Today we traveled from Zion to Sedona. What surprising terrain and weather we covered in just a couple of hundred miles.
Gluttons for punishment, we set out once again through massive road construction on Zion's historic tunnel under a perfect blue sky. This was what we had to feast on as we waited to pass through the construction. Then, again, we were on to Kanab (a fine-looking town) and Fredonia, AZ (home of the Ship Rock motel from yesterday's blog, the best looking spot in Fredonia by the way). Then it was on to new ground.
Here's what's so bizarre about Arizona. One minute you're driving through flat land of sagebrush and scrub pine. You're lucky if you see a cow or two to remind you that there might just be living things on this land.
Then suddenly there are these incredible mesas, the Vermillion Cliffs. They erupt out of nowhere, magnificent, soaring red stone that goes for miles and miles.
Next it's a forest. Who knew there were pine forests in ARIZONA??? Well, maybe you did. I didn't. But now I do.
Again, you drive through the forest and -- bang -- it's vast, empty desert ringed by the Vermillion Cliffs. Astonishing.
We stopped at a lookout which was complete with the usual Native American tchotchke vendors. Of course we did our part to support the local economy, finding some trinkets we couldn't resist. From there we headed to lunch in the valley. Actually, we were in the middle of nowhere but found delicious chicken quesadillas, homemade chili, and a surprisingly fresh salad. Unfortunately there were more flies than customers so we ate and fled.
The clouds started to gather.
This led to our next surprise: as we neared Flagstaff, menacing clouds took over the sky. Next thing we knew we were pummeled with rain. Rain in Arizona? What the what!!!
We had to detour through Flagstaff, which had the unexpected benefit of giving us a chance to travel on historic Route 66 a bit longer than expected.
Outside of Flagstaff we got on 89A, the scenic drive to Sedona. I expected to see tons of red rocks. Instead, once again we drove through forest, this time with an almost mystical fog left from the rain.
Finally, as we neared and passed through Sedona, the landscape became what I expected. As you can see, the threat of more rain was imminent and we were glad to find our hotel (not in Sedona as expected but in Oak Creek).
Dinner was at Cucina Rustica where we enjoyed wonderful veal piccata and a terrific cioppino.
Sorry for the delay in writing this. Seems the internet went down last night and we just got back online.
Had I been paying attention that you might go through Flag, could have sent a note with more than one excellent food suggestion. Too bad it was foggy going down 89A into Oak Creek - the escarpment on the way down is really something. A few places in Sedona/Oak Creek have tables out on the creek - this time of year, much cooler than down here in the Valley of the Sun. Although it rained 2 inches last night.
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