Thursday, May 4, 2017, Up in the Air!

While looking for the Sedona Welcome Center (they have the best hiking maps), we stumbled into a “welcome center” that was a kiosk belonging to the Hyatt. After a friendly conversation about the best sights in the area, we agreed to a 90-minute sales pitch in exchange for a free helicopter tour through Sedona's red rock mountains.

That was a no-brainer. We have endured timeshare presentations for far less in the past.

The presentation did indeed last the full 90 minutes and included some tempting offers. We managed to say “thanks, but no thanks” and walked away with tickets for a sunset air tour at 6 o'clock.

David jumping into the belly of the beast, a Bell 206!

How did I get picked as CoPilot?  I think because I must weigh about the same as the Pilot.  Generally not good, but this time it paid off!

Cathedral rock next to a vortex

It's hard to identify some of the formations (they all have names), but the pilot gave a running narration through headsets that helped a bit.

If we live in Sedona someday, a rooftop deck would be a must to take in the majesty.

Courthouse Butte and Bell Rock were the easiest to recognize.

Tatianna (we went up with another couple) was worried about motion sickness but reported that it didn't bother her in the least.

Midgley Bridge

Steamboat Rock

Lee Mountain

We hiked up to this plateau (Brin's Mesa) the day before and it was quite a workout.

The 12 minutes of airtime flew by (pun intended) in a blink of an eye.

Our take away: Are the tours worth the high cost? Yes, with caveats. Make sure you have a guarantee (if possible) that you will not sit in a middle seat. Pay the extra money to have a helicopter with no doors (they do obstruct the view). Next time (on our own dime) we want to take the Grand Canyon West “Signature Tour” ($525 pp). A 7-hour tour that includes so much it makes your head spin. (Pay extra for a private tour.)

The safety crew gladly snapped our picture while the blades whirled overhead.  Was it worth sitting through the 90-minute travel sales pitch earlier in the day?  You bet it was! 

While waiting for our flight, we talked to someone that had just finished the “Hog Wild Tour,” ($199 pp) a 45-minute flight that they said was over in a flash. We deduced that our 15-minute “Bear Wallow Run” tour (normally $99 pp) would just barely whet our appetite.

That was indeed the case. Over so quickly and left you wanting more.

As we stopped at the Red Rocks Ranger Station, we were almost too late for a sunset picture of Bell Rock.  Courthouse Butte was still aglow.

Wednesday, May 3, 2017, Brin's Mesa Hike

Joani researched the best trails around Sedona and decided to start with Brins Mesa Trail. We made a loop out of the hike by returning via Soldier's Pass trail to Jordan trail to Cibola Pass trail. It was a little over five miles with more than a five hundred foot elevation gain. The sun and a warm day (90 degrees) made it a challenge. 

This sighting was a portent of things to come.

I ventured ahead and took a side trail that some fellow hikers told us about. It led out onto an overlook - what a view!

David is being kind not mentioning that I was exhausted!!!  I was not going to take an extra step that didn't get me closer to home.  Sam and I gladly rested in the shade of a tree while David explored the top of the mesa.  I snapped his picture waving to me from the top of the outcropping in the top quarter of the photo.  Can you see him?

David took some great shots of a brilliant yellow and black Scott's Oriole.

When I saw the lizard below, I froze and it froze. I slowly moved my camera up for a shot and this critter (I estimated to be more than a foot long) posed like a runway model.

This guy (or gal) was adorable.  It was the most colorful lizard I have ever seen.  It made it easier to pick it out of a list of Arizona lizards.

Eventually, it made its way across the trail and joined its baby and they both let me take a few more shots.

IGUANIDAE Crotaphytinae (subfamily) - Sonoran or Great basin - I'm not sure.

Spotted Towhee

Devil's Kitchen Sinkhole on Soldiers Pass trail.

Monday, May 1, 2017, Tuzigoot NM and Jerome, AZ

Again, not far from our base camp at the Krazy K RV Park in Camp Verde, AZ, on the outskirts of Clarkdale, AZ, was Tuzigoot National Monument. Tuzigoot was the Apache word for "crooked water" and sounded good to the archaeologists who first studied the ruins. This sprawling complex was once a thriving metropolis for the Sinagua people between 1000 and 1400.

A total of 87 ground floor rooms have been uncovered on the 120-foot high hill overlooking the Verde Valley. In the Visitor's Center were a few pictures taken in the early 1900's when excavation first started. It appeared to be nothing more than a barren hilltop.

Now, every time I see a hill that appears to be a pile of rubble, I wonder what might be hiding beneath.

The interesting thing to note about their architecture - almost all of the rooms had no doors or windows (two rooms were found to be the exception). Access to each room was believed to be through a hole in the roof using a ladder. I'm going to play archaeologist and guess maybe that was to keep out the wild animals at night.

Heading up the Black Hills towards Mingus Mountain we visited the quaint little town of Jerome. We were here a few years ago with our friends, Loren and Sharon.  Not much had changed - still mostly small galleries with pricey artwork. Since our interest is limited to looking, expensive and unique is the best kind of art. It was too early for lunch, so we drove out to the old Gold Mine and Ghost Town first.

We drove up the Forest Service road above the Ghost Town. The view included a mysterious azure blue pool (I assumed was related to mining) and smoke on the horizon that seemed to be in the direction of our campground (apparently, it was a controlled burn that was well beyond our "home.")

Back in Jerome, we stopped in the World's Largest Kaleidoscope shop, the Nellie Bly. This shop is our favorite and an absolute "must see" if you are ever in the area. If we hit the lottery and have a nice sticks and bricks home again someday, the garden planter kaleidoscope will be ours.

This is a very hands-on store.  Touch all you want, they encourage it.  They even offer "make your own Kaleidoscope" classes later in the year.

The Garden Kaleidoscope is my favorite!  These are made by Bob Anderson and will set you back $3,900.00.

The bowl turns and makes a mesmerizing display!

This kaleidoscope is called "Whirling Fantasies" ($3,600.00) made by Steven Gray.

This beauty, the Whirling Fantasies, is the first time I've seen a linear display.

Steve Failows makes magnificent kaleidoscopes using minerals and driftwood as the base.  This one is "Cacite from Brazil."  This work of art will set you back $1,200.00.

Failows' scopes not only create the center ball, but they also have the periphery interest.

Another Garden Kaleidoscope filled with cacti! (Bob Anderson - $3,900.00).

I should have taken a video!  Why didn't I think of that?  Now we need to go back!

This lowrider truck was parked outside a bar.  I was hoping nobody was going to be concerned with Joani leaning in to take pictures.

What a work of art!  I love this lowrider 1938 Ford pickup truck.  So much so that I took 36 pictures!!!

It is so unique and had the Jerome plate, so I deduced it was owned by a local.  I also assumed I might find more information on the internet.

I finally hit pay dirt when an artist painted its likeness. The bicycle is always in the truck bed making it easy to spot.  The painting gave me the "38 Ford" and adding keywords "Jerome AZ truck" led me to a youtube video posted by "Rat Rod Addiction."

This truck does not show up in the video until minute 6:06 (thru 6:34) and then again at 9:05 (thru 9:10).

The video has a great shot (from a drone) of Jerome starting at minute 8:20 and it ends above Jerome at the Ghost Town.

Up the hill, we had lunch at the Haunted Hamburger. A dog-friendly patio, beautiful view and excellent food capped off another nice day of exploration in Arizona.

I had the best burger of my life at the Haunted Hamburger!  Cooked to perfection and topped with bacon, cheddar, swiss, mushrooms, green chilies, grilled onions and guacamole.  Just ask for the "Haunted Hamburger." You're welcome.