AIROSMITH

We have enjoyed three days here in the Sedona area.  It has been a busy week here just before Thanksgiving.  Over the weekend we drove up the Red Rock Scenic Byway, which runs between Oak Creek and Sedona, through the massive red rock formations that the place is famous for.  Each trail head we tried was parked to the limit.  The only viable option was to park in Sedona and take the hiker shuttles.  We chose to get an early dinner instead.  There is always something nice to see in Sedona.    From the left; Castle Rock (Red Butte), Bell Rock(Red Rock Sticking Up), Courthouse Butte Eagle’s Mountian), (Red Cliffs), Lee Mountian (Sheep Mountian).   The name in (parenthesis) is the Apache name.   We tired for the trailheads again on Monday, but alas, the same problem.  It was wine tasting for us.  It might take some serious strategic planning to take a hike in this town. We did have Sunday to visit the Montezuma Castle National Monument . While Montezuma had nothing to do with the place, th

    Canyon de Chelly , just outside of Chinle Arizona is a national  monument that is managed jointly by the Navajo Nation and the National Park Service.  AIROSMITH settled in to the, dry camping only, Cottonwood Campground located at the mouth of the canyon.  We planned for a two day visit. The park maintains canyon overlooks on both the north and south rims.  These can me accessed by paved roads.  The trails to the lookouts are well maintained.  The drive on each rim are just over a 30 mile round trip, and both could be done in one ambitious day. If you plan to go into the canyon it self, you must be accompanied by a licensed Navajo guide.  We arranged for a half day trip with Beauty Way Jeep Tours.  We began our visit to this breathtaking canyon with Viola who was driving “Snoopy” a black and white Jeep wrangler.   We were fortunate in that Viola grew up in the canyon where she played during the summers, and helped her grandmother herd sheep.  She told us that families still farm an