Relaxing in Arizona escaping cold rain
Oregon weather can drain one through the winter, especially through long stretches of cold rain day after ever shorter day … so escaping to Arizona for some clear warm sunny skies and relaxation was a perfect idea. A few days in Sedona and more in Paradise Valley hit the mark! We had great weather, some very kind and friendly people, and vistas to contrast with PNW, and time / place / weather to relax … take in the vistas, birds and flowers.
On the way to Sedona
Heading out from Phoenix to Sedona is a straight shot up I-17, but there’s a great place to stop: Montezuma’s Castle (a National Parks’ Monument). While this is not the biggest cliff dwelling one can find, it’s so easy to visit, and not strenuous at all. While one cannot enter the dwelling at this time, it’s pretty easy to imagine how people lived there – there’s a creek near the bottom of the cliff.
This little visit really amped my desire to see more ancient dwellings in the SW US.
Sedona
It seems everybody one talks to loves Sedona (if they’ve been there) … Yet, there’s a shadow over the valley imho … housing is WAY expensive, and it’s not because of locals. Most of the dwellings in Sedona are owned by corporations that rent them out … locals (those who work in the tourist trade must live elsewhere). Once you reconcile that with your conscience, the setting is sublime – we, however, stayed in Village Creek (Bell Rock) that doesn’t have quite the same problem – just a bunch of rich golfers.
We took time to hike around Courthouse Rock and Bell Rock. Neither were long walks, but they were amazing for their contrast to Oregon and the PNW.
Here is the Adobe album from Sedona. Bell Rock will be the teaser
The hikes around Sedona are busy! Every trailhead was full of cars by noon, and every shape, size and style of hiker will be seen.
Paradise Valley
Just north of Scottsdale, AZ and between different hills, ridges and buttes is a place called Paradise Valley. The main feature is Camelback Mountain. The smog of downtown Phoenix is off to the west, and Paradise Valley brings in all types of snowbirds and sun seeking tourists. Our specific resort, however, was calm, quiet, beautiful and perfect.
Adobe album from Paradise Valley – golden hours were spectacular.
This teaser is an example of every sunrise and sunset (credit to the air pollution for the colors)
Birds, flowers and Cactus
How could one visit the desert and not notice birds, flowers and cactus?
Harris’s Hawks were plentiful. The resort even had a falconer every day show up with his Harris’s Hawk to chase away the pesty birds (who eat off tables, plates and anything with food on it). The best part, however, was walking in the valley’s neighborhoods and seeing a trio of hawks hunting. I have never seen 3 raptors share a roost like this.
Amazing birds …. raptors that catch birds in the air. From All About Birds,
The most social of North American raptors, these birds cooperate at nests and hunt together as a team. When hunting, a group of hawks surround their prey, flush it for another to catch, or take turns chasing it. This hawk’s social nature and relative ease with humans has made it popular among falconers and in education programs.
These birds, Gambel’s Quail were everywhere around the resort … they sing too.
The flowers were not everywhere like spring, but where they were – they made an impression.
How could one go to Arizona without looking at the cacti? The purple cactus just fits with Prickly Pear Margarita.
