We've just returned from a week in Sedona, Arizona, which (unlike pretty much all the other times I've been in AZ) was fun, beautiful, and full of enticements to come back.
I'd never been in the northern part of the state. Mr. P had been to Grand Canyon and, briefly, in Sedona; but for both of us, this trip provided new adventures. The weather was just about perfect, with nights in the 30s and clear skies. We both suffered a little from the extremely dry air. You know it's dry when Los Angeles seems humid by comparison!
One thing I wasn't expecting was the variety of colors. Sedona is in an area with year-round water, and consequently there are sizable deciduous trees including cottonwoods and walnuts, which provided some gorgeous views through the canyons. When we drove up to Grand Canyon, we passed through a forest of ponderosa pines interspersed with birch groves. There was just a dusting of snow on the ground, and the black and white trunks of the birches were surprisingly ... vivid, in a monochromatic way.
I'm a person who likes to be around water, so Oak Creek and Verde River were unexpected gifts. It was really great to be out in such empty country, too. I love Los Angeles, but getting away from its endless cement and crush of people sometimes helps. We didn't see every possible critter, but Mr. P spotted a javelina, I saw a herd of pronghorn, a couple of grey foxes crossed our path, and we had a lengthy conversation with a raven up at the South Rim.
There's a lot more I want to see of Arizona, but for now I'm just looking forward to doing something constructive with the hundreds of photos we took. And of course, catching up with my entries here.
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