Road trip to Sedona and almost to the Grand Canyon....

We are on the road in north central Arizona. We left the safe confines of our gated Mesa community this morning at 6:00 a.m. We did this to beat the Phoenix rush hour traffic as we had to traverse much of the valley of the sun on our way north on Interstate 17. Our first destination this morning was the magical red rock town of Sedona. With Pine and Juniper trees as well as green shrubs and grasses glistening in the morning sun contrasting the red rock of the surrounding hills, dirt, gravel and cement sidewalks, it was truly a sight that is difficult to describe. To help I have included a couple of photos shot this morning.

After a hearty (second) breakfast at Jose's Cafe we headed into the heart of red rock country. Our first stop was a Scenic Pullout just before we entered the town of Sedona. Aside from getting a couple of great shots of Dana, we spotted a Western Bluebird, 2 Kestrel Hawks and a Red Tail Hawk. Was this an omen of good birding to follow? Come along with us.....

Our next stop was Red Rock State Park, 5 miles west of Sedona. This park is an Environmental Education Centre. I believe it caters to school and other groups wanting to learn more about the environment in this area of the State. We went on a 2 hour hike through their Riparian area and in the surrounding hills. While we did not see many birds this day but what we did see was absolutely fantastic. Our big score today was the sighting of a Common Black Hawk. This was confirmed by a notice in the park visitors centre that indicated that the Common Black Hawk, which is not so common, makes its home in the area. In fact, there is some effort to support the hawk and to increase their numbers. What a beauty this hawk is. We also spotted a pair of Western Bluebirds, a Black Phoebe, a Juniper Tit-mouse, Yellow Rumped Warblers, Ruby Crowned Kinglets and another Red Tail Hawk.

After a picnic lunch at the Park we headed north into the Oak Creek Canyon. About 10 miles north of Sedona we stopped to hike the West Fork Trail. It is about a 3 1/2 mile hike from the trail head to the end of the trail. This day we had time for only about 2 miles in, then out. The elevation was a factor. The trail head is at about 5,000 feet elevation. Had we gone to the end of the trail we would have ended up at around the 7,000 ft mark. The West Fork trail winds it's way up Oak Creek. We had to traverse the creek 9 times on the way in and 7 times on the way out. Because of the elevation we actually hiked in and out of snow patches throughout the hike. Now for the hiking quiz of the day. Why did we have to cross the creek 9 times on the way in, and only 7 times on the way out? Answer:

A) The water in the creek was higher on the way in and lower on the way out?
B) It was Dana's fault.
C) The intrepid leader, Barry, took a wrong turn and went "off" resulting in 2 additional crossings.

Post your answer in the comments section. Prizes will be awarded for the correct answer.

Tonight we are safely tucked into our motel room in Flagstaff. Yet another, "but at least it is clean" roadside motel. We enjoyed a good meal at an Outback Steak House within walking distance from our Motel.

Day 2 - Our plan to travel to the Grand Canyon was interrupted by snow. We got up to the white stuff this morning. We checked the weather forecast and found that the weather forecast for the Canyon was not what we had expected. After some discussion we decided to put the trip on hold until...next year.

Enjoy the pictures. Don't forget to enlarge the photos for some awesone scenic shots.

Two beauties....Dana and one of the red rock mountains of Sedona....