The day after Christmas, the sun came out, and it was time to go hiking. And we heard that no parking permit was necessary for the day–I guess the rangers need another day off. But first, one last good snow picture before it melts…
We went on a hike with David. Jim had a sore foot, and Leilani got itchy under her cast when she hiked, so the grandparents and Leilani stayed home. Our first choice was Boynton Canyon, so we drove out and couldn’t resist the side trail to the vista, a vortex spot we had visited 2 years ago (the one with the rainbow and flute player):
Looking into Boynton Canyon, especially scenic with sunshine and snow:
On the way back to the car, we met the flute player who hands out heart-shaped rocks to everyone. He gave Sonja another one, even though she said she still had one from 2 years ago. Later in the trip, Leilani was inspired to carve her own heart rocks.
We enjoyed the view again, but the resort in the canyon was chainsawing broken branches from the snow, and the canyon was more shaded than we thought, so we changed plans. Andy found a map that showed a trail back toward Sedona, facing south for sunshine and less chance of snow. After a bit of mud and snow, it started up toward a formation called Lizard Head in the sun:
There were some nice views back toward Fay canyon where we hiked yesterday:
But then the trail kept going up and up into the rocks. Fortunately, we ran into some people who told us it looped back down after a while, but not before we got up high and close to some rocks on some little ledges, with nice views of Chimney Rock:
Late afternoon, looking back toward Boyton Vista point (the two little needles in the sun just above the trees):
Speaking of needles in the sun:
Meanwhile, back at the time-share, Grandma was teaching Leilani how to sew her own dresses, on a sewing machine she brought in the car all the way from Texas:
