The Red Rocks of Sedona

Andew and I returned from a trip to Sedona and Grand Canyon. This was our first trip alone in 12 years. Sedona is so beautiful...words that come to mind to describe it are: sensual, mystical, serene, vibrant. It is a contrast of the vivid red rocks next to the pale desert.

The area is known as the Red Rocks because of the picturesque red mountains resulting from their iron oxide content.

Every morning we would go for a one or two-hour hike around various mountains. Our favourite was "Bell" Mountain.

The Red Dust Clings to Everything After a Walk

You had to plan your days carefully around the temperature. This was, afterall, desert. You had to be finished your hiking by 11:00am and then resume after 5:00pm. We could start our morning at 56F and end the day at 122F.

Swimming and lounging during the afternoon heatwave

We hiked up Cathedral Mountain which was considered strenuous (and it was) but worth the effort.

A breathtaking archeological destination was Montezuma's Castle. This was the cliff dwelling for 60 Pueblo Indian families. It is simply chilling to see this site and the ingenuity of these mysterious people who lived here from 1240 to 1400 a.d. and then simply abandoned this structure.

Montezuma's Castle

This beautiful church was designed by Marguerite Brunswig Staude, a student of Frank Lloyd Wright and it is situated on a small mountain, between two pillars.

Chapel of the Holy Cross