9.18 Sunset at the Cathedral—our route was murder, TS Eliot

From a tower in the cathedral.

Sunset at Cathedral peak, with shadows, too

This trip, we have managed to find new opportunities for hiking and exploration. However, we also found that approaching a previous hike in a novel way is extremely satisfying. The mountains and rock formations are so distinctive and vast that one could, for example, spend months around Cathedral Rock and still not see it all. Such is Sedona.

An assault from the side—guess who gets assaulted

Jenni ascending with Court House Butte 'smiling'

Jenni descending down a new route

Today, we decided to approach the hike from the side rather than the usual frontal attack—let’s surprise the old cathedral, we thought, instead of following the climbing trail. (We are also preserving energy for a tough pre-Shabbos hike.) We scrambled up the rocks, on loose stones and sand, around cactus plants, mostly, and through some very tricky places. We had no intention of making it a tough climb but one thing led to another and before we knew it, it turned out to be one of our best scrambles to a peak we never knew existed.

In the beginning—a vast area typical of Sedona (click to get perspective)

Some nice moves on a new scramble——perhaps his better side

Approaching base of the interesting part of climb/scramble

It was exhilarating, liberating and provided some surprises at the top, which we shall mention another time—in fact, it was a real eye opener. Nevertheless, we arrived in a new chamber at the cathedral, which was staggering but shielded from the sun. In order not to miss the sunset, we scrambled back down, a quarter-way around and up across some really rough ‘turf’. Our editor never ceases to amaze as she ‘handles’ obstacles with aplomb.

Some dicey moments, she worries me

Wallflower catches late afternoon sunrays, while waiting for sunset

We felt like two children as we scrambled on and over the rocks. We are not bashful to admit that it was exhilarating. It reminded us of the days when, as kids, we would play in the neighborhood until Katy called. In those days, as an eight or nine year old, we had to be ready for supper and Dad's arrival from the office. That was fine. However, when Katy would announce to the whole neighborhood "Bath time, Butch"--one could imagine the embarrassment. Fortunately, our therapy sessions are finally complete and we feel we are ready to face our old neighbors...almost.

Another beautiful sunset from the spires

Cheers,

Jenni and Jeffrey