Montezuma's Castle, Arizona

While at Camp Verde we drove down the road to Montezuma's Castle.  We had gone to see Montezuma's Well a few days earlier.

http://www.nps.gov/moca/index.htm
http://www.nps.gov/moca/montezuma-well.htm

Montezuma's Castle was settled by the Sinagua Indians around 900 years ago.  Montezuma was never in the area.  The National Park Service does such a good job with these special places.  10% of the walls needed to be restored. They used the same materials the Indians used.  They dug the clay and dirt from the nearby river.  You can see the color change on the Castle.  The white color is the unrestored walls and the coffee color is the restored area.  The Indians used ladders to get up to the castle.  You should be able to click on the picture below to enlarge it to see the color change. 

We lucked out when we arrived just as one of the Park Rangers started a talk about the Castle and the Sinagua Indians. Very informative and inspiring.

To see more, click the link below, select slide show and then hit F-11 on your computer to enlarge.

https://picasaweb.google.com/ChrisTorrance/MontezumaCastle?authkey=Gv1sRgCNaX4Zjl-5bQjAE

Red Rock State Park, Sedona, Arizona

We drove over to Sedona to see and hike Red Rock State Park.  http://www.pr.state.az.us/parks/RERO/index.html

It's a good thing we decided not to take Pilot with us as NO DOGS are allowed in the park.  We took the Apache Fires Trail.  Alex let Chris lead the way.  This made it possible for Chris to do the hike and not have to try and keep up with a Marine trying to get to the end as fast as possible.  We were able to stop and smell the roses so to speak. 

It was a beautiful day to enjoy such a beautiful place. 

Here's a few pictures.

https://picasaweb.google.com/ChrisTorrance/RedRockStatePk?authkey=Gv1sRgCJT1p7y78tbFtgE#

Sedona Snow

We've been hanging out in the Prescott/Camp Verde area while the weather clears/warms up in the Flagstaff/Grand Canyon area.

Now, we are staying at Distant Drums RV Park in Camp Verde.

We decided to go for a ride to Sedona to see the snow that fell yesterday on the red rocks.  Being a beautiful Sunday, everyone else had the same idea.  Because of the traffic it was difficult to stop and take pictures.  Most of these are from a moving car.  They turned out pretty good. 

Yes, Sedona has become a big tourist trap area but you cannot deny the shock and awe effect when you come into town.  We've been to Sedona about 15 times and it still amazes us with it's beauty.  We were first in Sedona long ago in 1981.  It was a one street village with a little motel that we stayed in.  I think there was a gas station and a cafe. 

Here's our pictures.  Click the link, select slideshow and hit F-11 on your computer to enlarge. 

https://picasaweb.google.com/ChrisTorrance/SedonaSnowApril2011?authkey=Gv1sRgCK6xnJLSxbiougE#

Evening hike

Here at Eagle View RV Park, on the Yavapai Indian Reservation, there are trails you can hike.  It's a beautiful area, especially right now.  It rained not long ago and the desert came alive.  Spring is here.  It will be a short one as the temps are in the 90's already. 

Here's some pictures of our hike.  Click the link, select slideshow and hit F-11 to enlarge your screen. 

https://picasaweb.google.com/ChrisTorrance/EagleViewHike?authkey=Gv1sRgCOPSoOvvwLquIw#

ONE YEAR

Today, April 2nd, is our one year anniversary full timing in our motorhome.  We can't wait to do 20 more years!!!!

When we look back on this blog we can't believe all the places we've been and wonderful people we've been able to visit and meet in just one year.  We feel very fortunate.