Cross Country – 6

Leaving the Phoenix area it was on to Sedona, Arizona, which we had visited many, many years ago. It was not a long drive, but, it was a very windy road and worth every curve! The area is known as Red Rock Country, and, with each mile, the rocks became redder with the scenery more spectacular.

Our initial impression of Sedona was that it had lost some of its charm as the town had really expanded. However, after checking in at the Hyatt Pinon Pointe and having lunch at The Vault overlooking the scenery, we quickly changed our minds. We found a charming shopping center, Tiaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village, hidden behind a fountain and walls.

Tiaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village in the heart of Sedona, but well hidden! And, of course, we did make a purchase.

Just before our shopping excursion we drove to the Chapel of the Holy Cross high atop the red rocks. It was inspired and commissioned by a rancher and sculptor Marguerite Brunswig Staude. The church is built on Coconina National Forest Land.

From Sedona it was on to Bryce National Park, and, the only word to describe the park is SPECTACULAR! As with many of the national parks, the drive there was arduous. But, again, it was worth every mile except for the mile where a rock thrown by a truck cracked our windshield! Unfortunately the crack is serious enough that the windshield cannot be fixed; it has to be replaced. And, of course, it has to be ordered, so, we will be driving with a cracked windshield until we get to Tacoma. Now I will end this post with an array of photos taken at Bryce National Park. I literally just could not stop taking photos as the canyon is so spectacular. Following are just a few of the photos I took.

And, although we had left Bryce National Park, there was one more photo op that just could not be passed by. So, Steve dutifully stopped so that I could take a few more photos!