March 20, 2008

March 20, 2008

Our second favorite spot in Arizona after the Grand Canyon is Sedona. So on the drive back to Tucson we detour there. On the way we stop at Slide Rock State Park. Here the rushing waters of Oak Creek have carved a natural water slide. I tried it out on our first visit to Arizona in 2001.

In Sedona we get a hiking recommendation at the Visitor Center. The host suggests scaling Doe Mountain. Both Sedona and the Grand Canyon have been packed (apparently Daytona and Lauderdale are now passé for Spring Breakers) and I am hoping she hasn’t told everyone to go there. It turns out to be a great hike. Doe Mountain is a large plateau that gives us great views of the surrounding red rock countryside. We have lunch while enjoying the ambiance. It is hard to beat the beauty of Sedona.

Before leaving we stop at Red Rock Crossing to take the classic photo of Cathedral Rock. The crossing was the site of many western films.

Back on the highway south we take a short detour to see Montezuma Castle National Monument. My sister was a history major in college and wanted to see an example of the many prehistoric ruins that the Indians built under the cliff overhangs in the Southwest. It is nice but she is disappointed she can’t crawl thru it. From there we make the long drive back to our apartment in Tucson.