Meteor Crater and Oak Creek Canyon

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We left the campground early and headed for Gray's Petrified Wood Co, where we spent a pleasurable hour browsing and buying souvenirs. They sure have a lot of neat stuff in that place.

Again the winds picked up as we headed west and, by the time we reached Meteor Crater, it was howling and the wind chill was down around freezing. We watched the movie and listened to a brief talk before heading outside into the wind to climb to the highest vantage point and take pictures. I shot a little video and the sounds of the wind roaring is quite evident. It was a pretty interesting site to visit once.

As we neared Flagstaff, it started spitting snow. We got off the interstate and headed down Oak Creek Canyon on Hwy 89A, seeing more and more snow on the ground and on the trees as we went. Luckily the roads were clear, but wet, and the snow became just rain as we descended into the canyon. It was amazingly beautiful with snow on the mountains and the rain making the red rocks darker red. We set up camp in Dead Horse Ranch State Park in Cottonwood in a light drizzle.

Sunday morning, Easter, was a gloriously bright and sunny day. We all slept later than usual, then got up and sat outside in the sun, enjoying the scenery. After a very leisurely breakfast, we loaded up into the van and headed back up Oak Creek Canyon. This time we had time and opportunity to stop and ogle the beautiful vistas and take a few pictures. We drove all the way back up to the Oak Creek Canyon overlook, which had been closed the day before due to snow, then turned around and came back down to the campground. We had a throw-together supper of odds and ends (very satisfying) then played cards until 9:00, when it was time for showers and bed. What a fantastic day of superior beauty.

This morning we broke camp and headed south to Phoenix, where we're spending the afternoon and evening with my brother and his wife, Skip and Mary.

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Photos

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Meteor Crater

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Snow in Oak Creek Canyon

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snow and fog in Oak Creek Canyon

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Oak Creek Canyon in the glorious sunshine

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Oak Creek Canyon from the overlook

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Oak Creek Canyon, Sedona area

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Oak Creek Canyon, Sedona area

Comments

[barbara]

looks so beautiful...sounds a bit too cold, but it's not exactly hot here either. love ya

[michael]

So what'd ya'll think of that big a$$ hole in the ground?? :)

[dave]

It looks beautiful there, too bad its been cold though. It sure looks like ya'll are having fun

[Pat]

closer and closer...
Love your photos - that canyon photo with the snow and fog should be framed Charlie!!! Can't wait to see you guys only a few more days till we party!!!