Arizona Adventures

We spent the last week of August exploring Sedona, Oak Creek, and Flagstaff in Arizona.  Visits were made to as many parks and monuments as we could manage, including a fun trip by train from Williams out to the Grand Canyon.  We enjoyed several day hikes in the Red Rock Country (Gorgeous!), a few great storms, a bit of shopping, good food, and great family time.

The early morning view from our little patio. 

 

Hmmmmmm........  Never saw any of these!

We hiked and climbed.

Well, the guys climbed and I documented. :-)

 

Jamie is a spider monkey!

 

Dori, are you coming up?  Nope!

Yes! Yes! I see you!

 

By the way, does anyone know what this is?  We're thinking it's maybe a parasite of some sort.  Kind of a pretty little fluff ball wrapped around leaves and twigs.

Ancient dwelling tucked into the cliff walls of Montezuma Well, one of the historic sites at Montezuma Castle National Monument.  The Sinagua Indians would have reached their homes via wooden ladders.  (Can't you imagine some mama saying "Sweetpea, don't go too close to the edge!")  This large sinkhole was once an underground cavern.

Tall William looking at amazingly small doorway of ancient dwelling at Montezuma Well.

Springs from an aquifer feed a million and a half gallons of fresh water up into Montezuma Well each day.  The water exits on the far side of the Well, filtering through the rock, and emerges as a crystal clear stream down in a little grotto.  There in the middle of the dessert, is this cool, shady little spot with lush maidenhair ferns and sycamore trees.  The ancient peoples used the water from this faithful stream to irrigate their rocky fields. 

Being a train lover, I was hoping one of the old iron horse steam engines would pull our train out to the Grand Canyon, but both are parked for awhile. Darn! But was a great ride, anyway. All along the route, you can see the ruts from the old stage coaches that once ran from Williams out to the canyon. It was fascinating to watch the tracks wind around old juniper trees that were already old a hundred years ago....

 

Chris and William sitting at the edge of the Grand Canyon.

The Grand Canyon cast a spell over me. The hugeness, the quiet, the color...just amazing! For a few moments I sat totally by myself.  I could hear the air rushing over the feathers of the ravens swooping nearly within arm's reach.

 

A squirrel with a great view.  Do not feed these little beggars!  There's a $500 fine if the rangers catch you feeding them.  Seriously! These bold fellows will sneak into your lunch bag or jump right in your baby's carriage to snatch a cookie!  We saw nitwits trying to pet these guys.  They have reeeeeeally sharp little teeth, people!

Future Park Ranger!  Such a cute clown! ;-)

 

Mr. H's feet leading the way down the water slide at Slide Rock State Park. Yahoo!!!!

I just couldn't resist including this photo!  On our Flagstaff day, we went up to the Snow Bowl ski area and took the ski lift up to the top.  For we sea level people the thin air up there was an interesting experience.  You could take a deep breath, but it didn't feel like it!  Such a pretty view up there, and such a pretty ride.  I didn't realize how big mature aspen trees are!  Did you know they almost form a rain forest like canopy, shading and protecting the young aspens and fir trees growing up from underneath.  I would love to see those aspens in their golden autumn dress.

One of the beautiful Arizona Sycamores.  Where there is a little water, there are these lovely trees with the  smooth, silvery bark. 

We are tree huggers!  :-)

It is monsoon season in Arizona.  We watched storms build nearly every afternoon.  Moments after we caught the pretty sun rays above, it poured!

 

Sunsets in the Red Rock Country are breathtaking.  

 

There is just nothing like adventures with my guys.  We had a good time! :-)