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Thursday 27 September 2012

Wonders Of The Golden West Part 3....

After a good night's sleep it was time to board the coach again heading north through the Arizona Desert where we stopped to look at the cacti at


a piece of Apache land that is up for sale at $20,000 an acre apparently.

We didn't realise just how big the cacti are until we stood next to them.



After a short break we were on the road again travelling through the Verde Valley  and the General Crook Trail and into red rock canyon country.






We saw the famous Bell Rock in Oak Creek Canyon



 before stopping in Sedona for lunch and a little shopping. 


Sedona's main attraction is its stunning array of red sandstone  formations, the Red Rocks of Sedona. The formations appear to glow in brilliant orange and red when illuminated by the rising or setting sun.   Sedona was named after Sedona Arabelle Miller Schnebly (1877–1950), the wife of Theodore Carlton Schnebly, the city's first postmaster.

We left Sedona 


heading up to Oak Creek Vista 



with it's spectacular views of the Coconino National Forest.   After a short photo stop we set off again to Flagstaff and The Grand Canyon and this was our first awe inspiring view of the wondrous place.  I cannot explain the feeling of awe I experienced when I looked out on this view, it brought tears to my eyes and a feeling of peace and wonder.  


We took lots of photos and I have to say none of them do it justice but I will post what I consider to be the best, I hope they give you some idea of the wonder of one of the seven natural wonders of the world.



After this quick photo opportunity we were taken to our lodge, in the Canyon National Park, to quickly freshen up before being taken to Mather Point on the South Rim, which is the widest point of the Canyon at approx. 18miles and another photo opportunity.

















It was time to leave Mather Point and head back to the lodge to eat and then to bed ready for another early start the following morning and the journey to Las Vegas.

I hope you'll join me there in Wonders Of The Golden West Part 4.

20 comments:

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

to me sedona was the most beautiful place in all of the west. i could live there in a heartbeat!

hugs, bee
xoxoooo

bobbybegood1 said...

Spectacular pictures. The West is just gorgeous. You two look like you are having a blast. Cheers!!

Commander Zaius said...

Great pictures! Your trip was fantastic.

By chance did you stop at Roswell, New Mexico?

Ron said...

These photos are absolutely STUNNING!

Holy cow!

"I cannot explain the feeling of awe I experienced when I looked out on this view, it brought tears to my eyes and a feeling of peace and wonder."

I know I would have felt the same way.

Love the shot of you standing next to the cactus. It gave a perfect example of how BIG they were - WOO!

The photo of you and MWM standing in front of that magnificent view is just lovely!

Thanks so much sharing Arizona, m'dear. Thoroughly enjoyed. Looking forward to part 4 - Vegas! That's one place on the west coast I have been.

Have a great weekend....X

Lorraine said...

What amazing photographs again Pearl. You do lead such a full and adventurous life and I love the fact you take us with you xxxxxxxx

Valerie said...

Jack Ass Acres .. lol.

Wow, seen from your viewpoint the grand canyon looks impressive. No wonder you had tears in your eyes.

Loved that cactus, Pearl, it pretty much dwarfed you.

Akelamalu said...

Sedona is a lovely place I agree Bee. :)

We did have a blast bobbybegood :)

We didn't get to New Mexico Beach, unfortunately. Who knows though we may in the future, is that where you live?

I'm so glad you enjoyed the photos Ron, they really DO NOT do the place justice at all. It's one of those places you just have to see yourself. You'll recognise lots of places in Part 4 Vegas I'm sure.

We are living life to the full while we can Lorraine, you never know what the future has in store do you?

Jack Ass Acres made me laught too Valerie. I couldn't believe just how big the cactus were until I stood beside one.

Daryl said...

Grand Canyon is still on my must see list .. the red rocks of the southwest are amazing .. outside of Las Vegas is Red Rock Canyon, i bet you went there .. oh my its gorgeous .. and your shots of Grand Canyon are superb!!!!!

A Lady's Life said...

Such spectacular views and the camera doesn't give it justice.
This is the way feel too when I try to take such a photo but I am sure it was breath taking and at least you have experienced it so that's the most important thing. Amazing views on this planet, left for us to enjoy in awe.

Akelamalu said...

So pleased you enjoyed the photos of the Canyon Daryl and coming from you that is a wonderful compliment so thankyou. I'm sure when you get to see it for yourself your photographs will be A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.

My first sight of the Grand Canyon will stay in my memory F.O.R.E.V.E.R. Lady's Life.

Linda said...

Just played catch-up looking at all the photos of your trip from your three posts and I must say that you certainly covered a lot of beautiful ground!

Even though I've lived in the west and visited many times, I've yet to have the chance to get to the Grand Canyon. You would have thought that I would have seen it as a kid when we lived in Arizona but I distinctly remember my father saying, "Who wants to go look at a big hole in the ground?" Yikes! And that was back before the place was crawling with tourists all the time so it would have been great to see it then! Oh well, not having a Tardis at my disposal I can't time-travel back so will just have to enjoy looking at it through photos like yours!

I'm quite looking forward to your post on Lake Tahoe!

katie eggeman said...

You did a great job of capturing the canyon. Large landscapes can be difficult to capture, you did it. We love to get to Flagstaff, when driving thru AZ, it is always an oasis in the desert, so cool.

R. J. said...

Great photos of the Grand Canyon--one of my favorite places in this country. You've also seen places I haven't in my country.

Cloudia said...

that pic of you 2 before the canyon is magical!



Aloha from Honolulu,

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Akelamalu said...

Well I hope you get to the Canyon sometime in the future Linda because I just know you would take some S.T.U.N.N.I.N.G. photos. x

Thankyou BankerChick, I'm glad you enjoyed them.

The Canyon is just amazing R>J> and we were lucky to see so many places on the tour.

Why thankyou Cloudia xx

eastcoastlife said...

Oh wow! The cacti are huge! The Grand Canyon is a must-visit destination before I die. :P

de engineur said...

Beautiful scenery, thanks for sharing. Love the views from the top of the canyon

Travis Cody said...

I know what you mean about seeing Grand Canyon for the first time. I've been there twice, and the feeling of awe was the same both times.

I love that shot of you at the Canyon with the weather playing behind you.

Akelamalu said...

You really must see the Grand Canyon east coast life, it's awesome!

Pleased you enjoyed the photos de engineur

You can't really describe it can you Trav? It's just a place you have to see for yourself isn't it?

Connie T. said...

I love the Grand Canyon. It is so beautiful. I want to go to Canyon Land next summer. It is like the grand canyon but a lot bigger and not crowded. It is in Utah. You can drive down into it.