Day 2 – Fall 2012

The day started with a dilemma (not really) …

So we started the day trying to figure out where to go watch the Packer’s play the Cardinals and wound up at Olde Sedona – the melting pot of the NFL for the day anyhow. One side of the bar were the Packer fans, in the middle were a whopping 2 or 3 Cardinal fans, the other side of the bar we had Bears fans, Lion’s fans, towards the back of the room others were watching the Bronco’s – made for an interesting experience, booing and cheering all over the place. Good news for us – the Packer’s won.

Next on the agenda, a trip to the top of the town – up Schnebly Hill. For those that may not have heard about our first adventure (a couple years ago) up Schnebly Hill, it goes like this: We started our journey up Schnebly Hill road in our Buick Century rental car. At the end of the paved road we were met with a sign reading “passenger vehicles not recommended past this point”. I focused on the word “recommended”. They weren’t kidding! The 5 mile road ascends some 2,000 feet with ruts, rocks and holes that would challenge the best 4×4’s. The trip took us a mere 60 minutes but once at the top, the views were priceless. Several trips later, we were all giddy thinking we were going to have the same experience with some friends who travelled with us but were sad when we got there and found the road had been graded (something they do every 3-4 years). The trip up Schnebly Road then took about 10 minutes. What a disappointment.

So here we are with a Jeep 4×4 crossing our fingers that Schnebly had not been graded. This time we were not disappointed! We stopped at the trail head parking lot, took the roof off the Jeep and started the climb. Ruts, rocks and holes – just as we had remembered – this time we were hanging with the best of the Jeep tours going up and coming down.

Again, the views did not disappoint. Check out the Gallery under the Scenery section and see for yourself!

Back down bouncing and giggling all the way – finally made it back to the trail head where we covered the Jeep back up (an experience for another day).

Dinner uptown at one of our favorite Sedona restaurants – The Cowboy Club. Tink had a nicely prepared halibut and I went for the buffalo flank steak.

Back to the casita for more patio dwelling and star gazing. Tonight we were blessed with seven shooting stars. I am starting to think they are trying to tell us something.

Tomorrow a vortex hike. Pics forthcoming!

 

Day One In The Bag

So what could be better than finally getting here?

Getting to the car rental place – where we had a reservation for an SUV – something with high enough clearance that we could climb Schnebly Hill Road without ripping the bottom off a standard rental sedan. Unfortunately they were out of SUV’s and the only thing they could offer up was an upgrade to a Jeep Wrangler, 4-door with a removable soft-top. How cool.

The climb up the hill from Phoenix was uneventful, we did pause to reminisce at the spot where I met the friendly state trooper last May when we were here last.

Taking the turn off the highway, through the village and around the curve to see the amazing panoramic view of the red rocks never fails to get me, today was no different and it certainly didn’t disappoint. Still a lot of green around here but some of the trees have started turning gold – an even more amazing sight against the red rock formations.

A quick trip to the grocery store (where we finally got a rewards membership card, thus the first step in establishing our dual citizenship) for a few provisions to get things underway and back to the Casita, a very nice place – cute and cozy with amazing views, an outdoor fireplace and a hot tub.

A little deck dwelling, nice cigar, couple glasses of wine watched the sunset. Some dinner then a dip in the hot tub. The stars are amazing, you could just about swirl the milky way around with your index finger. Sat there wishing to myself how much I would love to spend much, much more time here and then it happened – a shooting star.

On Our Way Again

And we’re off.

Thanks to our nephew Zander for the lift to the airport this morning. We know it was early for you – particularly since you had to close last night. We appreciate it!

After a near strip-search at the airport (not really, but I was close to going gangsta having to take my belt off and damn near losing my shorts (yes, I am wearing shorts – heading to Arizona after all), we finally got to the gate and discovered a whole new world in terms of airport dining.

Restaurant next to the gate called Volante – some sort of upscale, trendy place that make even techo-geeks like me nervous.

Each table / seat at the bar have an iPad mounted with a credit card reader next to it. You want a drink? Order it from the iPad, food? order it from the iPad, want to play games or read the news, it’s there too. Makes me wonder if Apple shares the tips.

After one 10 oz Bloody Mary and a modest breakfast for each of us, my wallet was a measly $62 lighter. Guess someone has to pay for all those iPads.

Boarded on time and up in the air.