We awoke to 24 degrees F this morning, but thanks to our excellent propane furnace, the electric heater for stand by and the electric blanket, we were toasty warm. We both showered in plentiful, hot water, which is sometimes a precious commodity (although usually not at a KOA).
We decided to explore the Oak Creek Canyon and Sedona rather than going north to the Grand Canyon. Oak Creek Canyon drops 3000 feet over 20 miles of winding twisting, but good, road. David did an outstanding job of driving while Ann took many, many pix of the incredible rock formations and the beginnings of fall colors. There were a few maples which were in spectacular orange-red dress.
Sedona, elevation 4400 feet, was named for the wife of the founder, T. Carl Schnebly, who wanted to name it Schnebly Station or Oak Creek Crossing, but the post office told him those names were too long for a cancellation stamp (from the AAA Tour Book). The original settlers of the Sedona region, however, were the Southern Sinagua people (Spanish for without water) who built homes in the rocks as early as AD 1130-1300. The largest dwellings are the Palatki and Honanki, the latter which we visited after browsing the town.
Sedona is famous as the home of several vortexes, specific fields that emit energy upward from the earth. There are said to be three energy types: electrical (masculine), magnetic (feminine) and electromagnetic (neutral) which energize and inspire. Numerous shops are devoted to rocks and other art objects, books and spiritualists who seek to help customers become energized!
David drove us out to the Honanki settlement which is south of Sedona. To get there you must travel a Forest Service Road of gravel and rocks. It was an hour long 10-mile trek.
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| Beautiful yellow wildflowers abounded on the hillsides. |
We were a bit disappointed by the lack of pictographs which we'd been led to believe we would see. Perhaps some of them were covered up by the grafitti of ignorant, inconsiderate tourists . The Forest Service has uncovered about 10 rooms set under the cliff overhang. It reminded Ann of the homes described in the books in The Clan of the Cave Bear series.
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| The Geico gecko visited, too! |
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| On the left is a formation named Thunder Mountain. Nearest the road is a formation locals call the coffee pot rock! |
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| We thought the rocks to the right looked like elephants! |
Instead of having to climb back through the Oak Creek Canyon we took the AZ 179 route back to I-17. Getting the 15 miles from Sedona to I-17, we drove around ten roundabouts!!! Arizonans love roundabouts. The climb back up the 3000 feet to Flagstaff was much gentler and David commented it was great to be able to use cruise control on the truck. In Flagstaff we drove on a short section of Rte 66 (can still see the two guys cruisin' 66 in their corvette).
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| Get your kicks on Rte 66! |
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| Full moon risin' |
Tomorrow it's on to Albuquerque.
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