Sedona, Oak Creek Canyon, Painted Desert & Petrified Forest

Richard in the Painted Desert

Today Richard and I had planned to go south to Sedona and then go horseback riding. Well, I tried four different horse trail ranches and none were able to help us out; cattle drives or they don't work on Sunday or they are leaving in an hour and you won't make it, etc. So, no horseback riding. :( We did drive to Sedona, however, and through the Oak Creek Canyon down Rt 89. Sedona is located at the end of this gorge. Sedona reminds me of a desert North Conway; a popular touristy type town situated in the midst of some of Mother Nature's best work. There were many new age religion shops, artist galleries, and extremely expensive homes built into the red rock of the canyon...talk about homes with a view!! There are many hiking trails, bike paths, etc. in Sedona...but to stay there is rather pricey so not sure how many hikers and bikers actually find lodging in the town. What is great about Sedona is the towering Oak Creek Canyon walls that serve as a backdrop to sandstone shops and restaurants.

Oak Creek Canyon

View from Sedona

Cathedral Rock

Oak Creek Canyon towers over Rt 89. Hairpin turns up and down the canyon walls make for a very interesting ride. There is only one scenic vista point...the rest of the time, you'd need to pull over to a one or two car spot off the side of the road that was set up at various points. I stopped here and there on my way into Sedona. But on the other side of the town is Cathedral Rock. I had to go through the town to get a photograph of it, and it was worth the extra couple of miles.

The Painted Desert

Richard and I walked around a bit, he had lunch, I had a coffee, and then we headed back north. I thought we could take a trip east to the Painted Desert and the Petrified Forest. After stopping at the hotel to 'level set' we took off again going Rt 40 East. Unfortunately, I read the mileage wrong and found it was a lot longer ride than anticipated. As I was driving east I was debating turning around...then decided to follow through. As we got closer, the sky began to darken. More rain was on the way. The travel brochure said you should visit the Painted Desert late afternoon to catch the sun as it made the stones in the sand sparkle. Guess no sparkles today!!

Petrified Forest

We bought gasoline at the park (yes, inside the park...!) at the old style pumps (not digital). They were already on...you fill up and go tell the cashier how much you put in. That was pretty interesting. We drove through the park, beginning at the Painted Desert and traveling through to the other side of Rt 66 to the Petrified Forest. The painted desert was beautiful in the darkening day, I can just imagine how it must be in sunlight! By the time we made it to the Petrified Forest, the rain was coming down, the skies were dark. We got some photos, but not sure what will be visible on them, it wasn't the best of conditions. But, we made it there and saw enough to make us happy we made the extra ride.

We ended the day with pizza in the room. Tomorrow, our mild water Colorado River Trip and Desert Hummer Adventure.