No Silly Grin In Sedona - #12

Sunday 15 April


Boy did we sleep well. We went across road to Dairy Maid for a coffee while we made our mind up what to do today.

We decided to stay in Sedona. To go around by going back to Phoenix would add time and money with no guarantee that we would get to Flagstaff. We had to go to Flagstaff to get to the Grand Canyon.

The day had dawned sunny and calm and although there were piles of snow around it was melting fast. Cars would get through but no bikes were going up.

Nev was keen to get some duck tape to patch his fallen beast up. I enjoyed a coffee in the sun taking in the mountain vistas and figured out some accommodation.

I was talking to a nice ole couple who had come over from Flagstaff and said that ride (in their car I might add), was not a nice one. He said when they were coming down they passed two motorbikes that were going up the road real slow.  Hhmmm... I didn't tell him it was us, I would have had to go through the whole story and the whole place would have heard it as they were as deaf as a post!

It was quite nice not to be moving for the day except to see some local sights. Sedona is a spot that people come to for the weekend, to chill out. It's quite wealthy with lots of relaxed retirees. A little bit fringe and bit alternative. There are definitely some different types around here, beautiful place though. We booked into a cheap place or so we thought, the damm sales always seems to get forgotten when you ask for a price, AND the sales tax seems to vary from place to place. Anyway the owner roccomended some places for us to see. So we set off up the road to see a beautiful church that had been set into the rock. A lady saw one like it in Europe and spent the rest of her life trying to make it happen in the USA. It is designed by Marguerite Brunswig Staude, a student of the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

She spent her fortune building and it nothing short of magnificent.

The Chapel of the Holy Cross

Thousands visit it every year as a place to just appreciate the  architecture and aesthetics of it. Many others to have a moment of reflection, prayer or contemplation. You can light a candle inside. It is open to all denominations. Absolutely beautiful! Volunteers kind-of run the place, one ole boy gave us a ride up the road in an electic buggie.  Felt bad passing all those walking.

Nev said the lady that was standing by her car waiting for her husband literally jumped 6" in the air when I fired up my bike. Then she burst out laughing so at least she had a good sence of humour.

Second place was the overlook by the airport. The airfield is up on top of a messa and the view over Sedona is wide and spectacular. I took a parnorama photo, (good App Paul)!

Third and possible the most important thing was our first visit to a laundromat. Catch on washing, you can only wear your undies and socks for so many days you know. Well it all adds to my bad boy biker image doesn't it. We met Al who runs the place, he was a bit hard of hearing but funny to talk to. He shared her thoughts on the economy and Obama and why the country is going to the dogs, (or the Chinese anyway). He also said that 6 out of 10 cars in California have guns in them! Maybe that's why everybody gives everyone their distance?

View from the Airport Messe - Beautiful red rock of Sedona

Anyway, with lovely smelling clothes that may have a serious effect on my image we retuned to motel and walked up to a bar & grill that had panoramic views of the Sedona rocks, for dinner. Both had nice meals with a nice ale. As it was a lovely evening we walked along the shops which were still open, (quite Parnell-ish, looking in shops and picked up some pressies.
Home to our beds in our unique motel.  The door of our unit opens right on to the main road!

We try up the road into the canyon again tomorrow. Early start required.

Night nite!