Friday 15 December 2000
We flew into Pheonix from Burbank via Southwest Airlines. We got an SUV from Hertz and were on our way!
For a good first look at Sedona, go to the Airport Mesa.
None of my shots really captured the panorama from
there so you just got to go see for yourself!
Our first dinner was at the Orchard's Grill were we
met up with my co-worker and her family.
Saturday 16 December 2000
Our townhome was located in the village of Oak Creek which is south of Sedona. We got up before the sunrise Saturday AM and hit the road going north on 179. We thought about watching the sun come up from Bell Rock but we realized the view from there didn't look that promising. Harold and I have been on photo expeditions before and we sized up the situation and decided to head for Cathedral Rock.
Often times looking directly into the rising sun doesn't provide as interesting a picture as the way the light plays on the object illuminated by the sun. The colors were vibrant and film just doesn't capture it fully!
Our next stop was the Chapel of the Holy Cross
We then went hiking in Wilson Canyon (named after a guy killed by a bear there) just north of the business/tourist district of Sedona right at Midgley Bridge. What was that sound? Silence... as a Los Angelino that sound of silence is so rare. It was so peaceful to hike in that canyon. For lunch, we headed back into town and had ribs at the Mesquite Grill. We then did a little window shopping. For the afternoon, we headed for Red Rock Crossing where those postcard shots of the Cathedral rock with Oak Creek in front of it are taken. Below are two shots I took there.
We decided for the fun of it to go to Cottonwood and visit the Wal-Mart. It was there that John did some Christmas shopping and got a bunch of those I-Zone Polaroid Cameras. For dinner, we found a grocery store near our townhome and got the items we needed for a great pasta dinner. Thanks Nancy for preparing the sauce!
Sunday 17 December 2000
We drove northbound on 179 and found a United Methodist church and so we went there for a morning service. The congregation was about 100 and we all agreed the choir sang beautifully various Christmas themed songs.
That afternoon, we took the SUV onto the dirt roads! In West Sedona, there is Dry Creek Road (paved) after traveling on that a bit, we took the unpaved road for Vultee Arch (about 5 miles) to reach the trailhead. From there, we hiked 1.7 miles to Vultee Arch (named after a guy who got killed crashing his plane there). To be honest the arch isn't all that impressive compared to the arches I saw in 1993 at Arches National Park in Utah. Nonetheless, it was a lovely hike and a great way to pass a lazy Sunday afternoon. We then visited my co-worker's home and enjoyed the time of conversation and laughter with her and her wonderful family. Thanks for the hospitality!
For dinner, we were driving along in West Sedona and saw an Indian place (the only one in town!) and we had a wonderful feast.
We finished the evening out by visiting the Christmas light show.
Monday 18 December 2000
For our final day, in Sedona, we took Schenbly Hill Road, the oldest road leading into Sedona. It is an unpaved rocky road that made us very glad we had the SUV! On several
occasions we just had to stop the car and pile out for some pictures.
(left to right) Nancy, Harold, Me, Steven and John. Really enjoyed our group of five. I can't believe they put up with us (Harold and Me) photo nuts! Thanks a bunch you guys and gal!
Am daydreaming about my next photo expedition. Suggestions anyone? Wanna go to???
Links to other sites on the Web
An ISP in Sedona -- good info!
The townhome we stayed at
Food Info
Church directory in Sedona area
My home page