Spring Break in Sedona, Arizona

[Paul Hamilton]

When we told our San Francisco relatives that we were planning to spend spring break in Sedona, they decided to drive over and join us.  The result was a family get-together that included exploring the nearby Oak Creek Canyon, a day trip to the Grand Canyon, and touring the backcountry in a large pink jeep. 

Sedona Airport has been called "an island in the sky" and a "landlocked aircraft carrier".  It's a mesa, or flat-topped mountain with a runway, motel, restaurant, rabbits, quail, and ravens.  That's all one really needs.  The view from our room was unbelievable. "Island in the sky" really describes the feeling of living 500 feet above the city.  We got to wake up every morning to the sunrise on the red rock formations that surround the mesa.  At night, the thin, dry air meant that the stars shown brightly, even with a full moon.

I've got to put in a word for the Grand Canyon.  When I looked out over the rim, it was as if the universe had come to an end and replaced by a painted backdrop.  I think the lack of normal perspective cues keep the eye from being able to come to grips with the thing.  It was the most amazing sight I have ever seen.

Catherine is getting good with her new camera -- she took about half of the pictures in this album, including all of the aerial photos.  Enjoy!


Don't sign:

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Sign:

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Paul

[Patti from Kentucky]

I've got to put in a word for the Grand Canyon.  When I looked out over the rim, it was as if the universe had come to an end and replaced by a painted backdrop.  I think the lack of normal perspective cues keep the eye from being able to come to grips with the thing.  It was the most amazing sight I have ever seen.

Paul

Great pictures, Paul!  Jeane and I rafted the Grand Canyon many moons ago, which involved flying into Page, Arizona, joining our raft tour company, floating down the river for a bunch of days as we got deeper and deeper into the canyon, watching the walls grow taller each day.  We slept on pads under the stars; no tent required...which was one of the most amazing experiences of my life; something I can't do in the humid, dewy East or the COLD mountains where we typically camp.  Also one of the most relaxing vacations, once I decompressed from civilization; nothing to do but float, hike, eat, sleep.  At the end of the trip a helicopter picks you up, takes you up out of the canyon to a tiny airport, then you fly to Las Vegas where you experience extreme re-entry shock!  The problem with this adventure is that apart from the helicopter flight, we only saw the canyon from inside it...I've never seen the canyon from the rim, so that's on the list of places to return to.

I have a dream of hiking in and out of the canyon, but haven't convinced myself that my almost-50 year old knees can handle a 5000 foot elevation drop/gain.

So, I second your "word for the Grand Canyon".

Patti

[valhalla]

  I left numerous comments throughout the pictorial, but those views hit the point were words just don't cut it   As for Catherine, photography is a good hobby for a young lady    Way back in 1966, Daddy give me a black and white Polaroid Swinger that was one of his last Christmas presents to me - the camera, $19.95 was all hype, but it did serve it's initial purpose (I also had a few other Polaroids over the years).  I do have a very real bias, but I love it when young people take the time to learn how to take pictures as opposed to taking videos of things.  A single still picture can and does tell a powerful story AND Catherine captured a number of them!  Thanks for sharing and I look forward to seeing more of her endeavors