Rick and I have seen a lot of America The Beautiful over our 35 years together. Today we revisited one of our favorite places: Arizona's Red Rock Country! It's breathtaking!
We drove out this way on our honeymoon back in 1976. Rick had been laid off from Ford for over a year, and we were on quite the budget trip. 3 weeks in a van (including sleeping) with not much more than a couple of duffel bags and a guitar! (Gas was probably under $1.00 although I was only making $2.50/hour!) Today we said what we've felt before: it was the trip of our life! We have experienced many wonderful travels since, and spent 20 times the money, but ah, going out west together the first time, exploring this fantastic part of the county may never be duplicated!
The spectacular geology of the red rocks of Sedona is, oh heck, I'll let THEIR website tell you - read part below, or click here: VISIT SEDONA
Welcome to the Official Chamber of Commerce Tourism Site!
Sedona is situated in a unique geological area that has mesmerized tourists for decades. Indeed, this picturesque city is surrounded by beloved red-rock monoliths named Coffeepot, Cathedral and Bell even Snoopy because their massive shapes resemble these distinctive objects. Also, the site of this memorable city marks the mouth of unbelievably beautiful Oak Creek Canyon, a breathtaking chasm that even today, is wildly wonderful.
Towering high above Sedona and its hallmark canyon is the geologically dominating Mogollon Rim, formed from ancient deposits of limestone, mudstone and sandstone when this area was the west coast of a still-emerging continent. This awesome rim, which constitutes the southwestern boundary of the vast Colorado Plateau, is home to the largest contiguous stand of ponderosa pine in the world and imagine, the enormous plateau extends into parts of five other states.
Note added Jan 24th: another option is to click on "The Living Desert" on the upper right-hand column of this Blog! The first minute is Red Rock Country and the Tuscon area and exactly what we have been seeing this week! (Except desert flowers are not in bloom at the moment). I love all the "My Beautiful America" links I posted there around Christmas.
One of the pleasures of Sedona is the very strict building codes they have managed to maintain. Everything has to match the surroundings. In fact, they have the only McDonalds in the world without golden arches! This location, with it's red clay building, has teal arches, and only low on the building. All the buildings blend in so nicely. Even the street and traffic lights are clay colored rather than silver steel. (OK, so they gave this flagpole a pass.)
We took the glorious drive past Sedona up to Oak Creek Canyon too. See part of the winding climb:
Stopped at a look-out, made a snowball, and left. Now THAT's Winter!
In any case, put this destination on your list of places to see!
Tonight we are back in Scottsdale, and planning to visit one of Rick's favorite ex's (bosses, that is!) GEORGE CROW who now winters in Sun City, AZ, about a half hour from here.
Ursula & George Crow, and Rick:
..come back to see more photos soon.
We drove out this way on our honeymoon back in 1976. Rick had been laid off from Ford for over a year, and we were on quite the budget trip. 3 weeks in a van (including sleeping) with not much more than a couple of duffel bags and a guitar! (Gas was probably under $1.00 although I was only making $2.50/hour!) Today we said what we've felt before: it was the trip of our life! We have experienced many wonderful travels since, and spent 20 times the money, but ah, going out west together the first time, exploring this fantastic part of the county may never be duplicated!
The spectacular geology of the red rocks of Sedona is, oh heck, I'll let THEIR website tell you - read part below, or click here: VISIT SEDONA
Welcome to the Official Chamber of Commerce Tourism Site!
Sedona is situated in a unique geological area that has mesmerized tourists for decades. Indeed, this picturesque city is surrounded by beloved red-rock monoliths named Coffeepot, Cathedral and Bell even Snoopy because their massive shapes resemble these distinctive objects. Also, the site of this memorable city marks the mouth of unbelievably beautiful Oak Creek Canyon, a breathtaking chasm that even today, is wildly wonderful. Towering high above Sedona and its hallmark canyon is the geologically dominating Mogollon Rim, formed from ancient deposits of limestone, mudstone and sandstone when this area was the west coast of a still-emerging continent. This awesome rim, which constitutes the southwestern boundary of the vast Colorado Plateau, is home to the largest contiguous stand of ponderosa pine in the world and imagine, the enormous plateau extends into parts of five other states.Note added Jan 24th: another option is to click on "The Living Desert" on the upper right-hand column of this Blog! The first minute is Red Rock Country and the Tuscon area and exactly what we have been seeing this week! (Except desert flowers are not in bloom at the moment). I love all the "My Beautiful America" links I posted there around Christmas.
One of the pleasures of Sedona is the very strict building codes they have managed to maintain. Everything has to match the surroundings. In fact, they have the only McDonalds in the world without golden arches! This location, with it's red clay building, has teal arches, and only low on the building. All the buildings blend in so nicely. Even the street and traffic lights are clay colored rather than silver steel. (OK, so they gave this flagpole a pass.)
We took the glorious drive past Sedona up to Oak Creek Canyon too. See part of the winding climb:
Stopped at a look-out, made a snowball, and left. Now THAT's Winter!
In any case, put this destination on your list of places to see!
Tonight we are back in Scottsdale, and planning to visit one of Rick's favorite ex's (bosses, that is!) GEORGE CROW who now winters in Sun City, AZ, about a half hour from here.
Ursula & George Crow, and Rick:
..come back to see more photos soon.
_____________________________________
.JPG)
