Arizona in August 2018 - #3

THURSDAY, 9 AUGUST:

This morning I was off at 0400 in order to meet a photography friend at the entrance to the West Fork of Oak Canyon, located North of Sedona, AZ. We were on the trail by 0500, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Derek was a great guide and very thoughtful. Derek Von Briesen is a  professional photographer who lives in Sedona, and has been published by National Geographic, Arizona Highways, USA Today, Outwest Publishing, the Weather Channel and a number of local and regional guidebooks, magazines and newspapers.

He was also full of the history of the area which he shared with me and hikers who were coming into the canyon as we left. Zane Gray wrote many stories of the west while staying here. Though we started photographing before sunrise we got some nice reflections of the walls lit by indirect light. Thank you Derek.  

RED WALL AND REFLECTION

LOOKING UP

LOWER CANYON VIEW

CREEK AND REFLECTION

ALONG THE PATH INTO THE CANYON

On my way back to Flagstaff I stopped at the head of the canyon for the view and to quickly peruse the various tables set up by the Navajo to sell their wares. 

VIEW FROM HEAD OF OAK CREEK CANYON

When I got back to the hotel the others had already had breakfast. I had a quick breakfast and then retired for a nap! Afterwards we were off to Sedona which is a beautiful city situated in a lovely valley with many geological features to photograph.

Once we got our bearings we were off to The Chapel of the Holy Cross, located a short distance from downtown. The chapel was the gift of Marguerite Brunswig Staude, a sculptress, philanthropist, and devote Catholic who believed the arts should be in service of spirit. She considered this chapel to be her greatest artistic achievement and the fulfillment of her life’s mission. 

CHAPEL OF THE HOLY CROSS

LOOKING TO THE SOUTHWEST

A nunnery in Budapest became excited about the design and planned to place the church above the Danube River. World War interfered with those plans. This site was chosen after much searching in both Europe and the U.S.

We returned to downtown and enjoyed a late lunch at the Cowboy Club Restaurant. It was close to the Pink Jeep 

Tours that I had contacted for a late afternoon tour of the back country. We had a very knowledgeable driver and enjoyed our three hour tour to the Mogollon Rim. Regrettably it was not a clear day as there was a combination of smoke and haze in the air.

 CHARLES SHULTZ AND SNOOPY NAPING 

SNOOPY

Regrettably it was not a clear day as there was a combination of smoke and haze in the air.

WEATHERED TREE

TRUNK DETAIL

We still enjoyed the adventure and returned to Flagstaff after dark. Thankfully we did not see any wildlife on the road.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 10:

Last night we bid farewell to our friends as they would leave in the morning for Los Angeles, and we would head a
little further South to San Diego. We left early in the morning so that we could meet a dear friend, Carol Ogburn, and fellow GRCNP volunteer, in Prescott for breakfast. We enjoyed getting together with her at Cuppers Coffee House in the downtown area. 

The drive home from there was pretty straight forward and one we have done often. It is a scenic drive and worth the little extra time. Our route was through Yarnell, then down to Yuma via Quartzsite. We were home by 1700. 

It  was good to be home with the opportunity to stretch our legs and unwind.  We bought deli sandwiches on the way home so dinner was quite simple and made more enjoyable with a cold Modelo Negra. 

We will return to Arizona next year, but at a different time of the year.