Spring in Arizona

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We begin our journey north to Cottonwood, Arizona. The landscape is painted with desert flowers. We're at one of our favorite Thousand Trails RV resorts. As often as we've been here we still find new places to visit.

The Chapel of the Holy Cross was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. It is a Catholic church; however it welcomes visitors of all faiths. Built into the red rock landscape of Sedona, visiting it is a very spiritual experience. While taking the short hike to the entrance we saw a rock climber way up high on the face of adjoining rocks. I bet the view from the top is outstanding!

It is good to meet up with old friends. Happy to see our friend Kat, who has rebounded after losing her husband. A bonus for us are her two mini-beagles, Susie and Buddy.

There is pickleball here with many TT gold, silver and bronze winners from the Seaside, Oregon tournament last year. Fortunately, there are also people at my skill level. HA! Tom recently found out his breathing problem is asthma (could have been worse.) He is trying out an inhaler and not playing pickleball. Walking the park's mountain hills provides him plenty of exercise.

Cottonwood is rich in Indian history. We took a jeep tour of the Hananki and Sanagua ruins. The pictographs are similar to what we've seen across the Southwest. What is curious is that they represent the culture here around 1100-1400 A.D. The same time Michaelangelo produced his works. The contrast leaves us speechless.

We'll be here through May, get Tom's scripts renewed and then move another 4,000' up in elevation for a cool summer. We were thankful that our marathon-running daughter was not in Boston during the horrific bombings. She and her husband made the trek the following week for our granddaughter's every-six-month visit to Boston Childrens Hospital. Good news also is that Megan may not have many more of these trips ahead of her.

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Photos

Chapel of The Holy Cross
Sedona, AZ

Archangel Michael
17th century Mexico

Spring Blooms
Desert, AZ

Pictograph Sinagua Dwellings
1100-1400 AD

Sinagua Dwellings
Family Seal Pictograph

Comments

[Joan Marcelli]

AWESOME
Hi Karen and Tom, Absolutely love the pictures ! I remember that the cactus flowers have such bold colors and are really beautiful. Sorry to hear that Tom has asthma. Hopefully the higher elevations will help with that. The Sedona dog made me laugh with his shades on. Really cute. Take Care and May God Bless !!

[Rich and Donna]

Love to Read About Your Adventures
Tom, Karen........ How wonderful that you can take in the beauty of Arizona. Looks like the two of you are enjoying nature at it's finest. Glad to hear that Tom's breathing problem is not more serious. We miss you guys........hope you make it back to Florida soon.

[Judy Grabowski]

Great Stuff!
Once again, thanks for doing this, sharing all the history surrounding your travel stops. I've heard about Sedona, but not Cottonwood TT. Does the higher elevation you're going to, mean Colorado, or some other place? Anyway, also glad that your daughter missed that marathon, too, and stayed safe. Take care and stay well.

[Rod and Nan Wolney]

Thanks
Hi Karen and Tom; Thanks for the update. So nice to "see" you. Wee love the Sedona area-so beautiful. Rod is very interested in the cultural sights. I think the Church is a work of art. I know what you mean about a special feeling there. Lovely here. Just had a week of really warm weather but is expeced to cool off and be wet this weekend - just as we are away to camp and golf. Haven't been playing p-ball as no court here but hope to be able to soon as they are talking about adapting our never-used school courts. Sure do hope so. Miss the game and, Lord knows, I can't afford to lose any of my meager skills. Please keep up the blogs and hope to hear from you soon. Love Nan~