Arizona's Jewel

Over the last decade the name of Sedona, AZ has surfaced in conversations with Chris and Jay’s friends and in publications they have read.  They first heard about it from friends that had visited there in the late 90s.  As Chris expanded her knowledge of spiritual information, she learned that Sedona was known as a metaphysical Mecca because of its many vortices.  And lastly, during their cross-country trip in 2007, it was to be a good halfway meeting point for them to meet Helen and Janet, cousins of Chris’ who lived in Tucson.  Chris and Jay made it there but the blistering hot triple-digit temperatures in early July of that year prohibited the cousins from making the trip.  Everything happens for a reason and the experience of the setting was not wasted on the travelers.  Its rugged, red rock beauty rivals that of any place on earth and they decided a return trip was imperative.  Thus, on Thursday, April 14^th, the voyagers re-entered the valley and were just as mesmerized by the enchanted beauty of the late afternoon sun setting afire the red cliffs of Courthouse Butte and the iconic Bell Rock as they were on their first visit. 

During their stay in 2007 they were strolling through the Tlaquepaque Village and met Carol Hazelette at a shell shop where she worked and discovered that she and Chris shared the same birthday (but not the same year).  After settling in, at the only RV Park in town, Chris immediately called Carol and, to her surprise, received a dinner invitation for that evening.  None of them could believe that three years had passed since they had met and the conversation was filled with events transpired and learning more about each other.  Having worked for a local photographer in the past, Carol was helpful in suggesting locations that Chris would be interested in capturing.

The next day the first order of business was to locate a detailed trail map and create a plan for the rest of their sojourn.  The woman in the RV Park office recommended The Hike House, a hiking equipment and apparel store that was within walking distance.  Chris found exactly what she sought and the staff was wonderful at explaining the types of views and terrain at each trail. 

Feeling a bit out of shape from lack of activity over the winter, and with Jay’s back still tender, the low altitude, less strenuous Thunder Mountain trail seemed the best to begin their series of hikes.  It didn’t disappoint as Chris was taking photos from the trail head parking area and continued practically non-stop until the sun was setting and they were snugly back in Big Red.

 

Part of the Capitol Butte rock formations.

A Prickly Pear Cactus found along the trail.

The weather was ideal with sunny skies and soft breezes, but the hikers know from experience that the weather can turn hot or cold, windy or calm, sunny or rainy, within minutes.  Thus when one dresses for what they expect the weather to be, as in this case, sunny but cool, and it becomes sunny and hot, long, dark jeans tend to be burdensome and raise the body temperature to an uncomfortable state.  While in Phoenix Jay had bought a pair of convertible pants, (you know the ones that have the zipper just above the knees so that you can remove the lower leg portion when it gets too hot).  Chris decided that she needed the same considering the projected hiking schedule through the summer and that many times they start a hike in the warm afternoon and end it after dark when the temperature can drop 10 degrees or more.  So the next morning, back to The Hike House they went and stocked up on convertibles for both of them.

Decked out in their new duds, Cathedral Rock was the day’s destination.  It is a massive mound of red stone capped by jagged white capped rocks resembling –you guessed it- a cathedral.  They got a late start and mistakenly got off their intended path, wasting valuable sunshine but getting some great photos.  As they neared the crest of the mound, the “trail” became almost a vertical ascent with foot and hand holds in crevices containing potentially slippery gravel.  Heavy shade surrounded them and was fading fast with the setting sun. Mindful of the entire summer of wonderful adventures ahead of them they decided that reaching the summit was not worth the probable slip, fall, sprained or broken body part they might suffer if they continued so heavily laden with equipment and they backtracked to a lower level trail to see what photo ops the setting sun offered.

View of Twin Buttes from Cathedral Rock.

Chris came across a cluster of large blue agave and took several photos.

She applied a filter to this one to give it a painted appearance.

Brandishing flashlights on their way back to Big Red they passed a small group of the younger generation going the other way.  One young man stopped and asked them if they were going to the drum ceremony, which he explained they did on the night of the full moon during warm months.  Chris was interested in participating but all Jay wanted was food, drink and a place to lie down.  Maybe next time.

One of the things Chris and Jay learned about Carol was that she had owned a company which provided a hiking service for children.  She led hikes several times a week for groups of children ages 6 to 12.  Over the last few years Carol suffered a detached retina in one eye making it completely blind, and some retinal damage in the other causing mostly blurred vision.  As a result she no longer drives and seldom hikes the area’s trails – a pastime she cherished.   So, on Sunday Chris and Jay had her over for lunch and an afternoon hike.  They let her decide on the trail and off to Soldier Pass they went.

Carol did not act as though she had limited vision.  She took the lead most of the day, kept up a brisk pace with sure strides and was the consummate tour guide.  To keep things simple, light and fun, Chris left the photo gear at home and carried only the point and shoot but was still able to capture some photos of the trail’s interesting oddities including the Devil’s Sinkhole, Seven Sacred Pools, massive arches in the adjacent Brin’s Mesa and spectacular views.  Chris and Jay were pleased that they could treat Carol to an outing that she now seldom enjoys.

The Devil’s Sinkhole.

Three of the Seven Sacred Pools.

One of the beautiful views from the trail.

The Sedona area contains over one hundred trails through some of the most beautiful geography in the country.  The travelers planned to stop again in the fall on their way south and drink in more of its splendor.  But the schedule demanded a departure for Page, AZ and new adventures.