Posts Tagged With: What to do near Sedona Arizona

Maine or Bust 2022: The Granite Dells

Posted on March 29, 2022 by carryoncouple.com
The fascinating rock formations of the Granite Dells create a maze of walking trails.

We couldn’t wrap up our stay near Sedona without a trip to the Granite Dells. Located about 4 miles north of downtown Prescott, Arizona, day hikers will find miles of trails winding up and down through forests of large boulders. The feeling is a little unworldly.

We chose to explore the curiously named Constellation Loop Trail, a 2.4 mile hike up, down through a variety of landscape and rock formations. Although there is a bit of climbing, this is not too challenging of a walk. We saw people of all ages wandering…picking and choosing their route from the many intersecting trails. Reg and I couldn’t help but think how much our three boys would have loved racing each other along the dusty paths – back when they were young enough to make a competition out of anything and everything!

At the end of our loop we learned the history behind the Constellation Loop trail name. The large plaque serves as a nice memorial to the five servicemen who will be remembered by all who walk this trail.

Categories: Maine or Bust 2022 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

It’s a Grand Canyon

Posted on April 18, 2019 by carryoncouple.com
There was not a cloud in the sky today as we gazed over the rim of Grand Canyon.

It’s impossible to capture the vastness of the Grand Canyon with a simple photo. However, that has never stopped me from trying! Wandering the Rim Trail, we worked up an appetite and soon found refreshments in the El Tovar Hotel restaurant (be sure to ask for a table with a view). We wandered through the Hopi House (below right), built in 1904. The gift shop showcases Native American arts and crafts.

As we headed back to the parking lot, were reminded of our last trip to the Grand Canyon 13 years ago. Our sons were all well into their teenage years, and we wanted one last family adventure before they all headed off in different directions. The 2-day mule ride down to Phantom Ranch for the night, while not easy, remains a grand family memory.

We posed for a family photo on our 2006 mule ride to the bottom of the Grand Canyon.
Categories: Road Trips, U.S. National Parks | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Walnut Canyon National Monument

Posted on April 16, 2019 by carryoncouple.com
It is thought that cliff dwellings of Walnut Canyon were abandoned in 1250, having been lived in just over 100 years.

The grandeur of the Walnut Canyon cliff dwellings is hard to capture in a small photo. Hoping for a better look, we held tight to the railing and started down the dizzying 185-foot, 240-step pathway to reach the Island Trail.



The “island” refers to the large rock and hill that stands behind it which jut out into the middle of the canyon (photo above right). The trail encircles the two outcroppings, passing within feet of multiple ruins. Across the expanse of the canyon are numerous other dwellings, all once inhabited by the Sinagua people.



We hadn’t intended on visiting Walnut Canyon, although several people had told us it was well worth the trip…and it was. If climbing down and up the trail is not your thing, or if you’re bothered by heights, the view from the rim is pretty spectacular too.

Categories: Road Trips | Tags: , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Hidden Treasures

Posted on April 12, 2019 by carryoncouple.com
Today our adventure took us well off the beaten path.

We bounced down six long miles on a dirt road today, determined to visit the Palatki Heritage Site, one of the two largest cliff dwelling sites found among the red rocks in the Sedona, Arizona area.





After a short walk up through the trees to the bottom of the cliff, we reached the ruins of the ancient Sinagua people who lived in the area from 1150 – 1300 A.D. A ranger was on hand to explain a little bit of what is known about the lives of cliff dwellers.

Categories: Road Trips | Tags: , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Lost in the Granite Dells

Posted on April 10, 2019 by carryoncouple.com
The Granite Dells spill into Watson Lake reservoir.

Several folks insisted the great hiking through unusual rock formations (know as Granite Dells) just outside the city of Prescott, Arizona was not to be missed. We packed our lunch, filled our water bottles and set off over the hill to see what all the fuss was about.

We began our walk along the Peavine Trail.
A network of trails wrapped around, through and sometimes over the unusually shaped Granite Dells.

These granite boulders were formed 1.4 billion years ago, slowly exposed and shaped by erosion and weathering. Wandering through this geologic wonderland is like entering another world.

We loved the walking, but finding a shady spot for lunch wasn’t easy.
Categories: Road Trips | Tags: , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

The Strawberry Schoolhouse

Posted on April 7, 2019 by carryoncouple.com
The Strawberry Schoolhouse teaches us about the past.

Located high above the Verde Valley in the community of Strawberry, Arizona, stands the little one-room Strawberry Schoolhouse. Built in 1885 out of pine logs, it was added to the National register of Historic Places in 2005, and remains one of the oldest standing schoolhouses in the state.

A notice on the schoolhouse door informed us that tours could be arranged by appointment.
The locked door didn’t stop us from peeking in the windows.
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