Day 48 - Only in a Jeep

When we checked into the RV park here in Sedona, I asked what does the average tourist do to see Sedona?  The lady that checked us in said take the "Pink Jeep" and handed me a brochure with a half dozen different tours they offer.  I asked which one I should consider and the response was the "Broken Arrow" tour.  

Sounded good to me so she called and arranged the "Pink Jeep" to pick us up at the RV park.  They arrived right on schedule at 11:00 am and we were off on our "tour".

Now, tour is a bit of a misnomer.  I'd call it more of an endurance event.  What I failed to note in the brochure was the claim of "the ultimate 4X4 experience".  

It was that.  The Chrysler Proving Ground doesn't get to this extreme.  We climbed rocks at angles where we were looking at clouds and descended at angles we were just sliding downhill.  But the places we went were spectacular.  The following photos show the red rock formations around the area.  They're in no particular order as I have my and Kathy's photos mixed together.

I think this is the only picture from the last two months that actually proves we were both on the same trip.  Our driver took this.

There's really no road up here.  The road is over the rocks and ruts.

It's open to the public so there are many private vehicles in the canyon.  Everything from 4-wheeler ATVs to 4X4 pickups.  The places we went are probably limited to Jeep vehicles with experienced drivers.

Those views are what brought us back here after 15 years.

The "tour" was a couple hours of serious off-roading and when we finished, we rode the tour back into town instead of returning to the RV park.  We did a little shopping and had lunch on a patio with a mountain view.  We were amused at one shop selling "Mackinac Island recipe fudge".  I went in wearing my Mackinac Island cap and told them I needed to sample their recipe.  The store owner said they did indeed buy the recipe from an island fudge shop...interesting.  It wasn't my favorite, "Joanns"...it had too much buttery flavor.

We finished downtown and walked the mile back to the RV park.  This is the view of the mountains behind the RV park.  The park is at the bottom of the photo a hundred feet below the bluff we're standing on.

To the right of the formation in the photo above is the feature they call "Snoopy".

Can you see it?

And a view looking back toward downtown.  

That was our day.  Seems a hurricane is headed this direction or what's left of one.  Just figures, I visit arid Arizona and encounter a hurricane.  How does that happen?  We're assured that our location is safe.  Flash flood warnings are posted and we're located next to a creek.  

Tomorrow is another day of whatever feels good.  We have no particular plan which is probably a good thing given the forecast of rain.  Kathy wants to visit a local quilt shop so she'll get there one way or another.  We might have to summon Uber again.

Day 47 - Sedona, Arizona

Today's journey was just a short hop of about 100 miles south of the Grand Canyon to Sedona, AZ.

We stopped here for lunch during our last Grand Canyon trip and thought it would be worth a longer visit.  So here we are 15 years later...I think the town may have grown a touch.

We stopped in Williams, AZ on the way south.  It's claim to fame is being the last town on Route 66 that was bypassed by the I-40 freeway.  It's a town full of restaurants and shops that take advantage of that location.

We spent an hour or so there before moving on toward Flagstaff on I-40.  The scenery looks a lot like northern Michigan.

We commented that nearly every state we've been through has their "up north" kind of land that is dominated by pine forests.  We made a provisioning stop at a Walmart in Flagstaff then drove down I-17 about 30 minutes to the road into Sedona.  

It doesn't take long and we see the red rock that this area is known for.

The closer we get, the heavier the traffic through the 9 round-abouts on this road.

The scenery is nice but the traffic is heavy.  

We found our RV park and set up for our 3 night stay.

It's a beautiful park.  

We've booked a Jeep tour of the local attractions tomorrow.  It was recommended by the park staff here.  Should be fun.

Day 46 – The Grand Canyon…Last Day

Today is our last day here in the Grand Canyon National Park.  We’ve seen it so it’s time to move on.  Kathy wanted to do a little shopping this morning so we hopped a shuttle to the village and the gift shop at the Hopi House.

But before we move on to today’s activities, we had up close entertainment with the resident elk.  This guy had one thing on his mind all evening and the ladies had no interest…that we know of.

Throughout the day, this bull rules the roost.

We hopped the shuttle at the campground and exited at the train station and walked up to the El Tovar Hotel.

Imagine this is the view out of your hotel window.

It’s another calm, bluebird day on the south rim.

The Bright Angel Trail starts here.

There’s a trail I’ll never see.  It’s the trail here in the center of the frame.

I might get down there, but it would take me a month to get back up.

Looking across the canyon, we can see the smoke from a wild fire on the north rim.

We noticed that for the first time yesterday.

We understand that side of the canyon is very different and more like the northwest forests we’ve been through the past couple weeks.

We finished up our shopping, walked the rim for a few minutes and hopped the shuttle back to the RV park.

An RV caravan rally pulled in here a day ago.  These guys are definitely roughing it. Here’s a few of the couple dozen in the group.

This guy is next to us.  He’s from Michigan and sold off a boat and bought this.

Hmmm…just like me.  Well, maybe "just like" is a stretch.

Bet I’m in and out of the Flying J a little quicker than he is.

Anyway, we’re doing a few chores this afternoon and keeping company with the elk in the park.  Tomorrow it’s on to Sedona, AZ.  Looks like we may eventually see a little weather from a hurricane rolling up the Pacific.  Not that I really want to deal with rain, but the people in this part of the country will certainly welcome it.

Day 45 – The Grand Canyon…Hermit’s Rest

News flash!!!  Same day post.  

We finished our trek to Hermit's Rest and had a late lunch and decided to venture into the internet zone before dinner.  We've had plenty of sun for today.

So here goes on today's activities.

The plan today was to travel to the far west end of the shuttle route.  We rode the blue line village shuttle to the Hermit’s Rest transfer station and rode that shuttle to Maricopa Point.

From that vantage point, you could clearly see the trail that Kathy rode on the mules several years ago.  They went to the end of that point on a full day ride.

After that, we hiked the rim trail for a couple miles…first to Powell Point.

I think I have photos and locations matched.  I look at the time stamp on the data and try to match that up to our schedule.  If something isn't right, you'll never know it anyway.

So next is Hopi Point.

And finally continued the hike to Mohave Point where we boarded the bus again for a couple more stops along the route. 

I got Kathy to let go of the tree long enough for a photo.  She (so did I) only ventured near the edge when there was a tree to latch on to.  The trail on this part of the rim was VERY narrow in some places.  Room enough for two feet.  One step to the side was a serious error.

We had a good view of the Colorado River at one spot.

Zooming in reveals a muddy rapids.  I would have pictured the river a bit more clear.  

They said to raft this part of the river requires a 21 day rafting trip through the canyon.

Kathy checks out the vista at Monument Creek.

Helicopters fly through parts of the canyon, but must be prohibited from the area around the village.  We never see them in the area we're staying.

The view at Pima Point.

The last stop on the route is Hermit’s Rest.

Same canyon, same view, different tree.

The clarity of the air was real good today.  The views seemed to be a bit more vivid.  Hopefully, this post isn’t too repetitive.  The scenery is stunning and as other places have been, the photography doesn’t do it justice. 

Tomorrow, we’re a bit open for what to do.  We’ll just play it by ear.

So there you are, all caught up "On the Road" with Jim and Kathy.  Charles Kuralt would be proud.