Sedona -A Must See

Feb.14th- After spending a week in Apache Junction with Larry and Lori we headed north to Sedona AZ. Sedona is situated in the high country just south of Flagstaff. A number of people had told us that Sedona is a “must-see” but we weren't really prepared for the natural beauty of the area.

The houses are all Santa Fe style and tucked into pockets of greenery so none compete with the spectacular scenery.

As we entered the city, we began to see monolithic mountains and red rock formations.

Towering cliffs, unique formations and a palette of rich colors.

The design and color of the roads blend in with the surrounding landscape.

The shape and beauty of the rock formations defy description.

View from Chapel Drive.

The Chapel of the Holy Cross, a beautiful chapel built on a twin pinnacled spur about 250 feet high, jutting out of a thousand foot red rock wall. It's hard to believe this modern looking structure was built in 1956.

The guardians of the Chapel.

A cactus garden bordering the chapel grounds.

An Angel in the garden.

The view from inside the church.

Looking down the valley from the church.

Another view of the mountains surrounding the church

Looking up at the Chapel Of The Holy Cross .

Rock Spires

Alvina at rest stop

Beautiful

Red rock formation

Bell Rock

Cathedral Rock

Bell Rock,believed to be one of the spiritual vortexes in the area.

Castle rock

Organ Pipe National Monument

Feb.1st--During our stay in Organ Pipe state park we took a day trip on Aho Mountain Drive, a one way gravel road that formed a 21 mile loop through pristine desert wilderness. The scenery was magnificent and the desert was lush with many species of cacti.

Entering Organ Pipe National Monument bordering Mexico.

Organ Pipe Cactus, indigenous to the southern part of the Sonoran Desert.

The jumping cholla, also called the chainfruit cholla after its long hanging chains of fruit.

Cholla cactus and mountain scenery.

Organ Pipe Cactus

A ramada originally built by the native Indians to shelter from the sun. The roof was made from the husk of the saguaro cactus.

Interesting saguaro - The old men of the desert

The cacti are so tenacious that they actually seed themselves on the rocky sides of the mountain.

Larry and I

Natural arch, caused by erosion on mountain top.

Larry and Lori from the Double L Ranch on Vancouver Island.

Alvina and I in yet another desert.

Lori standing beside huge saguaro cactus. At maturity, they can reach heights up to 50 ft. and live as long as 200 years.

Old Spanish church in Aho AZ.

Yuma,Gila Bend,Aho and why az.

Jan.31st--Leaving Quartzsite, we traveled south to Yuma on Hwy 95 and then took #8 towards Aho and Why AZ. This part of the Sonoran Desert is favored by smugglers trying to bring illegal drugs across the border and immigrants hoping to find a home and a job in the U.S.

Wow! Tractor with Quad behind sleeper, towing a large 5th wheeler and pulling a Hummer. What a man!

Scenic farmland on route to Yuma.

Gila Bend AZ. pronounced -Hila-. After Larry and I got there the sign was changed to "and 7 old crabs"- enlarge sign for details.

Following Larry and Lori through the Sonoran Desert.

Another great sunset just south of Why AZ.

We stayed at a B.L.M . site just north of the Mexican border.

Larry at our campsite.