Wednesday, July 14, 2021

Sedona and Summer Road Trip

Early morning view of Fountain Hills, AZ from the Lake Overlook trail


It's been a long hot summer so far but we are now on the road heading east for a couple months of humidity. We finished up our eye and dental appointments a few weeks ago but decided to wait until after the 4th of July holiday to head out. Of course, two nights before we left I began seeing flashing lights and floaters in my right eye. I saw my ophthalmologist the next morning and fortunately did not have a retinal tear or detachment, just a posterior vitreous detachment for which there is no treatment. The new floaters are driving me crazy but they will settle down with time. Yes, it is always something.

Speaking of July 4th, Fountain Hills had a very impressive fireworks display just down the street over the lake. My phone doesn't do well with night shots but you can see they also made the fountain alternate between red, white and blue.







Last month we did another week-long catsit in Sedona. It was hot but not as hot as Fountain Hills, and the mornings and evenings were pleasant so it was a nice break. This was the same house and cats we sat for last year when Meat Loaf disappeared, so we were at least expecting it this time. And disappear he did. I let him out after dinner the day we arrived and we never saw him the entire week we were there. At least Spyder Girl behaved herself, went out after breakfast, hung out on the deck or driveway, and came in when the sun really started heating things up. Meat Loaf finally came home the day after we left. Apparently, some neighbors in the next subdivision have taken a liking to him so he spends most of his time over there.

Meat Loaf relaxing on the day we arrived.

Spyder Girl wishing I would get the camera out of her face.

It was nice to get away to red rock country again, where we did a few hikes and neighborhood walks and enjoyed sitting out on the deck. We took some photos, although not many since we have lots of the same from previous visits.

Fiery sunset from the deck


We stayed close to the Village of Oak Creek to avoid the Sedona crowds and hiked around Courthouse and Bell Rocks, and did the Baldwin and Templeton trails. There are always great views no matter where you hike in the Sedona area.



















Another day of driving is in store for today but I will try to get back to regular blogging about this trip when we land somewhere for more than one night. I can tell you that in the next post the photos will have a lot more green in them!

6 comments:

  1. I don't know that my camera would do better than your phone with the fireworks. I thought those were really good pictures. You must have an iphone. Sorry to hear about your floaters. Eye problems are scary. Love the red rock pictures. Sedona is a place I have had on my bucket list for years but I wonder now if there is any time one can go when it isn't over crowded. Safe travels.

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    1. Nope, no iPhone for me. You should definitely try to get to Sedona one day. We found weekdays to not be too bad as far as crowds go, and if you get out and hike early there are not that many people on the trails. Same as it is in most popular locations these days.

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  2. What a spectacular fireworks show with the fountain coloring, too. Sedona never disappoints. You're right that there isn't a bad view. Love seeing the water. Boy, I would be so worried about letting my cat out in the desert. Glad Meatloaf came home. We had a cat years ago when we lived in northern PA that adopted the woman next door. She was offering him fresh salmon and cream. And she let him in the house. At the time John wouldn't let the cat come in. I'd move, too! Slowly over time, Tom became her cat. The kids and I would visit him and he was always sleeping inside on the safe. Oh, the good life. When we moved a year later. Tom stayed with his new mother. Safe travels!

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    1. We could never let a cat out in the desert, or anywhere unsupervised for that matter. Funny about your cat Tom. Sounds like he found himself a better home! Your neighbor must have really liked having him around.

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  3. Great fireworks pics - I can't get them even with my good camera :-( Hard to beat Sedona for outstanding natural beauty. Hope you're enjoying your travels and surviving the humidity!

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    1. It's been humid but not too hot so we're tolerating it. We are seeing more green and more rain than we've seen in years!

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