The Apache Trail - awesome!

This afternoon we drove to Apache Junction on the edge of Phoenix and joined the Apache Trail, H88.
What a scenic adventure! Adventure because of the challenging windy roads-quote "This drive is not for nervous drivers, and definitely not for nervous passengers" lol - but you wouldn't miss it! There are incredible view of canyons, geological formations, desert plants and trees, desert and lake views, and the wildflowers are in season!

The Museum at the entrance to The Lost Dutchman State Park and the Superstition
wilderness era.  The Superstition Mountains loom in the background. 

The Superstition Mountains

Incredible views.

At Fish Creek Hill

The beautiful wild flowers! 

Goldfield Ghost Town.
The area was traditionally know for it's mining.

The Apache Trail is definitely worth a stop!

 Great way to end another fantastic day!

Restaurant in the desert near the Apache Trail where we celebrated Pete's Birthday

Cheers!

Yes...ribs!!!!

Don't judge a book by its cover.....or appearances can be deceiving!

As we rolled into Phoenix last night  I thought - it's big, flat, hot and lacks character. What a difference a day makes! This morning we headed to Scottsdale, an area of Phoenix which has a great reputation - and it didn't disappoint! We hopped on the Trolley Car, which takes you to the different areas of Scottsdale, and did the round trip  -  What an impressive place! and heaps of character!
We got off the Trolley in Old Town and did a Sunday morning stroll through Scottsdale
 -  join us................

Boarding the Trolley

The Waterfront area 

Beautiful gardens and sculptures.
Notice the cowboy theme.

The Art Gallery area 

Old Town area.
This shop was the original Post Office.

Great carvings! They were standing watch! 

Cow skulls anyone?

Plenty of boots to choose from - Pete couldn't decide!

An old traditional Saloon Bar

Bold and strong! 

Shops in Old Town

The Adobe Mission

The gardens and sculptures were lovely - peaceful, relaxing and interesting.

"A Sunday A Fair" in the Civic area park - lots of
locals out enjoying the sunshine, music and entertainment.

Water features figured strongly in the landscaping - very calming !

The good old Stagecoach! 

The signature cactus of Arizona!

We ended our stroll with a cold beer at  the Rusty Spur Saloon.
Cheers for Pete's birthday!

Enjoying the cold beer and the music at The Rusty Spur Saloon

Some classy shops in this area - 5th Avenue.

Lots of Western theme restaurants

So, Phoenix was nothing like the first impressions!  Just goes to show you've got to get to know a place!  When in Phoenix, the Scottsdale area is well worth a visit!

We've "rocked" the last few days!! and now have "rocks" in our heads.!

Or it seems like that! We've viewed them, walked on them, touched them, admired them, oohed and aahed over them, and now we have been left with images of them imprinted forever in our minds!

Joshua Tree National Park and Sedona - rocks, rocks everywhere! - but very beautiful rocks! As I said, Mother Nature is an amazing artist!

Interesting - learnt that Sedona has many Vortex sites - believed to be locations having energy flow that exists on multiple dimensions. The energy of the vortexes interacts with a person's inner self. Many people come to Sedona for its healing qualities. (Google Sedona vortex - interesting reading!)  Pete
and I climbed the vortex rock near the Airport Mesa - we are all realigned now - apparently!  - oh and  the 360 degree view was incredible!    

Today we did the Red Rock Loop and took in some more of the amazing rock sculptures. We drove around the suburbs, which are built in and around the rocks, and had a look at their lovely homes - interesting architecture, styles and gardens!

Here is stunning Sedona in pics! - it rocks!!!!  A town not to be missed!

The view as you enter Sedona on H89A

The stunningly beautiful backdrop to Sedona.

The shops, buildings and homes all blend in with the landscape.
Spanish mission stye is popular, and timber and adobe the popular look. 

Red Rock Loop with the stunning red rocks (Cathedral Rock) contrasting with the greens
of the lush vegetation in this area.
The middle rock is a vortex site.

View of Cathedral Rock from Red Rock Loop Road

The homes in Sedona have amazing backyards!
Cathedral Rock.

The Guardians

The Guardians

Guess the name of this rock?

Rocks of all shapes and sizes!

Bell Rock.
A  vortex site.

Homes and their yards

Adobe a popular finish on the homes.
Everything in Sedona compliments the landscape 

Chapel of the Holy Cross

The cactus are in bloom!

View from the Chapel of the Holy Cross across the suburbs
of Sedona.
The home mid pic was built in and around a red rock formation

Courthouse Butte

The flat area mid pic is Airport Mesa, home
of the Sedona Airport - it  is high above the town!

Castle Rock