Arizona - 3/16 - 3/25 - Sedona Area

 3/16 - (Saturday) I arrived at Matt and Lenore's in Cornville, AZ in the evening and it was so good to see them!  Lenore and I worked together at BioTek.  I think she was hired shortly after me and joined me in the service department.  She was also a TAC (Technical Assistance Center) engineer until she moved up and out into the Marketing and Sales dept.  In the early days we were friends and she, Matt, Jeff, and I would hang out.  Not too much, but we were friends.  Sadly we seemed to drift apart, but were always work friends.  Both she and Matt are wonderful and so incredibly welcoming.  I had not intended to stay here for more than a few days and thought I would be sleeping in the van, but they invited me and Zoe in and we took them up on their generous offer.  After spending 6 days with Eleanor, then 5 with Jack and Kathy, and now 8 with Lenore and Matt.  I'm getting a bit spoiled with the comforts of a home.  Like Jack and Kathy, Lenore and Matt offered the use of their car as well!  

I ended up staying here so long for a couple of reasons - 1) They are so welcoming and laid back!  And keep saying I can stay as long as I like.  2)  I got a chip in my windshield that I organized to have fixed on Wednesday and I had some big ugly red blob on my cheek that I managed to make an appointment with a dermatologist (mostly gone now) for Tuesday.  3)  There is a lot to do around here and the weather was a bit cold and rainy for the first few days (the theme of my van life experience!).  

I've been trying to think of where to go next and struggling with the weather.  I was considering heading West to California and going to Death Valley, but that would mean backtracking (and driving on the horrible AZ roads) and though one day (today) was going to be only 71, otherwise it was going to be way too warm for Zoe.  I decided that though it's not my preference, it is better for Zoe, so I'm just going to keep heading to places in Northern AZ and southern UT for now.  Yesterday, it was only in the mid 60s and mostly cloudy and Zoe struggled.  Today, it was around 50, cloudy, and breezy and she did so much better.  Since the diesel tank for my heater is so small, I don't like to have to use that all the time, but this is the desert, so I guess it is what it is and I'll just have to fill it regularly if I'm going to be off grid and in cold temps.  I had thought I'd have to pull out my summery clothes, but I guess not!  

3/17 - We met up with Matt's sister Leslie and her husband Dan for a walk at Dead Horse State Park.  Nice place to walk the dogs around a couple of ponds.  Bald eagle and nice views.

We met up with Lenore's friend, Lori and had an excellent lunch.  After that we took a drive into Sedona.  I was in awe so I didn't take too many photos and just took in the sights.  We drove up Dry Creek Rd towards where Lenore worked for a year or so.  Wow!  What a drive.  I wouldn't mind driving to work with that view.  In VT, my drive had gorgeous spots, but not this is awe inspiring about 80% of the drive.  

Zoe and Bertie curling up together.

3/18 - On Monday, while Lenore and Matt worked, I went to Montezuma Castle and Montezuma Well.  Dog friendly National Monuments.  😍

Montezuma Well - pretty incredible.  This is a spring fed "well"/sinkhole that produces 1100 gallons per MINUTE!  It's about the size of a football field and the water level maintains year round.

Dwelling above the water

Zoe drinking from the outflow

Always awaiting my return

Peek-a-boo

Cozy

3/19 - After my dermatology appt (I have to say that it was nice to have normal insurance with BCBS via the Vermont network rather than my other "insurance"), we went to Tuzigoot, which is a 2-3 story pueblo, which is super close to my base.  It's an extension of Montezuma Castle and well.  All interesting, but a bit repetitive.  When I left L&Ms, it was sunny and warm, so I put on my capris and headed out.  It was super windy at Tuzigoot and quite chilly.  After Tuzigoot, I headed to Jerome, an old mining town up on the hill.  About 1/2 way up (only 4 mile drive up the mountain side) it started to rain.  Unfortunately, it didn't stop and it was down to 46 degrees!!!  So, since I was totally not prepared for that temperature and rain, we drove back down the hill and decided to come back another day.

Jerome

Gold King Mine (closed on Tuesdays).  I'm pretty sure I went through this 25 years ago when I passed this way.

View of Jerome

Once we got down the hill from Jerome, it was warm and sunny, so I took Zoe for a little hike at Cliffrose loop, which is just down the road from L&Ms.

Sunset from L&Ms

Lenore and Misty

3/19 - Matt hikes with a group on Wednesday AM and invited me along.  We had to meet the group by the ungodly hour of 7:30 AM, so I had to set my alarm!  I was very excited to get to do some key hiking around Sedona, so I said yes.  We hiked a loop of about 6 miles including around Bell Rock, up on Baby Bell, and around Courthouse Rock.  It was just breathtaking!

Iconic Bell Rock

Courthouse

View of Bell Rock from Baby Bell

The Cathedral

Matt and me

Courthouse

I might have slowed the group a bit as I was hanging behind taking in the scenery and in no hurry.  I also really enjoyed being alone in the back of the group of 15.  It was nice and quiet.  I really enjoyed the hike and the group, but I really felt the need to absorb the beauty and energy here.

3/21 - This day was the day to hit Jerome.  I planned to go into Old Town Cottonwood, but decided to go right to Jerome.  I'm glad I did as it was the perfect temp and it got busier as the day went on.  I decided to take a tour so I could really get the feel of the history.  I probably should have done a ghost tour - next time! - as it sounds interesting.  I can't say I've ever believed in ghosts, but I'm open to the experience.  Who really knows?!  

This town had somewhere between 15,000 and 20,000 residents in its day.  Now there are about 450.  

High end bordello in it's day

Building on the left is now a privately owned home.  I think it's available on Airbnb or VRBO.

Entrance to the saloon

Hotel Connor and theater

Again the privately owned home - once a hotel I think

Being built on a hill, so many places have an amazing view

Jailhouse that slid down the hill

Cool Powder box church.  The Mexicans weren't allowed to worship in the local church, so they built their own in 1939, with stucco, wire mesh and blasting powder boxes.  It's now privately owned so this is as close as I could get.

Yummy Pasty at Cornish Pasty in Jerome.  And an awesome view too.

What a great sign!

I'm not sure if this has history or not, but it's near the entrance to one of the old mines.

Can't beat that view

That's gotta be old

Old street light???  Looks like a heater!

The haunted hotel up on the hill.  I'd like to stay there.  The tour guide said that sometimes people check out the same day because of the ghosts.  👻👻👻

😍  Zoe was pooped after our day in Jerome.  She was such a good girl and so patient on the tour.

3/22 - I went to Red Rock State Park for a hike.  No dogs allowed, so I left Zoe at home with Lenore.  Lenore said Zoe did well and got up occasionally and barked, but seemed pretty relaxed otherwise.  It was sunny and warm (not hot) and she wouldn't have done well anyway.  I hiked 6-7 miles, which I could never have done with her, and it was just so lovely.  I am so drawn to these red rocks and just cannot get over how beautiful they are and do not tire of looking at them.  

We grabbed dinner at the Belfry Brewery in Old Town Cottonwood.  I had a Brisket n' Mac and it was oh, so good and I even had leftovers!   

This used to be a private home, but now belongs to the park and they are trying to figure out what to do with it.  How wonderful to be able to live there with the incredible views.

I hiked to the top of that, which was the main elevation gain during my day.  

Somehow the red rocks down by the creek looks out of place.

3/23 - Took a walk on a trail behind L&Ms house and then started preparing for leaving, like cleaning, organizing, filling water, etc.  Also, Matt helped fix a couple of things in the van, which is so much appreciated.   

Lenore and I cooked up some Indian food because we were lamenting how it's hard to find Indian restaurants in the area.  We made Chicken Tikka Masala in the instant pot and it was yummy!    

Pooped after our hike.  Soaking up the sun.

Matt cut a little square and installed it to hold a latch to hold the bottom of my warped garage door.  He also cut the screws for the handle because they were too long.  No more rattling!  😀 

Such a diva!!!  

Bertie!  😍

View of L&Ms gorgeous house

puppy pile

3/24 - Lenore and Matt went out to breakfast while I slept in.  I mostly continued my preparations for leaving, almost got caught up on this blog, and took another hike out back with Zoe, L&M, and Bertie and Misty.  Today was much cooler and cloudier, so Zoe could go longer.  You can see it snowing in the distance!  

Zoe hopped right up on the couch next to Lenore and snuggled in.  Len's hogging all the pups!!!

3/25 - Well, I did it.  I left Cornville and our comfy home for over a week.  Now Lenore and Matt can have their home back to themselves.  I am lucky that Zoe is so sweet and warms up to people so well these days.  What a long way she's come!!!  

The drive to Flagstaff was gorgeous (aside from the snow).  I think I could just drive around Sedona forever.  It is so phenomenally beautiful.  First we stopped at Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park, which is a Buddhist area and dog friendly.  What a lovely setting and very serene.  Zoe enjoyed sniffing while I tried to take in the calm and offer prayers for peace in the world.  I love the idea of Buddhism, but honestly haven't made any effort in learning much about it, other than just trying to meditate somewhat regularly.  

After that, I ran a couple of errands and then drove the lovely drive on 89a from Sedona to Flagstaff.  

"Loving kindness is my religion"

I'm not sure if this was sleet or what, but the snow pellets were soft, but about 1/4-1/3" in diameter.

Flagstaff

Flagstaff

Route 66 

My first KOA

One of my errands was to find another sheet to cover my bed.  This is the sheet that I got today.  It says it's a twin, but it should cover the mattress and not overhang a ton like my current one does.  I'm afraid to put it on the bed without washing it first and it's going to be a long time before I do laundry again.  😏  It does seem clean...  I think it's going to look great with the colors I have in here.

That's all for now.  I'm not sure where I'm headed tomorrow, but maybe Petrified Forest and Painted Desert.  Unfortunately I made a reservation for a tour in Antelope Canyon for Wednesday (today is Monday), so sadly now I have a schedule.  I didn't realize how close I am to the Petrified Forest until after I made the reservation and I had planned on going to the Grand Canyon tomorrow on my way to Page (where Antelope Canyon is).  Oh well, TBD!