Day 2: January 17, Cottonwood to Sedona, AZ

We slept late today!  Denise didn't wake up until 6:40 which was great because we had a 10 minute drive to Tazigoot (yeah, we hadn't heard of it until yesterday either) which didn't open until 8.  Catherine was thrilled.  The Sinaguan people lived on a hilltop overlooking the Verde River in a huge brick and mortar structure that was basically a huge building subdivided into rooms (private residences) and now the ruins are in the Tazigoot National Monument.

These pictures are supposed to be side by side, but they aren't working.  Anyway, Sinaguan people lived on this hill for several hundred years, using the Verde River and mining copper (which they traded for parrots from Mexico among other things).  In about 1400, they disappeared without a trace.  According to the signs, they buried dead adults down on the plain, but children were buried in the mortar so their spirits could remain with the people.  Catherine wants to know how historians would know this, but not what happened to them.  Also, notice there were no doors.  Apparently you just walked rooftop to rooftop and then dropped down the ladder in your room.

On the way out of Tazigoot, Denise spotted a mule deer (with antlers).  We also saw a few silhouette ducks on the river and geese flew overhead.  We also saw a very fluffy wren of indeterminate species.  After talking with the rangers (there was a 1:1 tourist to ranger ratio in the park) we headed to our first hike of the day: Boynton Canyon.

As it was already 40 something heading to 70 something, Catherine planned to hike in Tevas.  She must have been really good for the last few days, because someone was talking about the ice mud on the trail a bit further up.  She couldn't find shoes, so hiking boots it was.  The trail runs up canyon, through gorgeous red rock cliffs (yes, Sedona really is as beautiful as they say).

As seen above, the hike started out hot and dry.  The photos really washout and don't capture just how RED the red rocks are (iron oxide and the black stripes are either just wet or manganese oxide).  We say an Anna's hummingbird at the beginning.  There was a little snow and ice on the ground, and it was easy to hike through, but I was glad to have shoes on.  A bit later, the scrub started turning into real trees and Denise stood under a Arizona cypress (we think). Notice the snow at her feet.

After about 2 miles, the trail took a 90 degree turn and went into the shade.  And our dry, hot hike turned into:

 

Yeah.  Snow.  Feet of it.  In Arizona.  I know it's January, but it's 70 degrees out.  If you look carefully, you can tell the second picture is the creek with tons of icicles.  There were also icicles hanging onto the cliffs.  As it got warmer, they'd give way without warning and 50 (or more) pounds of ice crashed and echoed.  We did note that we weren't going under any of them (quit worrying John).  Oh, and I love my new Christmas coat!

The end of the hike wasn't spectacular, but we did get to see unfortunate prickly pear cacti.

After a parking lot lunch, we headed to hike number 2 of the day (because according to Denise 4 miles in the heat and 2 in the snow isn't nearly enough for one day).  The travel guide says Cathedral Rock is the second most photographed landmark in Arizona.  That may be true, but it's only because the travel guides all say go there (the private company that administers this National Park or Monument must be paying them well).  We weren't impressed, but the 1 mile round trip hike was stroller accessible.  But to prove we were there.

We stopped at a random pullout.  Denise took pictures.  Catherine read directions.

Then we headed up to the Sky Ranch Lodge (our home for the night).  We walked around before sunset and found a Canyon Towhee (we've seen them before) and a Juniper Titmouse, distinguishable from a Oak Titmouse because they live in Junipers (just kidding, they live in AZ and Oaks in CA).  We headed out to the overlook beside the lodge for a "great sunset".  I'm not sure the sunset was that great, but the rich tourists made the night.  The sunset photo shows the cliffs above Sedona -- if you look closely, you can see the town in the valley.

As Catherine was talking with John on the cell phone (well, mostly ignoring John, but watching tourists), Denise came running back because Catherine had to see the Gambel's Quail.  The things were coming out of every bush running toward the hotel at top speed, topknots bobbing up and down (and Denise was bobbing up and down screeching about how cute they are.  Ask for an impression.).  It turns out the Lodge feeds them.  Great find, Denise!  We also saw a few Dessert Cottontails playing as the moon came up.

Bedtime now, hopefully Javelinas in the morning!  Well, if Denise can walk.  Apparently sliding in the snow makes her legs ache.