Take the long way home.

January 26, 2014: Take the long way home: Flagstaff to Sedona – State Route 89A.

After a trip to Flagstaff yesterday to celebrate the birthdays of my sister’s 2-year-old twin grand babies, my sis and I are ready for the return trip to Phoenix.  Rather than taking the straight shot back down I-17, we decide on the scenic route home – or “the long way home”.  Here’s a sneak peek.

Oak Creek Canyon.

We say our goodbyes to the family and drive a short distance where we pick up State Route 89A and turn south.  In a matter of minutes we drop down out of Flagstaff and enter into Oak Creek Canyon which is located within the Coconino National Forest.  Situated along the Mogollon Rim, Oak Creek Canyon is a river gorge that lies between Flagstaff and Sedona.  We wind our way down through the hairpin turns and are met by beautiful views around every curve.  There are campgrounds, lodges, and picnic areas dotted throughout the canyon as we descend.    

Slide Rock State Park.

A few miles into the canyon we come to Slide Rock State Park named after the famous stretch of slippery creek bottom adjacent to an old homestead. This is a very popular place during the summer where adventurous visitors partake in the joys of nature and slide down a slick natural water chute in Oak Creek.  Those less adventurous wade and sun along the creek.

Roadside shopping.

Around a curve we happen upon a roadside market where people from the Navajo Nation are selling beautiful handcrafted jewelry, hair ornaments, dream catchers, Christmas ornaments, and more.

Some fun braclets and hair clips for the young ladies.

We wander up and down the tables before a pair of earrings catch my eye.  This is just what I’ve been looking for.  Purchase made, off we go down the canyon.    

Rollin’ down the highway.

The mountains are gorgeous!  We’re rollin’ down the highway and I snap a few pictures along the way.

 Midgley Bridge.

Snaking our way down through the canyon we come to Midgley Bridge where we find a pull out that will accommodate a dozen cars or so.  Trailheads and several easily accessible scenic overlooks are steps away from the parking area.

A view into the box canyon.

Beautiful red rock formations beyond the box canyon.

A lovely view down the gorge.  In the distance you can see Sedona nestled at the base of the canyon.

Looking back up the trail toward Midgley Bridge from the gorge overlook.

More gorgeous views of the area.

Sedona: “Red Rock Country”.

Back in the car we continue down through the gorge.  The Oak Creek Canyon – Sedona area is a popular tourist destination in Arizona, second only to the Grand Canyon.  It is easy to see why people are drawn to this area filled with gorgeous red rock mountains and unusual rock formations.

Round and around the roundabout we go!

As we enter Sedona, my sister mentions a chapel on a hill that we should stop to see.  We’re hoping to simply venture upon it as we drive through town.  What are the chances?  As we enter a roundabout there’s a sign for Chapel Road.  Now, that makes sense!  Around the roundabout we go!  Only a few blocks up the hill we arrive at the lower parking area to this stunning view.

Chapel of the Holy Cross.

The Mystic Hills surround the chapel.  There are spectacular red rock formations soaring above the chapel.  Breathtaking beautiful. 

A little history of the chapel.

The Chapel of the Holy Cross was a gift from Marguerite Brunswig Staude.  She was a sculptress, philanthropist, and devout Catholic, and believed the Chapel of the Holy Cross was her greatest artistic achievement and the fulfillment of her life's mission.  The chapel was dedicated in 1957.

Inside the chapel.

As we enter the chapel we are immediately drawn to the simple lines of the alter and the lovely view that lies beyond.

Stations of the cross line the perimeter of the chapel.  The Roman numerals of each station are created with spikes as a remembrance of Christ being nailed to the cross.

Head of Christ in granite from cathedral in Chartres, France.

As we leave the chapel and descend the hill I take a few more pictures.  If you look really close you can see a bird’s nest in the cactus of the first picture.  

Down around and homeward bound.

Back down Chapel Road and around the roundabout and we head south toward home.  What a fun day with my big sister.  We need more of these!  Until next time – be safe.

This hot weather is draining our energy level.

January 21, 2014: This hot weather is draining our energy level, but someone’s gotta shoulder the burden of record high temperatures in Phoenix in January!

With the frigid temperatures and snowstorms plaguing much of the country we feel very blessed to be able to spend the winter months in Arizona, especially with the record high temperatures we are currently experiencing.  It’s tough, but someone’s gotta do it!  I’m happy to oblige and bask in the very warm 81 degree day.

Looking down our street, Surprise, toward the Superstition Mountains.

 

Morning walkers and bikers.

Every morning there are numerous walkers and bikers out getting their daily exercise.  Some of these folks put on miles each day.

Kind gentleman putting air in bike tires for a lady.

One of the many daily bikers in the resort.

All the pool “ings” – Exercising, Volleying, Bobbing, and Tubbing. 

There’s a whole menagerie of fun water activities at Sunrise RV Resort.  There are morning water exercise classes for the ambitious ladies (one of which I am not).  

Then, there’s water volleyball which Jack plays 3 days a week with a nice group of people.  I’m impressed with what a great player he is.

If you’re not into water volleyball you can join the “Noodle Bobbers”.  My sis and I start the pool experience by swimming a couple of laps (exercise!) and then settle in with the other bobbers.  Very relaxing indeed.

After volleying and bobbing the afternoon away, it’s time to hop out of the warm pool and scurry over to the hot tub.  Although the temperature is in the upper 70’s, stepping from the sunshine into the shade can give you goose bumps – really!  But the hot churning water at the destination is well worth the quick jaunt.  A very nice way to end the afternoon.

Water not your game?  Try Pickle-Ball.

Jack has really gotten into Pickle-Ball and plays 2 or 3 times per week.  He and I get out on the court and knock the ball around, but if he wants any real competition he has to look elsewhere.  Our bro-in-law, Jim, and Jack play together and also pick-up games at the court whenever they can.  Great exercise and lots of fun.

Some of the Pickle-Ball ladies.

One very spry, very mature lady could hardly wait to get on the court.  She bounces around the court like a much younger lady than her physical years.  I’m guessing all the activity has kept her young.

Jack partnering up with the spry elder!

Some of the regulars you'll find on the Pickle-Ball court every day.

We have yet to try Shuffle Board, but it’s on our list.

Every time we walk by the Shuffle Board court we wonder why we haven’t made it up there yet to play.  Somehow we always forget about it.  It looks like fun; we need to get a plan together.

If the heat is too much for you, move indoors.

The heat’s too much for you?  Move indoors for a game of billiards or Mexican Train dominoes.  Or try your hand at one of the many projects available in the craft room or sewing room.  Perhaps you want to check into a lapidary project.

At the end of the day, maybe all you really want is to find a shady spot, lean back in your rocker, and take a little snooze.  Now that’s the life!

Until next time ... be safe.

A Day Trip to Historic Wickenburg.

January 12, 2014: A Day Trip to Historic Wickenburg, Arizona.

We’ve planned a day trip to Wickenburg with Jack’s sister and her friend.  We meet up with our travel companions in Carefree just before 9:30 and cram the two of them into the backseat of the Jeep.  I’m happy to be driving instead of being twisted around like a pretzel back there.

The trip to Wickenburg is relatively short – if you’re in the front seat.  Relatively longer if you aren’t.

Crossing the Hassayampa River we pull to a stop along Wickenburg Way (Route 60) and Jack and I hop out of the Jeep.  We unfold the folks in the backseat and pull them free from the Jeep.

Texas Hotel – 1895.

Our first stop is the Texas Hotel.  It was moved to this location on Wickenburg Way from a mining area around 1904.  The 8 bedroom hotel was restored in 2007 and is now a shop selling everything from new clothing to artwork to pre-owned cowboy boots and a multitude of vintage items.  As we walk through the front door the original beautiful wooden front desk welcomes us in style.  The small display rooms are a great place for Jack to stealthily hide from the prying eyes of the sales staff and try on hats undetected.

   

Photography Art Gallery.

Down the street dramatic western photos in a window catch our eye and draw us inside the gallery.  We admire the work of the very talented photographers.  Photos of the Grand Tetons near Jackson Hole, Wyoming are intermingled with Antelope Canyon and other desert photos.  Talking with the owner we discover they are among the luckiest folks alive.  They spend their winters in Arizona, and summers in Jackson Hole.  What more could you possibly ask for?

The shops at Mecca Plaza.

The next block brings us to Mecca Plaza.  It’s an old motel turned into shops.  We meander through the “motel room” shops.  It’s very quaint.  I love this idea. 

There’s also a sunny little patio at the Mecca Sports Bar & Grill adjacent to the shops.  We’ll keep this in mind for lunch later.

The Santa Fe Depot – 1895.

The Town of Wickenburg acquired the station from the Santa Fe Railroad in 1984.  After restoration it was dedicated as the Chamber of Commerce in 1987.  It is now the official Visitor’s Center.

Life-like bronze statues.

Many bronze sculptures are found throughout the historic town.  Each has an audio clip that tells a brief story of the person and his or her impact on the community.  The artist is J. Seward Johnson, and sculptures were gifted to the town by the DeVore Foundation.

Just down from the train station we pass one of the streetscape painted bronze statues – “Teacher with Luggage”.  I touch her suit to make sure it’s bronze and not cloth.  Okay it is bronze, but the carpet bad sitting next to her, it’s got to be cloth.  Nope!  It’s also bronze.  Pretty amazing!

Hassayampa Building – 1905.

Across the street we come to the Hassayampa Building, originally the Vernetta Hotel.  The painted bronze statue of Elizabeth Smith, an African American businesswoman from the East, stands outside the hotel.  The hotel was specifically built to serve overnight railroad passengers.  Ms. Smith tells her story via the audio sound bite.  The hotel was convenient to the train, but it was her wonderful cooking that drew patrons from far and wide.    

Desert Caballeros Western Museum.

At the end of the block we come to the Desert Caballeros Western Museum.

The museum is a highlight of our trip to Wickenburg.  The first floor houses the Western Art Museum and a gift shop, while the basement is filled with historical exhibit rooms and street scenes.  It is well worth the admission price of $7.00 for Seniors and $9.00 for the “youngsters” we brought with us.

    

Thanks for the Rain.

At the intersection of Wickenburg Way and Tegner we come to the larger-than-life sized bronze sculpture “Thanks for the Rain” by Joe Beeler.

What an amazingly talented artist to be able to capture the exact tilt of the head, the facial features that express so perfectly the sincere look of “thanks” on the face of the cowboy – all pulled from his imagination and created with his hands and the tools of his trade.  Simply beautiful.  What a truly talented gentleman.

The Jail Tree.

Across the street from the bronze sculpture of the cowboy and his horse we come to “The Felon & Jail Tree”.  The Jail Tree is a 200 year-old mesquite tree that served as the town jail between 1863 and 1890.  Outlaws and felons were chained to the tree.  Another painted bronze statue sits below the Jail Tree.  Hmmm?  Which is the outlaw – and which is not?  Or, are they both outlaws?  If it’s against the law to sneak around shops, try on hats and get a good laugh … then the guy on the left is an outlaw.

  

Back to the Mecca Sports Bar & Grill.

We’ve passed several restaurants and bars along our walk today, but we are drawn back to the warm, sunny patio of the Mecca Sports Bar & Grill.  They have an exceptional Green Chili Burger.  Freshly ground beef and the bun toasted just so – perfectly scrumptious!    

Before we reach the Jeep Jack spies a couple of younger women.  Goodness!  You can’t take him anywhere!

Double D. The Western World store – not the girls!

We jam everyone back in the Jeep and head west through town.  We’re looking for Double D Western World.  There it is on the left!  I swing into the parking lot and unload everyone again.  The Double D has a little bit of everything “western”.  Furniture, artwork, interior décor, clothes, hats, boots, small pet supplies, horse supplies.  Did I mention hats?  Jack’s trying on hats again … and so is his sister.  It must run in the family.

It went straight to his hips!

With all the weight Jack lost with his ruptured appendix back in November, he has been working at putting a few pounds back on.  Looks like all those extra protein shakes, green chili burgers, and pasta are working – but it’s all going to his hips!  Where did that big bottom come from?  How are we going to get that back into the Jeep?

 

Oops!  I guess I was mistaken.  I do believe he’s sitting in one of those “western” bar stools of an ample cowboy backside in his Wranglers, boots, and spurs.  Very cute Jack, but “no” we cannot take one home with us. 

We walk out of the Double D with a new cat toy for Miss Kitty and a pink bandana for my sister’s dog for a total of $5.03.  Between the hats and the bar stool we sure had more than $5.03 worth of fun! 

You know we have to end the day with ice cream.

Everyone piles back into the Jeep.  We make it part way through town before the topic of ice cream comes up.  Why not?  One last stop at the local Dairy Freeze or Frosty Freeze or something like that for an ice cream fix.  Too much ice cream later and we all squeeze back into the Jeep for the "long or short" ride home. 

Carefree to Apache Junction.

We tug on the Carefree folks until we pull them free of the backseat.  We wish them well, and head down the road back to our little oasis in the sun in Apache Junction. 

What a fun day in Wickenburg!  Once again, Jack kept us all in stitches which made for a very entertaining day.  Until next time – have fun and be safe.