phoenix.” In other words, be warned it is a busy trail. Regardless and undaunted, we left the condo and drove the short distance to the trailhead.

Picking Our Route

And Away We Go

The guidebook was not exaggerating. It was Sunday morning and we had difficulty finding a parking spot. It was one busy trail.

Lots of People on the Trail

The hike became difficult at times and we were clutching at rock outcroppings just to take a step. One of the other hikers described it best when she described it as one continuous stair climber but without the uniform stair heights.

We Posed for Pics But More so for Resting

Still Working On This Selfie Thing

It took us 1 hour and 50 minutes to reach the peak. The views were amazing and the effort generated high fives all around.

We Felt Pretty Good About Our Accomplishment

After a half hour of gazing at the 360-degree views we ventured down. Coming down was a challenge. Lots of people, narrow trail, slippery gravel on slate rocks, and uneven terrain. We took our time and made the downhill in 1 hour. I’ll confess my legs were good on the way up but jelly-like on the way down. More high-fives when we got safely down but the previously planned 5 km hike around the circumference was put on hold.

Much Easier Going Down

It was home for lunch and a rest. More shopping at Albertsons’s next-door and then off to the driving range to get ready for tomorrow’s golf at 10 am.

We finished the day with a hot tub and evening cocktails.