Tuesday May 11, 2010

After a two-day sojourn with some dear Port Huron friends, we are back on the road towards the Grand Canyon. Now located in Sun City Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix, Bob and Diane Jechura entertained us, fed us and even played pickleball! On Saturday evening we were treated to a concert performed by the U.S. Coast Guard Band. They are unbelievably talented and the facility where they performed was outstanding. Sun City residents are able to attend these kinds of events at no charge. There was a wonderful band shell and the surrounding hill was grass covered and terraced so that everyone had a great view. We had folding chairs and enjoyed a ninety-minute show. What a hoot it would be as a young person to be in the Coast Guard and be an entertainer. They even had an incredible soloist who had a well-trained set of pipes.

Bob and Diane’s home is landscaped with what I initially referenced as gravel. They quickly corrected me and termed it “decorative stone”. lol They have a huge saguaro cactus and other cactus in a bed in the front yard. Their backyard has a kumquat tree, blood orange trees, navel orange trees, lemon and ruby red grapefruit trees. These are full grown specimens so that there is prolific fruit and nice privacy to boot. Rabbits, jackrabbits, dove and quail make the backyard their home. It is quite a setting. We enjoyed sitting in their massive enclosed patio, enjoying the weather and the view.

We also finished sightseeing in and around Phoenix. We spent some time on Sunday morning (after a wonderful breakfast with our nephew, Anthony) snapping pics of the downtown area. We got some great statues, some images of Arizona State University’s campus, a couple historical buildings and the Science Center. Phoenix is a very attractive city. It’s so clean, well signed and easy to navigate. The only downer is the extreme heat. On Saturday it was 98 as we photographed the Capitol. On Sunday, it was 95. It’s very dry heat, but it is still hot.


Dennis also photographed some solar panels in Phoenix. There must be over 100 of these enormous solar panels. They almost look like satellite dishes, but they are designed to collect solar power and create energy. The pattern they create is eye catching.




On our way to the Grand Canyon, we will be stopping at Montezuma Castle National Monument. The monument is a testimony to ancient Sinagua (means “without water”) Indian cliff dwellings. It has nothing to do with Montezuma and Montezuma was never there, but it has the moniker nonetheless. The monument is located near Camp Verde Arizona. The dwelling is incredible, nestled in the side of rocky cliffs. Up to 200 Sinagua Indians lived in this area and it is estimated that 35 of them lived in the preserved dwelling. The road to this remnant is winding but well worth the drive. The area surrounding the monument is well cared for and many plants that are native to the area and would have been consumed by the natives are identified. One identified specimen was an Arizona Sycamore tree. The bark was unique, almost resembling camouflage material. While at the monument, we connect with an old photography buddy of ours, Bob Ginn. Bob is relocating to California after twenty years in Atlanta. He has been driving back and forth between the two locations for the last couple months, moving things, critters, et al. It is really cool that we can connect and what a perfect setting the Montezuma Castle turns out to be. After leaving us, Bob will head east towards Atlanta and we will be continuing our drive north.

Once we leave the monument, we head northwest on AZ 260 towards Jerome. Jerome is a one time mining town that has wonderful views of Sedona. The way to Jerome is on a twisty road, 89A. Local artisans lovingly restored Jerome. Their motivation was the beauty of the area, as well as the practicality of having reasonably priced land so close to the very pricey Sedona. The town offers breathtaking views of Sedona and capitalizes on the incredible red rock formations and promontories. We walked the town, taking snaps of some of the unique shops.

After leaving Jerome, we head toward Sedona, where we will camp for the night. We captured a few pics on the way into town. We stopped at the visitors’ center where we picked up important information. We’re going to stop there in t he morning to pick up a GPS system that it customized for Sedona. We rented a similar unit when we traveled through the Canadian Rockies. Not only does it help you find locations, it gives detailed information and relates little stories that the typical tourist would only hear on an expensive tour.

Tomorrow we will take in the town USA Today identified as the most beautiful place in the United States. Lexington Michigan must have come in second.