We approached Sedona on the Scenic Byway 179 snd entered Coconino National Forest and stopped off at the visitor centre where we were told there were 89 trails to hike in the Sedona area ... where to start ... 2 days was obviously not going to be long enough!



We continued to Oak Creek, where we decided to stop and hike the Llama Trail, a loop hike with views of Bell Rock, Courthouse Butte and Cathedral Rock. There was a photo at every turn, and different undergrowth too, with a variety of cacti and flowers, and we even saw a horned lizard.







Maybe it was only a matter of time, and we were lucky it hadn't happened sooner to one of us ... I turned an ankle! I proceeded to hobble a mile or so back to the car. After an evening of ICE, the swelling had reduced by the morning sufficiently for some sightseeing, if not hiking.

We stayed at the Baby Quail Inn, motel rooms, with a pretty garden and hot tub ... and a celebrity! The owner is Dick Curtis, who had a long showbiz career, including appearing in shows like The Jonathan Winters Show and The Mary Tyler Moore Show as well as live in theatres in towns all over the US and abroad. The walls of the breakfast room are testament to his career.

 



Coffee and muffins inside us, we went for a scenic drive round Boynton Canyon then the Red Rock Loop, taking more pics, but there are only so many views of red rocks you want to see ...

The final stop was near Airport Mesa. We didn't realise before we came, but Sedona is woo-woo central! There are several vortex spots around town that can apparently rebalance your energy and they attract many people who want to experience this. Not surprisingly, there are also lots of new age shops and spiritual services here too. The airport vortex was the closest one to the road for me to hobble to. As promised, there were twisted juniper trees, affected apparently by the energy ... but we've been seeing those everywhere. I sat, and listened to the helicopter coming in to land at the airport, the cars driving up the road, and looking over towards downtown Sedona ... and couldn't quite connect with the promised energy ... maybe I have some distance to travel yet on my path!

Later we stopped at the Chapel of the Holy Cross, which was set in front of an amphitheatre of red rocks. Looking down the aisle, the huge cross was set into an enormous window overlooking, the valley ... certainly quite a site ... and a sight!



Lured by a giant chicken, we couldn't resist a little retail therapy and happy snapping round the Son Silver West Gallery, a treasure trove of southwestern trinkets.





On our way again, north to Flagstaff.