Saturday, November 18, 2017 (Boondocking Site, Sedona, AZ)

We woke to clear blue sky...a nice change after our cloudy, gloomy day yesterday. We were sitting with our morning coffee and checking out hiking trails in the area when Deb texted asking if we'd like to join them for another trip into the Sedona area...for more pictures. There are lots of hiking trails to check out in the area but it's Saturday and parking is likely to be very busy...and an added issue for us with our truck. So we gladly accepted their invitation!

Our first stop this morning was at Bell Rock Pathway/Vista...as predicted the parking lot was jammed packed...lots of hikers/bike riders heading out. Deb lucked out, though, slipping right into a spot vacated by a truck. We took a short walk on the trail to get pictures. This is Bell Rock...
And on the right beside it, Courthouse Butte...


Then we took a drive to the end of Verde Valley School Road where it dead-ends at Oak Creek. The guys were hoping to get a shot of Cathedral Mountain with the sun shining on it...unfortunately, the sun hadn't moved around enough. Still a great shot...
 Another shot of Cathedral Mountain on our way back to the highway (179)...
We then took a drive along Jacks Canyon Road, checking out various roads through that area for any viewpoints that would provide some great picture ops...
Panoramic shot...
 Back to the highway, I checked TripAdvisor for the best pub in the area...and came up with PJ's Village Pub, just a short distance away. We found it located in a small strip-mall...very "non-descript" from the outside. I must admit it wasn't what I was expecting but it ended being a funky little neighbourhood pub serving, for the most part I suspect, locals in the Village of Oak Creek.

It did not disappoint...a great selection of craft beers on tap (as you can see, Ray and Deb ordered a flight, choosing a variety of six)
Lunch was excellent...Deb, Ray and Steve all had burgers that they said were delicious...and I had a Cobb Salad. It, too, was excellent! Not surprised it was ranked #1 in the area!
With our tummies full, we continued our tour of the area...
 Spectacular!
This old coach was sitting in a front yard...
 Our next (and final destination) was Crescent Moon Day Use area at Red Rock Crossing...
One of the most photographed scenes in the southwest is towering Cathedral Rock reflected in the waters of Oak Creek at Red Rock Crossing. It should come as no surprise, then, that the picnic area located at that same site is as popular as it is beautiful. People come here to fish, swim, and wade in the creek, as well as to picnic and photograph the scenery.
The very first picture in the blog Steve took of Cathedral Rock was taken from the opposite shore which is a fair distance by road. Many people just walk across the creek.
Like this guy...
Great pool reflections...


We walked the 1.1 mile trail that follows the creek...it starts as a cement pathway and then goes down to the creek as a dirt trail...
Bamboo...


Steve and Ray crossed here but us girls stayed on the trail...

Ray took a photo for a young couple so they took one with Steve's camera...

Steve tried a different setting on his camera to blur the water...



Time to head back...I thought Steve was goofing off but he assured me he wasn't doing anything!
(Rays picture)
Someones been busy stacking rocks...
Euro-American settlers infiltrated into the Verde Valley to homestead parcels of land in the 19th century. Since the original homestead, Crescent Moon Ranch has changed hands at least nine times, and changed names at least three. It is unclear when the name “Crescent Moon Ranch” came about.

Ray picture...

In 1980, The Forest Service purchased the 160-acre Crescent Moon Ranch with National Land and Water Conservation Grant dollars. Intent of the Forest Service was to protect the land from future development and to secure it for the public’s enjoyment.

The old barn is the only building remaining from the original homestead. Today the ranch house and other historic buildings are registered as National Historic Sites.

That is one big tree Ray is sticking his hand in...
A quick stop on the way home for the guys to get a couple of more pictures...


Once home it was, as Deb says..."Toes Up"! Time to relax in the sunshine for the rest of the afternoon. That was another great day of sightseeing!





4 comments:

  1. Lovely spot! We've been to Sedona many times but not with the 5er. We sure want to do that so we can get to some of these wonderful spots that we've missed. Love Toes Up time!

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  2. Another fabulous day with our "besties". :)

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