Arizona-Sedona/Williams - 7 May 2011

Photo 1 : Desert Daisy

Photo 2: Enjoying coffee in Sedona.

We arrived in Arizona yesterday and it was a bit of a shock to walk out of the airport to 99 degrees! Spring in Ottawa has not been great so far and once we got over the initial shock, it was rather nice—without humidity it was quite pleasant.

I’d made a reservation for a hotel in Cottonwood, about 75 miles from Phoenix and between a long day in airports/planes, and a 3-hr time change, I think it was lights out for both of us by 9 pm. We woke up to more glorious sun and after a mondo breakfast, we headed for Sedona. The drive up 89A was so nice and that first glimpse of the red rocks was beautiful. As many times as we’ve been here, that first sight of red always takes my breath away.

I had a list of places in Arizona where there were petro glyphs and rock drawings and we chose one in Sedona. The drawings at Palatki date back 10,000 years and are notable because archeologists have determined that during that time, 7-8 different native cultures have contributed to the drawings on the grotto walls. The volunteer guide was extremely knowledgeable and it was so interesting seeing the various drawings or scratchings and learning the meaning of them (e.g. a line of diamond shapes represents diamond back rattle snakes). Various native groups have been consulted wrt interpretation of the drawings and it’s still a sacred site for all the various native groups in the area. Many of the desert wildflowers are in bloom. The day was starting to get really hot so we headed for town and a patio in the shade.

We are staying in Williams tonight and we made a spontaneous decision to take the train to the Grand Canyon tomorrow vice driving. It’s a 4 hr trip up, 3 hrs at the Canyon and then 4 hrs back to Williams. Besides seeing lots of beautiful canyon country, it makes sense as we will be doing the long drive the next day to the opposite side of the GC and up into the Navajo Reservation. I hope the steam engine is pulling tomorrow as it would make the whole experience perfect.

Tomorrow is Mother’s Day and although I won’t be with my kids in body, I’ll sure be with them in spirit. I am so fortunate to have my sweet boys and I’m very proud of the men they have become and the women they chose as life partners. Mother’s Day is every day for me!

Until next time, hugs and kisses to all.