Five Days Around Sedona

From April 17th to 22nd, I left our camp in the Prescott National Forest to check out the sights, and to visit with friends and family.  My first stop was to join the camp of some friends in the Coconino National Forest between Sedona and Cottonwood, off of Highway 89A.

This view was spectacular on my first night,
looking east from my new camp in the Coconino National Forest.    4/17/15  

Cattle free range in the part of the Coconino NF where I was camped.
A couple of mornings, they ate their way in front of my car.
Here are two mamas and their babies.  4/19/15  

I enjoyed spending time with friends, visiting, laughing, and getting my hair trimmed.  On the 22nd I left that camp to do laundry and take a couple of scenic drives around Sedona.  My first drive was to continue north from Sedona on Highway 89A which goes into Oak Creek Canyon.  I didn't get too many photos on this drive as the road was narrow, windy with few places to pull off.

The first part of the drive north on 89A from Sedona featured
amazing red rocks.  4/22/15

Between Sedona and Flagstaff, Highway 89A switchbacks out of
Oak Creek Canyon to an amazing vista.  4/22/15  

Driving south on 89A within the historic part of Sedona, the shops look
out on a view used in several motion pictures.
Placards about various movies are attached to the railing.  4/22/15  

Next I took the Red Rock Scenic Byway (State Route 179) where the rock formations were nothing short of amazing.   I don't know all of their names, but I'll include those I do.  

Driving south from Sedona on 179.  4/22/15 

Courthouse Butte with northbound 179 below.  4/22/15 

Bell Rock, driving south on 179.  4/22/15 

The Prius is dwarfed.  4/22/15  

Driving south on 179.  4/22/15  

Bell Rock in middle.  Courthouse Butte on right.  4/22/15  

Courthouse Butte.  4/22/15  

 Bell Rock.  4/22/15 

Another view of Courthouse Butte.  4/22/15  

Another view of Bell Rock.  4/22/15  

Chapel of the Holy Cross built into a butte in Sedona.  4/22/15   

For my last night before heading back to Prescott NF, I stayed on some BLM land in Cottonwood. At sunrise, I recognized the rush of sound of a hot air balloon.  

1 of 4:  My campsite in Cottonwood.  Find the hot air balloon peaking over the ridge.  4/23/15  

2 of 4:  Hot air balloon as it makes its way towards camp.  4/23/15  

3 of 4:  Hot air balloon gains altitude as it drifts past.  4/23/15  

4 of 4:  Good bye hot air balloon.  4/23/15  

Later that day I got to visit with one of my brothers and his wife, Ray and Kay.  A couple of years ago they sold everything except what they could get on their Harley.  Now, they travel around, camping and renting rooms in the areas they want to explore and enjoy.

Brother Ray and Sister-In-Law Kay, enjoying the scenic overlook
above Jerome on 89A.  4/23/15  

Irises picked for me by Kay, adorning my car.  4/26/15