Our first drive into Sedona, AZ, gave us a good idea of why this area is so popular. The red rock cliffs provide a spectacular backdrop in nearly every direction. There are hundreds of miles of trails to explore and we only have a month. We can already see this will be one of those places we visit more than once.
Red Rock Visitor Center and Ranger Station were only 17 miles from Krazy K RV Park.
How ironic that Smokey had the time to pose with Joani and Sam while there was a grass fire smoldering just a few hundred feet away. It looked like a controlled burn to get the scrub vegetation under control around the auxiliary Ranger facilities so I guess Smokey trusted his rangers.
Sam always wanted to meet his hero, Smokey (look at that smile on his face.)
Chapel of the Holy Cross has a tiny parking lot that was full and overflowing down the hill. We decided to return earlier on another day.
I think everyone in Sedona must make a living creating or selling art. There were galleries everywhere. We stopped at Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village and spent more than an hour looking around. Many of the shops offered free cookies to patrons and treats for the four-legged visitors.
Tlaquepaque is not Spanish. It's a Spanish rendition of a Nahuatl (Aztec) word. The "tl" is actually one sound, but the word is typically pronounced tuh-lah-keh-pah-keh.
Tlaquepaque, (meaning the best of everything) named after a Mexican city on the southeast edge of Guadalajara, is located on Oak Creek, but it's the magnificent sycamores that define this property.
The buildings look like they have been here for hundreds of years. That was the plan when construction began in 1971.
Before 1970, this creekside property was a nursery owned by the Girard family. They were finally convinced to sell, but only if their beloved sycamores remained untouched and healthy. So the buildings were built around the trees and it makes for a magical place.
If a tree wants to occupy a space that is presently occupied by a building, the building is notched to let the tree win. I love that!
Although the shops are very high end, they were all so friendly and welcoming.
We didn't even try to go inside the chapel (next time I will).
David is always happy to help others to capture the moment.
David took the opportunity to discuss the world of physics with Einstein.
The shops were just as charming on the inside.
Copper Wind Sculptures by Lyman Whitaker
outside the Vue by Renee Taylor Gallery
outside the Vue by Renee Taylor Gallery
Ken Rowe, the owner of the Rowe Gallery, was sculpting a horse in clay.
This was the inside of the Rowe Gallery. The Sycamores were welcome and so was Sam.
All of the Galleries were dog-friendly. They didn't mind Sam sniffing the $37,500 sculpture.
Midgley Bridge will deserve a closer look as will the other bridges (Navajo Bridge, Salt River Canyon Bridge, and Pump House Wash Bridge) along Hwy 89 to Flagstaff.
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