Day 13: Oro Valley to Sedona -- Goodbye to summer and saguaro : 238 miles

We packed up and headed north today.  As we descended from Tucson (about 2,000 feet) to Phoenix (about 1,00 feet) we noticed that there were fewer and fewer saguaro and the earth became very sandy -- even more desert-like.  We passed by and through several Indian Reservations (Tohono O'odham and Ak-Chin) and passed through the Casa Grande area.  This area around Phoenix is known as the "Valley of the Sun" for good reason.

We got to Tempe which was originally a ferry stop across the Salt River, although we saw no signs of water  just dry creek and river beds.   Tempe is now the home of Arizona State University.

The Phoenix metro area has about 4 million people and is spread out in  the valley.  The highway system is described as "L.A. - like."  It is confusing, but R got us through and we headed north to the mountains above Phoenix.  This was higher ground (Sedona is at 4,500 feet).

Just before we got to the Sedona cutoff, we turned off for Montezuma Castle National Monument and discovered why there were so many people on the road and at the reststop.  This is President's Day weekend and the National Parks and Monuments were celebrating by making all three days "fee-free" at the parks.  We enjoyed the pueblo-like ruins of an ancient Indian village despite the crowds and the 15% President's Day discount in the gift store.

As we took the road to sedona we began to see those beautiful red-rock cliffs.  We stopped at the Ranger Station for recommendations and found some prickly pear syrup that I had been looking for.  The ranger recommended that we go to Chapel of the Holy Cross just before the Sedona interchange.

We stopped at Oak Creek for lunch and happened onto a local market and fair featuring belly dancers -- a surprise.

Then we headed out past scenic Bell Rock and others and turned off on Chapel Road and headed up a hill.  As we got half-way up we encountered a traffic jam (evidently the ranger had been telling everyone to go here.)  As the car forward car by car into the limited parking lot, I got out and took the ramp that went up several stories to the chapel which was perched on the hill.  T and R soon joined me for a magnificent view of Cathedral Rock in one direction, Bell Rock in another, and the red cliffs behind us.   The chapel was simple, but elegant.  We had a wonderful view in all directions.

Next we headed for "Uptown" Sedona -- the main tourist area.  We enjoyed browsing through all the shops and the view of the red cliffs behind the town.  Sedona is really a charming area.  Then off to the motel in West Sedona and a trip to Safeway for some lotion for T's sunburn.  Then early to bed for good night's sleep.

On to the Grand Canyon tomorrow.