North Rim of the Grand Canyon

On my road trip to Sedona, I stopped at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, thinking to myself.  "I can drive to this amazing wonder of the world in about six hours and yet, I have never been to the Grand Canyon or should I say Canyons with all the branches going in every direction."

I happened to pick the wrong time to go because of the fire in Prescott, Arizona which left really smokey views so the pictures are not clear but the views took my breath away.  I am so glad that there were rails to hang on to because it can make you a little dizzy looking down into the canyons.

I heard more foreign languages spoken in a few hours than I've ever heard in my life time from visits across our world.

There are lovely cabins, a main lodge, camping areas and creatures large and small that live there year round. To really visit, I think staying in a cabin would be the best way.  Of course, the waiting list might be years long.

Inside the lodge visiting was a little guest.

Linking up with Travel Photo Monday.

Fences Around Fountains

As I meandered through Tlaquepaque (pronounced Tla-keh-pah-keh) meaning the "best of everything", I came upon one fountain after another. It was amazing to see so many fountains in one small area of this unique old Mexican village in Sedona, Arizona but the spiral fence surrounding this gorgeous fountain was the most awe-inspiring.  Built in the 1970s, the village is filled with shops and restaurants and even an old church.

Wind sculptures covered the area behind the stone fence.

Linking to Friday's Fences

Tlaquepaque (pronounced Tla-keh-pah-keh)

In the heart of Sedona, Arizona is a quaint village called Tlaquepaque. 

There were fountains around every corner.

 I came across this stately metal church door within the complex although I was not able to go into the church.

   This lovely sculpture of an indian (not sure if this was Hopi or Navajo) on his horse and the unique landscape of Sedona was found in the middle of the village close to the largest fountain.

Linking to Oh, the Places I've been the Tablescaper.

Sedona from the Sky

Enjoyed the view of Sedona, Arizona from a small red helicopter.

This is my favorite shot from the air.

This ride was the highlight of my entire trip and take one off my bucket list.

No doors, just seat belts but our retired Navy pilot gave us a very pleasant ride.

Linking to Travel Photo Monday.

Lava Art

Fillmore is a tiny place about mid Utah looking at the State from North to South.  I was impressed with one resident who uses lava to make art.

A natural wooden sign.

Lava, rock and wood art fences. Weedless yards.

I have no idea how they are made.  Do you?

The entryway to their home.

Beautiful landscaping.

Art work for sale.  Can you see the rider on a wooden horse?

Linking up with Oh, The Places I've Been on the Tablescaper and
Friday's fences.

Moqui Cave

I passed Moqui Cave (located five miles north of Kanab, Utah on US Highway 89) and decided to stop this time and I am thrilled that I did.

This cave was once used by the ancient ones (Anasazi) to store food. In the early 1900s it was a speakeasy during prohibition.  It is not a natural cave but one that was formed by using the sand in the cave to make glass. In 1951 it was purchased by Garth Chamberlain who turned it into a bar and dance hall.

What cave do you know of that has a TV antennae on top?

The original bar room is now just a tourist peek. The bar is made of a variety of cut stones. The dance hall which is in another section of the cave has a bounty of semi precious stones, ultra violet fluorescent minerals and dinosaur fossils. 

A section of the bar under a shiny resin.

I found it interesting that the cave is now a museum and that the granddaughter of the Chamberlains was holding tours and running the gift shop. It is still owned by the family.

Inside the cave are many Hopi and Navajo artifacts. One sample of Dinosaur tracks are in the photo below.

I had a nice chat with the granddaughter and she was thrilled when it started to rain because they don't see much rain in that part of the Utah.

Linking to Travel Photo Discovery today.

Surrounded by Boulders

Surrounded by gigantic boulders, I was bowled over viewing the ruins and the boulders which had fallen from the cliffs of Marble Canyon (no marble there but it was named marble because of the Vermilion rock colors) in Arizona.  Whether it was the Anaasazi (ancient ones) or just the cliff dwellers, they have many names and dwellings all over Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado.  The Navajo called them the Indians without water.

I don't know about you but I am glad I was not there when these boulders fell from the cliffs. 

Surrounded by boulders the size of semi trucks.

Shelter built with smaller rocks.

Linking up with Friday's My Town Shoot Out

and Oh, the Places I've Been from the Tablescaper.

Kanab

After having a wonderful lunch in the park at Fillmore on 4th of July, I skedaddled off to Kanab, Utah where I had dinner in their lovely park. Small towns are such a delight for celebrations.

Playing in the water at Kanab.

Small crowd, small park, tons of fun for everyone.  The high school had a fund raiser dinner.  Delicious roast beef, kettle potatoes with cheese, rolls and salad - it was delish!

Live music, polynesian dancers entertained us, and I settled right in as if I belonged to the community.  Met a very nice family and had dinner with them.

Stayed at the Victorian Inn and watched fireworks from my comfy king sized bed.  You can't beat that!

I thought that this dresser in my room was very unusual - I have never seen one like it before - perhaps, it is real Victorian.

Fillmore

I celebrated the 4th at Fillmore and in Kanab, Utah. I lunched at Fillmore joining hoards of people in the park behind the Territorial Statehouse. 

Ye ole dunking machine. It was fun to watch as kids volunteered to sit in the middle of the dunking machine while others threw baseballs at the paddle to release the dunking chair sending them splashing into the water.

I was greeted by the stag and glad that I didn't need gas at such high prices.

Bought a Navajo Taco (all the ingredients of a Taco on Indian Fry Bread) and a Texas Twister to wet my parched tongue.