Day 6

This morning we headed west out of Tuscon, AZ on Interstate 10.  We watched the landscape change from irrigated farmland to desert to mountains, all within a  few miles.  Our first stop was at the Arizona State Capitol in Phoenix.  We arrived in the middle of a ceremony dedicating a memorial to veterans.  Governor Jan Brewer made a short speech and most of our group got to see her.  I wasn't one of them.  After leaving the capitol we got on Interstate 17 and headed  north to Montezuma Castle.  This is a cliff dwelling that was occupied by Southern Sinagua farmers for several hundred years. The dwelling was abandoned in the early 1400s and no one knows why.  From there we headed north for Sedona, AZ.  The view as we neared Sedona was unbelievable, as was the view surrounding the town.  Sedona is pretty much a tourist town that began as the setting for western movies.  Later it became a haven for artists.  Senator John McCain lives in Sedona.  We will stay here for the night.

These beautiful motorcycles  belong to members of Rolling Thunder, an all veterans group attending the ceremony in Phoenix.

The Arizona State Capitol in Phoenix.

Montezuma Castle cliff dwelling.  This structure was built about 100 feet up the cliff above Beaver Creek and contained 20 rooms.

Another dwelling at Montezuma Castle.

Red Bell Rock, located just outside of Sedona.  If you look really close you might see a climber on the rock.

Janet in front of another rock formation outside of Sedona.

This is the view from Oaxaca Mexican Restaurant in Sedona where several members of our group had dinner.  The food was as good as the view!

Downtown Sedona

Sunset from the balcony at our hotel.  Look close and see if you can spot the crescent moon above the horizon.