Sedona (aka Supporting Arizona Through Tourism)

Last week Patrice worked six days so he could take an extra day this weekend. We decided to head north to Sedona. I spent the week researching the area to find fun and exciting things to do, knowing I would overbook us and we would not have time to do all the things on my list. (We'll have to go back) We made two stops on our way to the hotel; Montezuma Castle and Montezuma well. The "Castle" is an 800 year old, 45 room high-rise apartment of the Sinagua people, located along the banks of Beaver Creek. It is amazing to realize how primitive America was even 500 years ago. If you think about Europe 2000 years ago, the contrast in technological, cultural, and social development is incredible. If it weren't for our European ancestors, people in this part of the world might still live in condos like this! Well done, conquistadors. Well done.

The size and color of the Arizona Sycamore set it apart from other trees in the area. It only grows in riparian corridors (word of the day!) and it gets its color from its constantly shedding bark. The main beams of the castle are made from Arizona Sycamore.

I am actually not sure what these parts of the castle were used for. Bad me! I didn't read the sign. There were some large stone tools that looked like mano y matate, but I do remember an exhibit in the museum that suggested they were actually locks on pens. These might be the pens. Too bad I didn't pay attention!

Swallow nests

Nicco and Daddy on the trail.

Tickling each other with fuzzy grasses.

Nicco got a little tired hiking up the hill on the way to the next stop, Montezuma Well.

The well is a collapsed underground limestone cave with more than a million gallons of water flowing through it each day. The water is 76 degrees all year long and has a very high concentration of carbon dioxide, so there are no fish living in the well.

There are remains of a cliff dwelling along this wall above the well.

(I forgot to rotate this picture, oh well.) Nicco and I taking a rest at the top of the hill above the well.

We drove through Coconino National Forest, Red Rock Country as it is known, on the way to Sedona. It is really quite spectacular; one of those places that defy description and must be seen in person to fully appreciate. This is the view outside the patio of the casita we stayed in at Enchantment Resort.

That rock formation (again, the view from our patio...) is on top of one of Sedona's vortices...pockets of energy that attract mystics, psychics, and other weirdos from all over the world. The spa at Enchantment was named the #1 spa in the world and includes treatments like past life regression, aura photography, astrology, numerology, and palm reading in addition to the traditional massage/facial treatments you would find at other spas.

Nicco and his daddy enjoying the view

Nicco's giving me a foot massage. This treatment was in our price range, unlike the treatments at the world's #1 spa.

After our picnic lunch on the patio and getting settled, we headed into town to check out Tlaquepaque, an artsy shopping center with unique galleries and shops.

Nicco's favorite was the Christmas store. There were some amazing hand carved nativities.

A wicker and wood burro statue in one of the courtyards

Window shopping

Bell tower

Resting by one of many fountains

A courtyard and bridge

This shopping center had a very European village feel to it. There were surprises around every corner.

Another view of the shopping center.

Garden sculptures

Rock furniture

One of the shops built around an enormous sycamore tree.

One of the many beautiful, huge, interesting doors

And another one

We drove around a bit and pulled off the road for some scenic photo opportunities

Nicco, with the best seat in the house!

A little river of flowers on the path up to the Chapel of the Holy Cross

Garden and saints in the chapel courtyard

Outside the chapel (we didn't go in because it closed moments after we arrived. We might not have dilly-dallyed so much had we known the hours of operation)

Nicco resting in the courtyard. He did a lot of resting. We had to call some of our adventures "missions" in order to convince him that we were indeed on an adventure. He asked me several times if there was "resting on this mission." He found resting spots on each of our missions.

A small private bungalow across from the chapel. Patrice was tempted to leave a resume...

The view of the chapel from the road. Marguerite Bruswig Straude was inspired to build a chapel on a visit to the Empire State Building in 1932. She searched all over Europe and America for an ideal location to build a structure that would glorify her Creator and offer her thanksgiving for all she and her family had received. She and her husband stumbled upon this spot in Sedona and thought it was perfect for what she had in mind. It was completed in 1956 and is currently maintained and administered by the Diocese of Phoenix and Saint John Vianney parish.

After completing all our missions for the day, we headed back to the hotel for a much anticipated swim in the pool and a relaxing evening on the patio. The next morning, we got up and took a little hike through Boynton Canyon, open only to guests at Enchantment.

That is the resort behind us.

I had to tickle Nicco to get him to smile for his daddy. (There was LOTS of resting on this mission)

Again, Nicco with the best seat in the house!

I don't know what kind of bush this was, but the wood was very interesting...it had red and white bark twisted around each other, and the outer red bark was so hard, it was like petrified wood. Patrice wanted to take a branch for a walking stick, but we just took a picture instead.

Resting on a tree stump

Nicco stopped along the way to fill up his special water bottle with sand. ("You know, I really like sand," he said.)

A tipi on the resort property.

A perfect spot for one last rest on the way back to the car.

Balancing

We stopped at an alien diner (Red Planet...Nicco liked the galaxy decor and all the aliens around the place) for brunch and at a little pottery/outdoor market on the way out of town. Nicco had reached his limit and was happy to be on our "long ride" so he could watch Kung Fu Panda. He entertained us with Kung Fu battle noises all the way home.