Sedona and Scottsdale Arizona

Hummingbird moth enjoying the Delphinium nectar.

We picked up our friends Kim and Rich at the PHX airport and WestJet was miraculously on time yeh!. We continued our drive north to Sedona. They have never been to Arizona, unfortunately it was dark and they did not get to see the stupendous, breathtaking vista view of the glorious red rock formations as you drive into Sedona.

They were in for a treat the next morning as I had booked us into Sedona Summit with Mesa Views.

Our balcony had full Mesa views.

Zoomed in photo off of our balcony.

We had amazing views off of our balcony! We did not get to see any  Javelina families walking by on the ground below, they are usually in the vicinity.

We drove into Sedona and up to Oak Creek Canyon which is a very pretty drive and went to my favorite restaurant Wildflower Bread Company for Potato Soup in a Sourdough Bread Bowl, yum! We walked around and shopped and walked down to Tlaquepaque which is a cool Spanish style shopping center. We noticed a hummingbird but not a hummingbird but a Hummingbird Moth which was very pretty. We get different colored ones in Saskatoon.

On our walk to Tlaquepaque shopping area, Mesa views surround the downtown Sedona area.

Beautiful Hummingbird Moth.

In Oak Creek Canyon.

It was a hot day when we walked down to Tlaquepaque Shopping area.  We had to take a shade break.

We went to the pool and relaxed and had a Margarita or two.

The next day we drove to Jordan Trail head. It has changed a bit because this area has become more developed with housing. Last time we did this trail we got lost and had to hike for 4 hours and ran out of water. This time we had some success with only missing the signage twice and backtracking twice.  We hiked up to the Sinkhole and that was very interesting and pretty with its sunken red rock formations.

Starting our hike from the Parking Lot.

Somehow we missed two signs pointing us in the correct direction.

Rocks are gorgeous here and all around Sedona.

The Sinkhole with Darren and I actually captured a rare smile for the photo.

The Libners above the Sinkhole.  Notice the rocks that surround the area.  We saw 2 very healthy looking and bold Coyotes just before we got to the Sinkhole.

Kim in her Hiking Dress.

We had worked up a thirst and made our way to Page Springs Winery where we all had an excellent lunch and Rich and I did a flight of wine each.  Rich had never experienced a wine tasting before.  Arizona is not exactly the best wine region but for his first time it was fun. 

The Vineyards behind Rich and I.

 We drove down the road and stopped at Javelina Leap Vineyard and did another flight each.  Both places had great ambiance and it was 33 degrees that day, we had fun!

Rich and I wine tasting.

You decide on your flight at the Wine Tastings

Us considering if we are going to go to Oak Creek Vineyards or a third flight.  Us wisely deciding against it.

The next day we drove out to Crescent Moon Ranch to hike along side the pretty Oak Creek surrounded by pretty red wall on one side.  Eventually you have to cross the creek and you search to find the best place to do this.  I thought everyone was behind me when I went in with my trusted Hoka runners (they dry quick).  I thought it was the best place but it turned out there were two more creeks to cross.  I sat and waited on a large red rock in the middle of the creek all by myself and nature of course.  I started hiking back on the other side and eventually they caught up to me.  It was hot that day and your feet being submerged in ice cold water was super refreshing!  

Near the beginning of our hike.

A smaller part of Oak Creek.

It is a spectacular place to spend the day and picnic and hike and swim.

Darren was trying to cross the creek here.

After that we did the Upper and Lower Scenic drive in Sedona which gave you the movie set views of the Sedona rocks.  

Looks like a movie set.

This hideous hotel has desecrated the landscape.  We could not believe that this was allowed to be built.

We were hungry and made our way back to Sedona downtown area and ate at one of our favorite Wood Fire Pizza places called Pisa Lisa.  They sell freshly made Gelato now and we had to try it.  The Coffee Chocolate Shaving was absolutely hands down the best textured, and taste Gelato I have ever had.  It was so good we ventured down there the next day only to be disappointed as there were new flavors out and NO Coffee Gelato, dang.  I have no photos of this place because I was too busy stuffing my face!

Fay Canyon Trail head was our last hike in Sedona.  It was Saturday and the trails were way too busy but we still had fun.  It was an easy flat hike but it was smokin hot again.  The trail is surrounded by red rock canyon on both sides and it is beautiful.  We had wild flowers that had just bloomed on the sides of the trail and that was very pretty.  

Me climbing backwards off a boulder and Kim trying to assist me with my crap knee.

Kim and Rich wanted to see the Chapel of the Holy Cross which is built into the red rock.  The traffic was ridiculous and we got out of the car and walked up the trail to the Chapel and by the time Darren drove up there we were already done taking our photos and ready to hop into the car.

The Chapel of the Holy Cross is seen to the left of the photo. You would not believe the tourists, yikes.  Don't go there on a weekend.

Photo taken to the side of the Chapel.

We love Sedona and will return again and again.

We drove back to Phoenix and had to stop at Out of Africa. Darren and I have been there probably 6 times now and still love it. The drive through bus Safari is cool.

On the Safari Bus and ready for some fun!

Darren hand feeding the Giraffe out the window of the bus.  I think the Giraffe licked my phone.

Ostriches can not be trusted and remain behind bars.  There was a double gate system to get into the Safari area.

Various Antelope species can be viewed along side the bus.

You are not allowed to touch or pet the Giraffe.  They are so gentle that you almost forget and find yourself reaching out to touch them.  They are incredibly sensitive to touch and they would pull up quickly and hit their head on the inside of the bus and hurt themselves, and you don't want that to happen.

These African Water Buffalo are smart.  They block the bus from moving until the driver throws cookie concoctions out to them and then they will move.

 Tiger Splash is still the highlight for us. Libners loved it too!  We stayed 4 nights at Hilton Scottsdale Links to give the Libners a taste of the area.  

Tigers love water.  They voluntarily went into the water and laid there and cooled off right before the show.

They run into the water to attack the water toys.  They have their favorite and won't give them up unless they give them a piece of raw chicken.

These are very large animals but if well fed they just want to play with their toys and splash down into the water.  It is now a 20 minute show only and there was just the one Tiger this time.  Usually there are two Tigers at play.

Rich looking dapper.

We learned a great deal about Hyenas the first time we went to Out of Africa.  The original owner talked to us for about an hour and went in and played with her pet Hyena whom she reared from a pup.  This old lady Hyena is now 23 years old.  

This cougar was stunning.

You can pay 5$ and feed this beauty through the fence.

Their Lions are a good looking healthy group of animals.

He would not turn around for me.

Cardinals were wild and everywhere taking the spoils of cookies left over from the Water Buffalo.

The goal coming back to Scottsdale for a few nights was to hike Camelback Mountain again but the record breaking heatwave stopped that idea.  38 degrees is no joke and not a good time to hike in your 60s.  We did a lot of shopping and movies. 

There is a great Mexican restaurant across the street from Nordstrom Last Chance on Camelback Road.

Movie Night and a bushel of Popcorn.

We went to the Museum of Illusions, we had never been there before.

This involved me living on my back and Rich lying on his stomach to set this photo up.

Darren enjoyed my head on a platter.

Mirrors are a large part of illusion.

They had a lot of pictures which were freaky and real looking.

This was also a cute photo op.

 Due to the extreme heat in Scottsdale we ended up sitting out on our shaded balcony and being confined to aircon.  However there are a ton of things to do in the area.