Happy New Year
and all the best in 2015!
A decorated tree with lights that 'drip'
and Marc's rendition of light painting (spelling backwards).
Drove just over an hour and a half North to Sedona to spend four nights over Christmas. Expecting some cooler temperatures, we took the down jackets and ditched the shorts.
Booked in at La Quinta in Oak Creek (10 mins south of downtown Sedona).
First stop before checking in was breakfast at Cliff Castle Casino Hotel, 25 mins from Sedona (in Camp Verde).
The Gathering offers a fabulous buffet breakfast we happened upon (just for the holidays) and for $7.99 each we filled up and fueled up for the day (taking some along to the Hotel with us). The casino also has an all-American style malt stop with burgers, fries, malts & shakes (Johnny Rockets) with nostalgic decor. Enjoyed the corned beef hash, prickly pear honey glazed baked ham, omelet, fruit and yes, for the first time,
I tried biscuits and gravy
(not really seeing the attraction there)! White paste reminds me of the paste we used in Elementary school.
La Quinta Inn and Suites in Oak Creek was great .... a fabulous view out the window in the back, quiet and clean (not fancy but clean) and directly across the parking lot is the start of hiking/biking trails at the most popular spot - Bell Rock.(this photo courtesy of La Quinta website)
Our room was at the back, directly below these rock formations. Over the holidays $79.00 a night, no extra charge for the dogs was a great deal.
Breakfast included (although, we shopped at Whole Foods and brought our own cereal); boiled eggs, waffles, yogurt and of course, biscuits and gravy were included.
We asked to sit at a table and share as the place was packed on one particular day; we happened to know the woman with her husband, from Victoria.
Bike and Bean has relocated to just down the street and right beside our hotel. They offer group rides, repairs, rentals and of course, cappuccinos and lattes.
Bell Rock behind Marc
Took the Bell Rock Trail, then a new one called "Easy Breezy", under the road to this gorgeous Cathedral Rock (on Templeton Trail back to Bell Rock and the parking lot of the hotel).
West side of Cathedral Rock where I found a fabulously quiet dirt road that connects to Red Rock State Park. The dogs and I walked everyday out here and saw no hikers or wildlife.
At the end of the 'road' where it says NO MOTORIZED VEHICLES (obviously people drive up this bumpy road to the head of the Red Rock Park) is a private Ranch.
Complete with an electronic fence to get onto the property is this side fence which someone is painstakingly making with dry wood and barbed wire.
At the 'end' of this road and property edge, is the Red Rock Park
Enjoying dusk and sunset time
An evening at Wildflower Bakery and Talaquepaque
A Dale Chihuly display at the Wildflower Bakery. Chihuly is Tacoma, Washington born and is now a unique blown glass sculptor, taking his glass works into the realm of large-scale sculptures. His largest exhibit is found at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art. He has had displays right next door here in Phoenix but his displays are worldwide.
A view outside the Wildflower Bakery, looking over towards Oak Creek Canyon.
While visiting Sedona a must see (especially at night during Christmas Season) is the Tlaquepaque Internationally renowned Arts and Crafts Village. (pronounced Tla-keh-pah-keh).
For over 40 years the Village has been regarded as one of the most beautiful places to get married. Set in the charm of an Old Mexican Village, the chapel hosts many weddings. The original Tlaquepaque is in Guadalajara. With cobblestone streets, fountains, various patios and upper terraces, with the Red Rock surrounding the view, it is a picture perfect setting.
Speaking of fine arts and exquisite galleries; this particular sculpture is $650,000 (wondering how we could fit it on the front of the coach)! Inside is awe inspiring, to say the least.
Off to ride - starting at Chicken Point, Broken Arrow and back to the hotel.
Pink Jeep Tours take visitors on a two hour joy ride.
Marc encounters a group taking a break. A man and wife team - she is running and he, well, has no legs but is cycling up the double diamond trails with a specialized bike which enables his to rotate the wheels with his arms.
Christmas Day
the temperatures have gone to 32 at night. Today, at the head of the Aerie Trail Head the occasional, teeeeeny snowflake was coming down and a breeze made it feel cooler than it was.
Trails are superb and in great condition with very sticky surface.
Storm in the distance. The 'snow' never did happen (until the day after we left).
This Verde Valley School no longer operates but has the nicest setting I've seen for any school.
Red Planet Diner
Christmas Day, not a lot is open but, a Mexican diner and this one were busy. This is the strangest decor. .. . . all decked out in Mars and aliens flying overhead.
Our time was very short but the Sedona area is a place you can never get tired of.
Took a side trip up 89A through Cottonwood, Jerome and Prescott Valley
Breakfast in Cottonwood at the popular Georgie's Cafe.
Jerome - a view from the Haunted Hamburger
At the bottom of Prescott Valley we pass through a long section of desert with this little town in the midst.
Skull Valley is a rural, ranch community with a population of approximately 500. A school, post office, fire station, church and this closed down General Store and a Garage exist today.
Gorgeous valley heading down into Yarnell (en route to Wickenburg and back to Phoenix). Below this road is an active gold mine. Gold was first discovered in Yarnell in 1865.
Far to the left is an abandoned dairy farm owned by Shamrock Farms originally. They could no longer afford the feed to be brought into the massive farming area so relocated.
Back at Happy Trails, into the groove of the New Year.
Here until the end of January
(will post again soon as this is plenty long enough for one reading. Then headed to Tucson for a month).
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