(Palm Springs)

Our first stop was Palm Springs for five nights at our favorite find, The Royal Sun. We enjoyed a spacious room, a balcony overlooking the San Jacinto Mountains, pool/jacuzzi, breakfast in morning (including waffle maker), partial kitchen and a large leather recliner chair – all for $34.00 a night – bargains still exist. (We’ve stayed here also in December for the same price through Expedia). Now granted the temperatures in June were well into the high 90’s low 100’s so we went on early hikes in the foothills or bike rides around the large estates - (we’d fill up our camelbacks with lots of ice for cool water and that made it bearable). And we spent several hours inside daily – travel planning! Another favorite of ours is the Cedar Creek Inn (serving early bird dinners all evening) with musical entertainment – a saxophonist/flautist/singer. A most commendable vegetarian restaurant is Native Foods for those of you into healthy fare. With all of our bargain finds – I guess we’re practicing for the AARP days. (or rather the budget for traveling for a year does not bring one to the Ritz Carlton)!

Montezuma's Castle in Arizona

Relaxing on Stone Patio Furniture in Sedona, AZ

Cool Statues in Sedona

Suzan in Sedona

Beautiful "Bell Rock" in Sedona, an Energy Vortex

Close up of "Bell Rock"

Over Looking the Sedona Valley

Just "Bell Rock" Again

Rock Fins

A Few Rocks That Make Up "Cathedral Rock"

Another Energy Vortex

We stayed at a roadside inn for two nights in Sedona (as there are no camping areas within Sedona) – these roadside inns are no longer cheap propositions – we’re talking over $100.00 per night – at least in Sedona. Well worth it though – our time in Sedona akin to a purification experience. We went to a couple of areas that are ‘vortex sites.’ Powerful, healing energy is said to vibrate from the rock faces and we will vouch for it. The area felt magical and mystical with resplendent energy to bathe our spirits in. As we walked around the Bell Trail (gigantic red rock formation and ‘vortex site.’) – I felt a drop down feeling as if I had landed fully into my body.  With scenery of green forests, a high desert landscape, massive red rock formations in tones of red, tan, white, black, pink and orange  jutting out in all directions spewing their forceful, positive energy – how could one not feel a sense of peace and calm? We also rode mountain bikes along the Bell Trail – fun to traverse the granite rocks until Jim suggested we go on a side trail leading to Chapel Rock. We did lots of bike walking on this narrow trail with windy ups and downs, natural uneven stair steps brushing against sharp needled cacti – did get great arm workouts. Chapel Rock is reverent though (it is an actual Catholic Church built into the rocks – though no service is offered here – it is available for prayer and meditation for anyone wishing to be lifted up). On our final day we hiked Cathedral Rock (another ‘vortex site.’). The hike led us along a stream with many people splashing in it. We then found an area where we could have ‘closer contact’ with the rock.

We climbed as high as we could get along the rock face and leaned into it for awhile both of us meditating. We could feel the pulse of the rock, like the heart of the Universe. I felt one – united with the Earth and all of matter. The rock had aptly been named for I felt these same feelings in many Cathedrals in Europe (and other parts of the globe in Temples, etc.). I felt God’s presence magnified – as if all of negativity was sifted through, sorted out, left behind and all that was left – a pure powerful energy. “We’ll be back!”

A Different Perspective of "Cathedral Rock"

Red Rock Cliffs

With a Native American Rug at the Grand Canyon

Along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon During

Our 25 Mile Bike Ride

One of our major highlights of the entire Southwest trip – our 25 mile bike ride along the rim of the Grand Canyon. We shared the road only with the shuttle busses – cars are not allowed – bikes are. (We were the lone bikers). We went from look out point to look out point covering them all – a full day of inhaling beauty. Surrounded by rocks that were hundreds of million years old to 2 billion – they sure had plenty of time to “age well.” Nature definitely teaches one about patience – as Nature takes its time to get it right. A good lesson for all. Such splendor here with a rainbow of colors, shapes and formations – it is about 11-18 miles across at various points yet it takes one 250 miles to drive from the south to the north rim. And along the edges it is a 4500 foot drop (and yes, Jim still hung out on those ledges). The expansive beauty of the Grand Canyon will linger with us for our lifetime.

The Grand Canyon

On Our Hike Down the Bright Angel Trail

We hiked ‘a bit’ of the Bright Angel Trail – 3 miles down which meant 3 miles up – in the heat of the day quite a challenge. This small portion of the trail has a 2100 foot loss/gain. By the end of the day we had hiked 12 miles (yet around the Rim and so forth – not straight up)! We were proud of our accomplishment and decision to not push ourselves into doing the entire trail. About 25 people a day suffer from heat exhaustion and/or dehydration in the Canyon in the summer. And many have lost their lives. We read a story from summer 2004 about a young girl 25 – a very fit Boston Marathoner – who, along with a friend, had not prepared well for their hike (not enough water, no trail map, barely any food). They miscalculated the distance of their hike (by about 15 miles), ran out of water and then chose to split up. They later found her body – she died of dehydration. This tragic account really had us think about how important it is to be prepared – in the end it doesn’t really matter how great a shape someone is in (although being fit is certainly a plus). It had us prepare more carefully for all our future hikes – we thought we’d pass this along.

Colorado River Rapids at Bottom of Grand Canyon

California Condor Fanning Its Wings

California Condor in Flight. Wing Span Can Be 9'!

The Bright Angel Trail in the Background, Which We

Hiked Part Way Down, 2000' Elevation Change in 3 Miles

Last Picture of the Grand Canyon

Glen Canyon Dam at Lake Powell