VERDE CANYON RAILROAD

We were going to take a hike in Sedona on Wednesday when we stopped here to get some information. Of course it was one of those places that offered a "freebie" if you just take a 90 minute tour of their resort. We got  first class tickets on the Verde Canyon railroad for Saturday.
 Our 90 minute minute tour took 4 hours and we left with a sample membership for 2 years. We plan to use it to go to Hawaii for a couple of weeks.It is with Diamond resorts and you may have seen the CEO on Undercover Boss. 

On Saturday we had lunch at Bobby D's BBQ in Jerome.This town clings to the sides of Cleopatra Hill. It is about four miles of switchbacks up the hill from Clarkdale.

In the late 1800's this area was famous for its cooper mines. The train was used to take the cooper out and to bring in supplies. The train station is in Clarkdale.

Our first-class car was the Wickenburg, there were two others and they were all full.

We had spacious living room style seating and complementary appetizers.

I spent most of the trip in the open air car taking pictures and enjoying all of the scenery.

Our first view of the Verde River.

Going across a trestle bridge.

Going through the 680 foot tunnel. It sure was dark in there.

We went 20 miles to the ghost town of Perkinsville. We were traveling at 12 miles an hour.

The engine unhooked and relocated at the other end of the train to take us back.

F p7 locomotive, two of only 10 remaining in North America.

There is an eagle nest a little below half way down on the rock. The highlight was seeing an eagle flying along the river on our way back.

It was a very enjoyable 4 1/2 hour train ride through this beautiful canyon.

RED ROCK COUNTRY

The hairdresser I went to on Thursday told me  I should be sure to go see Oak Creek Canyon. So on Friday, using my Reader's Digest Most Scenic Drives in America book as our guide, we drove up Hwy 17 to Flagstaff. We were at 8000 ft and there was snow on the ground, but there should have been a lot more.

At Flagstaff we traveled back on Rte 89A. Our first stop was the Oak Creek Vista Point. There was a row of Navajo Indians selling jewelery, so I bought a bracelet.

It is 1000 feet to the bottom of this canyon.

Notice the switchback road going around the cliff behind us. It was fun driving down those hairpin turns!

We stopped at Pine Flat Campground to look up at the cliffs, and found this water supply from a mountain spring.

Many people stopped and filled up their water bottles.

At Slide Rock State Park we paid the $10 entrance fee and took a short hike.

You can slide down this 80 foot chute of slippery rocks. Fun in the summer but a little too cold today.

Larry climb down the cliff, but I decided to go back on the path.

Red rock of Sedona, this picture just doesn't show how beautiful.

Our book told us to stop at Schnebly Hill Vista for a spectacular view. The road is 6 miles of switchbacks, but only one mile is paved. We parked where the paved road ends and  took a hike. We will have to take the Pink Jeep tours sometime and go to the vista.

We took the Munds Wagon Trail, agreeing to hike 30 minutes in and 30 minutes out, since it was getting late in the day.

The path was marked with these stacks of rocks.

What a beautiful place to hike.

Larry taking a rest.

We had also gone to Sedona on Wednesday and stopped at the Chapel of the Holy Cross.

You can see the inside of the church, very simple and peaceful.

When we left Sedona that evening a full moon was just coming up. Red rock country sure is beautiful!

IN ARIZONA

 After having our air bag replaced at the freightliner service center in El Paso, we made it to Arizona on January 9th.

 The scenery through New Mexico and Arizona is like none back east.

 Even the overpasses are beautifully decorated.

 I know I'm in Arizona as soon as I start seeing the saguaro cactus.

 Looking down at the town of Camp Verde from route 17. It is a steep curvy drop to our exit.

 We will camp here at Verde Valley TT until the 23rd.

 We pulled into our site so we could look over the valley.

 The view from our front window. What a beautiful sight seeing the full moon rise over it the past few nights.

 We didn't realize there was actually a river in the valley, until we took a hike one day. Larry is crossing a little stream that branches off from the river. He didn't get his feet wet!

We are enjoying our days here at TT. We have hit the pickleball around, but haven't found any other players. We have danced on Saturday night when there is a country band at the activity center. And of course we have done some hiking and biking.