April 2019
After an early flight into Phoenix, we immediately hit the road and drove up through Sedona to stop at the Chapel of the Holy Cross, which is famous for its unique architecture and being built right in the red rocks. Then it was off to the historic town of Jerome. Talk about feeling as if you're in the old west! We then passed back through Sedona just in time for golden hour. After stopping for some photos of the famous red rocks in the afternoon sun, we enjoyed a dinner of Mexican food at a sidewalk café before heading to our first hotel in Flagstaff.
High above the clouds over Kansas
Farmland looks a lot different as we head farther west
Surprisingly, this snow on the Rocky Mountains wasn't the only snow we saw on this trip
Surprisingly, this snow on the Rocky Mountains wasn't the only snow we saw on this trip
We're obviously getting close. That looks like the desert to me.
Welcome to Arizona!
This pedestrian bridge is a lot fancier than what we have at home
Just spotted our first saguaro cacti!
And there's a whole lot more saguaro cacti
The overpasses in Phoenix are not boring
Driving into Coconino National Forest
We took the Red Rock Scenic Byway
The red rocks all around us are an incredible sight
The red rocks all around us are an incredible sight
We're passing through Sedona on our way
The red rocks all around us are an incredible sight
The red rocks all around us are an incredible sight
The Chapel of the Holy Cross is built right into the mountain. What a unique piece of architecture.
The Chapel of the Holy Cross is built right into the mountain. What a unique piece of architecture.
The red rocks all around us are an incredible sight
Now, there's a house, err mansion, I could l handle living in!
The view from the Chapel of the Holy Cross is pretty spectacular
The Chapel of the Holy Cross is built right into the mountain. What a unique piece of architecture.
Geez, churches take credit cards for the privilege of lighting a candle now? How much does it cost??? I'm clearly in the wrong business.
The view from inside the Chapel of the Holy Cross is really great too.
My mother marvels at the red rocks and how far down that hill we parked!
The view from the Chapel of the Holy Cross is pretty spectacular
This sculpture in downtown Sedona is called The Open Gate
Our next stop is Jerome
The road into Jerome is a narrow one
The road into Jerome is a narrow one
Jerome offers some spectacular views of the area around Sedona
Jerome offers some spectacular views of the area around Sedona
Downtown Jerome isn't exactly a bustling metropolis but it looks like something out of a movie.
The Ghost City Inn is a hotel in downtown Jerome
At the site of the old Bartlett Hotel, people throw coins at toilets in the basement. The proceeds go to the historical society's restoration efforts.
I'm not exactly sure what's going on here, but that skeleton looks like he wants out of the cage.
The Connor Hotel is a piece of living history.
The post office in Jerome hasn't changed much in about 100 years.
The post office in Jerome hasn't changed much in about 100 years.
Downtown Jerome isn't exactly a bustling metropolis but it looks like something out of a movie.
We didn't get a chance to go into the Jerome Mine Museum
The Jerome fire department has an engine that appears to be nearly as old as the town.
These flamingos are dressed in their Easter finest
Back on route 89A toward Flagstaff
Headed back toward the red rocks of Sedona
Passing through Sedona again
Passing through Sedona again
Passing through Sedona again
The red rocks are even more spectacular during golden hour
Driving through Sedona, it's hard not to stare at the red rocks
The red rocks are even more spectacular during golden hour
We stopped at Agave in downtown Sedona for an outdoor dinner of Mexican food
The queso dip was one of the best that I've had anywhere
Enjoying a margarita with our queso dip
You can never go wrong with enchiladas
I didn't mean for this shot of the moon behind some clouds to turn out so artsy but thanks to a plane contrail and some motion blur, it was worth keeping.
In Flagstaff for the night at a colorfully decorated Hampton Inn