9.05 Soldiers Pass-Brins Mesa-Cibola Loop

We mention from time to time that we are staying in Sedona. Actually, we are on the border in the village of Oak Creek. It is a charming area, situate close to Bell and Cathedral Rocks, two icons that we mention and climb frequently. Our development surrounds a golf course providing a nice contrast of green grass against red rocks. We guess that many units are holiday homes because it appears that very few people are around or perhaps, it is a refuge for hermits. Who knows? The quiet is ideal.

Soldiers looking down on Jenni with a question: 'Did you cause the sinkhole?'

We met Tim and Jonna, another couple from North Carolina, on trail. They decided to travel the world with an emphasis on water activities. It’s quite incredible how relationships form in the wild, although not enduring. It makes for interesting occasions, often entertaining, always a learning experience and useful swopping of information.

Blooming desert, a nice change

We set out for a hike today amongst these gorgeous red rocks and mountains. We received an additional reward when we came across an unusual plateau providing a view of an interestingly shaped mountain (picture below). After gazing at it for a few minutes, we knew what we would do, although it was without a trail to the summit. The climb was an incredible experience through the scrub—Sedona provides many of these off trail opportunities—we think legal, too.

We sat and stared at the mountain for a few minutes—then charged up (see picture below which is the front of this side-view)

Jenni using her new powerful telephoto lens (comes with a red pen). Red doubles as blood—the blood the dummy at the arrow is sweating. Any questions, Jenni has solutions.

When we sat at the top of Bear Mountain the other day, we focused our thoughts on travel, something we do much of these days. We wondered why American presidents travel in jumbo jets with an entourage. Is it necessary to travel as a circus? Most of the presidents, we recall, have had but one wife. Who needs so much room? Now take Jacob Zuma, president of South Africa. (Many wish some other country would take him). We could make a case for allocating him a jumbo with all his wives and girlfriends. (Bear in mind, living in Africa, he probably has an elephant already).

Overpowering rocks

We mentioned before how much we enjoy the great Mormon State of Utah and its citizens. We also wrote that we cannot understand a man having 8 or 10 wives—many girlfriends yes, not wives. Should America elect a Mormon, then the need for the jumbo would make sense. However, Mr. Romney is a Mormon with only one wife. It looks like Zuma of South Africa with many wives and girlfriends, who is not a Mormon, is clearly deserving of ‘Air-Force 1’.

Sedona rocks (the verb)

Little boy blue looks like he's lost something

The weather cooled as we hiked over seven miles, changing elevation constantly, gazing at the magnificent surroundings. The atmosphere in this town is rather unique. By that, of course we mean the natural beauty, its variation and easy access. It is not often we get the feeling that we might be carrying our dear editor from this town when it’s time to leave.

Cheers,

Jenni and Jeffrey

Sphinx from (mostly) front