Month: March 2017

We spent the morning prepping sauerkraut and potatoes for dinner, Rosemary came over for more sewing with Leilani, then we (Sonja and Andy) went hiking with Michel and Xavier. We had planned to do a different Cathedral Peak trailhead, but traffic was so bad they couldn’t drive north, so we drove south to meet them and did exactly the same hike as 2 years ago. Which was fortunate because it was a really nice hike along the stream then up on the rocks.

We took a similar picture behind Cathedral Rock 2 years ago:

After the stream and hiking up a little gully, we got to the rocks and the climb up to the gap between the peaks:

It was crowded at the gap, so we continued to the less crowded second gap…

…with views of Courthouse Butte in the distance:

It was getting late, but that never stopped us from continuing on to the deserted 3rd gap with more views:

We saw this crack last time, but this time, I figured out how to climb up into it, so I did:

By now it was getting later, and the sun was starting to set back at the first gap. Andy took 2 pictures of the rocks and sky, and Sonja did an HDR composition in ye olde photoshoppe:

On the way down, there were beautiful sunset colors on the rocks to the east:

And then as we went around the main formation and down the gully again, we caught an incredible Arizona sunset (and took too many photos):

From the same spot as the first picture on this post, with less light:

We were running late, and it was almost dark, but we could still see the trail. Except under the trees when we all turned on our phone flashlights. Jim and Rosemary, David, and Leilani were waiting for us at Michel’s house, and we heated up our sauerkraut dinner. Michel and Xavier ran out to get wine and bread, and Andy ran back to Poco Diablo to get the potatoes he forgot to pack. But in the end, we had a delicious Austrian sauerkraut dinner and a nice evening at Michel’s house.

We were lucky with the weather, after the snow, we had great sunshine and almost warm. We went hiking in Fay canyon with Shawn:

We called this the wineglass, I guess we have been drinking a lot every day:

When this wet tree caught the sun, it steamed and looked like it was breathing:

Andy says: so many side canyons to explore some day…

Wineglass from the other side:

As we went up the canyon, there were formations on either side, but the east side was in the full afternoon sun. This one reminded us of a ship:

The trail ends where the stream and canyon split. We climbed on some cold boulders and kept going on the left (west) fork a bit further. A use trail climbed up the rocks for some spectacular views straight down the canyon we had just hiked up. I (Andy) think that is Courthouse Butte in the distance:

The tree with a seat and view about where the previous image was taken:

The canyon was split by a large formation, and we were clambering along its base:

I (Andy) went exploring up the other (right/east) branch, there was no trail, but I got to a point where I could see a thin waterfall coming down a side gully. I imagine it was from the recent snow melting and flowing very rarely, and I wished I could go see it:

Fay canyon has an arch on the side wall, halfway back down to the trailhead. It’s hard to see because it’s barely detatched from the wall that it formed out of. On the way down we went looking for the arch and actually found it, up a side trail, off the beaten path. Once under it, we could see the arch clearly:

The rocks behind the arch were inviting us to go climb them:

Under the arch and overhang, there were rock walls that were probably not from native inhabitants, and some wind-carved alcoves:

We decided to go up to the top of the arch, it was a bit of a climb, but doable and gave a different perspective:

The shadows were creeping up the canyon walls, time to head back to the car:

Shawn joined us for dinner, David made potsticker soup and pickled cucumbers – it was very good and enjoyable.

—

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:

David’s photos from the balcony of their time-share/rental studio. They were in West Sedona, with a view back toward Coffee Pot Rock and the formation above it. By the time we saw this several days later, a lot of the snow had melted:

We woke up on fairly early for Christmas day, and because the snow was fresh and the weather was clearing, we decided to go to the Airport Vortex for some views (I remember 2 years ago at the same place, looking for a dusting of snow on the far peaks). They did not disappoint:

Our time-share condo from the outside (notice the chimneys, we don’t see those in Hawaii):

… and vincinity of the Paco Diablo Resort

Sonja went for a walk along the stream, getting some good snow pictures with her new camera:

The rest of the family came over, and it was finally time for Christmas!



Indoor snowball fight with wrapping paper

I think it snowed again a little bit while we opened presents, but then it cleared up again. We all went on another snowy walk, first along the golf course, then down by the stream (and another snowball fight):

We then hopped in the cars and drove a short ways to see the late afternoon light on the rocks nearby:

Back at the time-share again for games (Settlers of Catan), traditional Raclette dinner (yum), and more games: