Red Rock Crossing

     Red Rock Crossing is, according to the good folks around Sedona, the most photographed spot in all of Arizona.  And whether that boast is an absolute fact or not, one thing is certain – Red Rock Crossing is certainly one of the most beautiful places in all the American Southwest.
    Red Rock Crossing is easily accessible and a part of the Crescent Moon Picnic Area which acts as the gateway to this idyllic sanctuary that symbolizes the very spirit of Sedona.  It is here that people from all over the world come to enjoy a family picnic serenaded by the sounds of a babbling stream, come to take their own perfect photos of Oak Creek as it flows in front of magnificent Cathedral Rock, come to cool off or fish in one of the many shallow swimming holes, come to visit the nearby vortex or come simply to enjoy hiking within one of the most picturesque landscapes found anywhere in the world.
    Artists with their canvas upon their easels facing Cathedral Rock are also a common sight.  So too are bridal parties aligning themselves just right so that their first wedding photo features Red Rock Crossing as the backdrop.
    Hollywood long ago discovered Red Rock Crossing. Between 1923 and 1973 some 60 movies used the spectacular beauty of this Arizona oasis as their movie set.  When cowboy movies were America’s passion, Red Rock Crossing was abuzz with film crews and Hollywood legends.
    Cathedral Rock is a holy place to the local Native Americans that once lived in this high desert paradise.  It was a home of their gods and the birthplace of first man and first woman.  Mystical healing powers and cosmic energy are said to be very strong here.
    Any time is the perfect time to get out and visit Sedona’s Red Rock Crossing.  It is a very popular destination so plan to arrive early in the day.  Each season of the year brings a special charm to the land and the warmth of summer is the best time for those who enjoy getting wet as the cool waters of Oak Creek slowly meander by.  Who is to know, Red Rock Crossing just might become your most favorite place too to spend time photographing, relaxing and refreshing in all of Arizona.   

Beautiful Red Rock Crossing, Sedona, Arizona

Where Are All The Saguaro Flowers?

    We have been photographing the flowers and fruits of the saguaro cacti in the Anthem and New River, Arizona area for over 10 years now.  Many of our best pictures of saguaro flowers and their scarlet red fruits are posted on this blog.  Yet something is very different this Spring of 2015 - so many saguaro cacti that in years past were covered with beautiful, cream-colored flowers are totally flowerless this year.  At least half of the cacti we have photographed in past years have no flowers at all on them this year.  Why - we can only speculate.
    Maybe it is just a cycle and this year saguaros just did not produce flowers.  Maybe since the desert in this area received rain in every month since December 2014, that constant rainfall sparked something within the saguaros that didn’t result in flower production.  Maybe the warm temperatures of the past winter somehow prevented the cacti from blooming this year.  We do not know the reason for so few saguaro flowers in this spring of 2015 but we sure do miss them.
    In a year when there were not as many saguaro blooms, here are a few of our 2015 best…

Four, beautiful bloom on the morning of June 9, 2015

The same four blooms now closed on the morning of June 10, 2015

Notice the drop of nectar

This flower is closing after its night of bloom; taken about 10:30am

Love our woodpeckers

Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

   
     

Cool Places In The Rim Country

    As the heat of summer returns to the Valley of the Sun, many of us are beginning to look for a cooler place to escape the hot summer temperatures.  Lucky for us the Mogollon Rim is only a short drive away and is always a guarantee of cooler weather and more rainfall.
    Here are five Rim Country communities that offer cooler weather and great recreational activities for all the family. 


    Williams, Arizona – only a 2 ½-hour drive from the Valley, this Rim Country town is the southern Gateway to all the attractions of the Grand Canyon.

Where to stay:  The Lodge on Route 66 is our favorite and is within walking distance of all the downtown attractions. 

What to do:  Drive the 54 miles to the Grand Canyon being sure to stop and enjoy the Planes of Fame Air Museum as well as Bedrock City along the way.  Or, ride “The Train” to the magnificent views of the national park.  Visit Bearizona or hike to the top of Bill Williams Mountain.  Enjoy all the shops found in downtown Williams along Historic Route 66.

Helpful links: http://experiencewilliams.com/; http://www.thelodgeonroute66.com/; http://www.thetrain.com/the-train/; http://planesoffame.org/index.php?page=valle-az-location; http://bearizona.com/



     Payson/Pine/Strawberry – only a short 60 -minute drive from the far East Valley, these three Rim Country towns offer limitless recreational activities.

Where to stay:  We enjoy the Up the Creek Bed and Breakfast in Strawberry but many hotels, unique B&Bs and charming cabins are available.


What to do:  You can hike, mountain bike or horseback ride for over 800 miles on the trails of the Tonto National Forest. The swimming holes of the East Verde River and Fossil Creek are really popular during the summer months.  Visit the Rim Country Museum, home to Zane Grey’s Mogollon Rim cabin.  Enjoy the beauty of the fern grotto at Tonto Natural Bridge State Park. 

Helpful links: http://paysonrimcountry.com/; http://upthecreekbedandbreakfast.com/; http://azstateparks.com/parks/tona/; http://rimcountrymuseums.com/


     Kohl’s Ranch Lodge/Tonto & Christopher Creeks Area – The historic Kohl’s Ranch Lodge along Tonto Creek is only 20 miles east of Payson. 

Where to stay:  We suggest the Kohl’s Ranch Lodge but this is also great camping country along Christopher Creek, Bear Flats or Woods Canyon Lake.  When you camp out in this part of Arizona, you see the brilliance of the nighttime sky undisturbed by city lights.

What to do:  fish for trout or simply hike along the banks of these refreshing mountains creeks; search for fossils at the Kohl’s Ranch Naco Paleo Site; visit the Tonto Creek Fish Hatchery; relax and read that long delayed book while listening to the wind in the pines and the “babbling of the brooks”; enjoy a few s’mores over a crackling, evening campfire.

Helpful links: https://www.diamondresorts.com/Kohls-Ranch-Lodge; http://www.parkgrades.com/parks/kohls-ranch-naco-paleo-site; http://www.arizona-leisure.com/christopher-creek.html


     Bison Ranch Resort, Overgaard - The Bison Ridge Resort is found higher in Rim Country some 150 miles from the Valley and in the small town of Overgaard.

Where to stay: The WorldMark Bison Ranch Resort is a great family escape in Arizona’s Rim Country.  Both cabins and condos are available to rent. 

What to do:  At the resort enjoy the catch and release fishing pond, tennis/basketball/sand volleyball courts, swimming, billards and fitness center.  Resort is only 5 miles from the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest with limitless fishing, hiking, biking, and ATV activities.

Helpful links: http://www.vrbo.com/366478; https://www.worldmarktheclub.com/resorts/bi/


     Greer – even though it is almost 230 miles from Phoenix, there is no place to discover the cool Rim Country like the small community of Greer.  At an elevation of 8,300 feet, even the July/August mornings in Greer are down right chilly.

Where to stay:  We suggest the historic Molly Butler Lodge or rent a cabin through the Greer Cabin Keepers. The cabins of the X-Diamond Ranch located just off the mountain but right next to the Little Colorado River are special.

What to do:  go fishing in the Little Colorado River or Big Lake, hike, bike, ATV or horseback the hundreds of miles of trails; discover the towns of Springerville-Eagar; photograph all the diverse wildlife found in Rim Country; visit the nearby Native American ruins of Kinishba, Little Bear or Casa Malpais; just get out and relax!

Helpful links: http://mollybutlerlodge.com/; http://www.xdiamondranch.com/; http://www.wmonline.com/cities/rv.htm; http://www.visitarizona.com/places-to-visit/northern-arizona/big-lake

Bill Williams Statue, Williams, AZ

Bedrock, AZ

Up The Creek B&B, Strawberry, AZ

Fern Grotto, Tonto Bridge State Park

View off the Mogollon Rim

Woods Canyon Lake

Bison Ranch

Fishing in the Little Colorado River, X-Diamond Ranch

Big Lake

Kinishba Ruins, Whiteriver, AZ

Fabulous Ruins Near Sedona

       The whole world seems to be very aware of the natural beauty and recreational opportunities found in and around the northern Arizona community of Sedona.  The beautiful red rocks mountains with their miles of hiking and jeep trails, fresh running streams with deep fishing holes and even cosmic vortexes have been attracting families to this natural paradise for nearly 1000 years.
       For here too in this red rock county, less than 20 miles from downtown Sedona, a group of Sinagua Indians built two large red rock pueblos and lived within them between 1125 – 1300 CE.  Known today by their Hopi names of Palatki and Honanki, these two spectacular ruins lie within five miles of each other and are just waiting for visitors to come and enjoy their ancient beauty.  
     Both sites are designated heritage sites and are managed by the U.S. Forest Service and the Red Rock Pass Program. Both sites, as are all ancient ruins and historic sites, are under the protection of the 1979 Archeological Resource Protection Act.
    Tours of Palatki, whose name means “Red House”, now only occur with a site docent due to the condition of the ruins and some recent destructive graffiti.    Three ¼-mile trails lead from the parking lot to a site over-look, the cliff dwellings themselves and a nearby alcove that protects many ancient petroglyphs and pictographs.
    Reservations to visit the Palatki Heritage Site are highly recommended, as tour groups are limited to 15 guests.  So too are a good pair of walking shoes.   A small visitor center is also located on the Palatki site.
    The nearby Honanki Heritage Site is believed to have been the largest Sinagua community in the Verde Valley. Visitors to Honanki are still welcome to walk into and among the ruins; a site steward is at the site but there are no docent tours.
    Honanki, whose name means “Bear House” is accessed by a short/easy, 1/8-mile trail from the parking area.  Over 30 ground floor rooms are located under the overhanging cliff.  Spectacular glyphs of Kokopelli the flute player, spirits, animals and ancient hands remind visitors of those who have gone before.
    The ruins of Palatki and Honanki are both located in an area known as Loy Canyon.  The gravel roads are wide and well maintained.  Both sites are open daily.  Photography opportunities will be abundant.  A Red Rock Pass for vehicles is required at both sites.
    Spring has arrived once again in and around Sedona so why not make this the time to get out, enjoy the beautiful weather, the abundance of wildflowers along the roadside and the two marvelous ruins of Palatki and Honanki.   Be sure to take your camera for you are going to really want to remember this Arizona trip!

A real Kokopelli

Ancient hands...

"The Wickedest Town in the West"

    The good people of Jerome will be putting on the town's 50th Historic Home Tour shortly.  If you have never been to Jerome, or have not returned for some time, this will be a perfect event to rediscover for yourself the place once known as the "Wickedest Town in the West."
    Here is a press release from our friend Donna Chesler with all the details.  Hope you can make your way to Jerome for this wonderful event.


50th Annual Jerome Historic Home and Building Tour
May 16-17th, 2014
9:00AM-3:00PM for last ticket sales
928.634-2900 Jerome Chamber of Commerce
$20 adults/$10 Children/Not handicapped accessible.
The longest running home tour in Arizona boasts never before seen Historic and Significant homes in this Guided Tour through the mile high town’s back streets.

The Jerome Chamber of Commerce has begun planning the most talked about event of the year, The Jerome Historic Home and Building Tour, celebrating its 50th year.
Guests will have the comfort and the shelter of Spook Hall and enjoy entertainment and seats while waiting for the shuttle to begin this wonderful tour. Watch for more details in the weeks to come as the lineup of homes unfolds. Five homes are selected with 2 more to come. The Rosie Salas House was built in 1898 and has had a first class renovation using many local artisans to create a truly lovely home with huge views. The Paul Nonnast Home is in itself a work of art created by the late Jerome Artist who died in 2005. A student of Paolo Soleri and Arcosanti, Paul designed and lived in a unique studio and then built a main home on the mile high cliff of Jerome. For the first time, the public will get a glimpse of the incredible design of this talented artist. George and Lori Riley are completing a major exterior renovation of their 1990’s home that is perched above 89A. They have added terracing with rock walls, decks and a new studio to make this a remarkable stop on the tour. Stories from the old days in Jerome are abundant for this home as many locals have a long history with the property. The 1914 home of local furniture designer Tim McClellan is on the tour. Situated on the main road into town, this well built cottage is loaded with charm as well as furniture from Tim’s Western Heritage Furniture located right across the street. The Robinson home is a Victorian charmer with a turret that affords a view of the Jerome town from a very unique perspective.

Tickets will be sold online as well as the day of the event. It is most crowded in the morning so it is recommended to come in early afternoon for the least amount of waiting. Vans transport guests to each location where you can stay as long as you like. Get on the next van and proceed with the tour. It will take 2-4 hours to complete the tour depending on how long you spend at each stop. For more information, call The Jerome Chamber at 928.634.2900.

For more information about this press release, contact Donna Chesler at 928.301.3004 or cheslerphoto@mindspring.com

Here are a few examples as to what you will see...

Photo by Michael Thompson

The Rileys used only rocks found on their property to make this incredible wall.

The house is famous for a large hole on the property that was filled by dumping numerous cars and a boat in it to fill it up!

Photo by Michael Thompson

This Cottage built in 1914 will be on the tour It is owned by celebrity furniture designer Tim McClellan who recently was featured on Ellen’s Design Challenge.

Photo by Donna Chesler

The Robinson Victorian Home has one of the most interesting views of the mile high town from the charming cupola. Guests will be able to see this during the Home Tour so bring your camera!

Photo of The Rosie Salas House by Michael Thompson.

Caving Arizona

    The beauty of Arizona’s landscapes has long been documented and photographed.  Yet, underneath the vast deserts and majestic mountains of Arizona is a whole world of caves, many of which are just waiting for you to get out and discover. 
    Arizona is truly a treasure of speleological wonders. Speleologists, scientists who study caves, estimate that over 4000 caves lie beneath the ground of Arizona with some 1,600 Arizona caves already having been discovered, verified and documented.
    These scientists define a cave as any opening within the ground that allows for human entrance and that extends at least 50 feet in any direction.  If the opening is less than 50 feet, it is classified as a shelter.  These same scientists also speculate that over 95% of all of Arizona’s underground caverns have no opening to the surface.
    Luckily we don’t have to be skilled in spelunking to enjoy the underground beauty of a few of Arizona’s most spectacular caves.  Here are a few that are open and easily accessible to the public.

In Southern Arizona

Kartchner Caverns State Park is truly the crown jewel of Arizona caves.  These underground, “living” caverns have been protected as an Arizona State Park since 1988 and were first opened for public tours in 1999.  Located near Benson, Arizona, well-trained park docents offer a variety of tours that vary during the year because of a colony of bats that still use the Big Room as a nursery.  Reservations are highly recommended/Park & Tour fees apply - http://www.explorethecaverns.com/


Colossal Cave Mountain Park features a dry, limestone cave located just to the east of Tucson.  This privately owned cave was first opened for tours in 1917.  It extends into the mountain some 600 feet from the cave entrance and descends some 40 feet below the ground.  There are 363 steps in this vast cave so it is not an ideal experience for anyone who has difficulty climbing stairs.  Entry fee - http://www.colossalcave.com/welcome.html

Coronado Cave is located in the Coronado National Monument south of Sierra Vista.  Park Rangers lead daily tours to this large, limestone cave found at the base of Montezuma Peak.  Tour requires a 1-mile roundtrip hike and ability to scale down and up a 30-foot rocky slope.   This is a more rugged cave adventure than either Kartchner Caverns or Colossal Cave.  National Park entry fee - http://www.nps.gov/coro/planyourvisit/coronado-cave.htm
  

In Northern Arizona 

Grand Canyon Caverns is the largest dry cave in the United States.  Located on Historic Route 66 west of Seligman, this Arizona cave is friendly to all visitors as an elevator slowly lowers visitors some 200 feet below the surface.  Long, paved walkways with handrails allow for visitors to spend as much time as they wish exploring the cave geological features.  Entry fee applies - http://gccaverns.com/

Lava River Cave is the most remote and undeveloped of these highlighted caves.  This 700,000-year-old lava tube is found in the Coconino National Forest northwest of Flagstaff.  There have been no “man-made” improvements to this ¾ mile long cave so be sure to wear sturdy shoes and have more than one source of light.  The cave was first discovered by lumberjacks in 1915 and provides visitors with a rugged caving experience.  No Entry fee - http://www.city-data.com/articles/Lava-River-Cave-Flagstaff-Arizona.html

    The Arizona Cave Protection Act safeguards all of Arizona’s caves.  Any damaging or defacing of the cave can result in a severe fine.  Spelunking in undeveloped natural caves can be dangerous so be sure to wear proper protective clothing and follow all caving safety and etiquette guidelines. 
    Anyone wishing to learn the proper ways of spelunking in Arizona wilderness can learn the rules and the techniques from the Central Arizona Grotto Club - http://centralarizonagrotto.webstarts.com/

   Caving Tips & Etiquette from the National Speleological Society - http://caves.org/safety/

1.    Never go alone into a cave.  Always stay with your group.
2.    Plan ahead for an emergency.  Be sure to have multiple sources of light.
3.    Bring the right gear; wear the right clothing.
4.    Tell someone where your caving group have gone and when you plan to return home.
5.    Stick to the pre-established routes in the cave.  Caves are slippery; wear good caving shoes.
6.     Wear protective head gear.
7.      Leave the cave as you found it.  Don’t litter, disturb the cave formations or any wildlife.  Don’t cause any damage to the cave.

Visitor Center -Colossal Cave

Colossal Cave

Some of the steps of Colossal Cave

Visitor Center Grand Canyon Caverns

Ceiling of Lava River Cave near Flagstaff

Another ceiling picture

Dick in the very dark Lave River Cave