I don't think we're in Kansas anymore

Sedona AZ

I've said it before, I'll say it again several more time: this trip has taken us places that I really didn't think existed except in the minds of people who like to exaggerate. Sedona is one of those places. 
During the planning of this trip, several people had said; "You GOTTA see Sedona". (People have also said "you GOTTA see Flint" too, so tend to be skeptical when folks say 'I GOTTA see or do anything).
Sedona ended up being one of those places that you GOTTA go see! Clearly, one of the most beautiful places on Earth, both geographically and socially. People here were actually nice. And the scenery is unmatched, anywhere in this country, (so far). It's a bold statement, but for now, I stand behind it. 
Sedona AZ always came up in conversations about great places to retire to. It's the main reason I had Galveston, Lake Havasu and Sedona on the itinerary. It's not that we could move to any of these places, but I needed to see the appeal. We have not been disappointed so far. As I write this blog, we are in Monterrey CA. Just got here last night and we have a couple of sightseeing days ahead of us.  
Since the original site I picked for our stop in Sedona could not fit our rig, (I love it when they say 'It's TOO big!), we redirected to Distant Drums Campground. As noted by the name, it was a CG connected to an Indian Casino, named appropriately Distant Drums. This could possibly be the nicest Indian Casino CG you can go to. All the sites were concrete, perfectly level, with every amenity you could need. Not much grass, but even the stones around your site were raked to make them appear neat every night. Never seen that before. The place was loaded with $1M motorhomes and high end fifth wheelers, as well a few entry level travel trailers. Great place to stay.

Distant Drums Campground. Great Place

Yes. They rake the rocks at night.......

Montezuma's Castle National Monument

Not on our original itinerary, but as mentioned in an earlier post, we are stopping at as many National Parks, Monuments and Sites as we can get to. This was a site we saw on our way to Sedona, so we added it to the list.
MCNM is small in comparison to most National Monuments. In fact, it was a 'walking' park, but it was so small, Gma and I could handle it.  Montezuma's Castle is a series of preserved cliff dwellings and exhibits showing how the people lived in the past. It was a worthwhile addition to the trip!

Yep. Our new apartment. Right up there....

That's the Interior Decorator getting it ready for us.

Chillin' like a Villian'

Red Rock State Park

We had no 'state parks' on our list. When you mention 'state parks' you think of recreational facilities, boat ramps, camping, etc. Red Rock State Park is none of the above. The fact that this facility accepts the National Park Intersystem Pass speaks volumes as to what it's official designation should be. This one Park epitomizes the Sedona area. It's beauty is breathtaking. I took so many pictures at this one park that my camera literally broke down. We had to finish the day with the cameras on our phones. (No, the battery didn't die, the camera BROKE). This area has a road thats listed every year as Autoweeks 'Ten Best Roads in America'. (More on that in a bit).
Like any great 'attraction', RRSP doesn't hit you all at once. The scenery starts slow, and builds to a crescendo of breathtaking beauty that, literally, has to be seen to be believed. Like the Grand Canyon, pictures do not tell the whole story. 
One of the things we have seen out here is that there are private homes in some of the parks out here. The homes in RRSP are special as well. 
One of the best sites during our day was the "Chapel Of The Holy Cross". Built on the site of a mountain in 1954, it rates right up there as one of the 'Must Sees'. 
I mentioned earlier of the 'Ten Best Roads In America'. Like so many 'Ten Best' lists, this is always open for discussion. But Autoweek is an enthusiasts magazine that like to appeal to automotive fantasies. This list includes places like Woodward Ave. (been there), Mulholland Dr. in SoCal. (Been there). The Causeway to Key West, (Been there). Route 66. (Finally got there!)
But there is a road in Arizona, right near Sedona called 179. The stretch between Rte. 89 and US17 is unbelievable. This road has made this list before. I never gave it much thought, because I never thought I'd get out here. But we have, and I got to enjoy the thrill of driving this stretch of road on a beautiful day. (It would have been more fun in my Corvette, (oh wait, I don't have a Corvette. But you get the idea).  
After a long day of sightseeing, we headed back to the town of Sedona and ate at a local restaurant named "The Barking Frog". It was just a delightful as the rest of the day. 

As you hopefully can imagine, there are hundreds of details I am leaving out. To y'all, they might become boring. We are taking in sights and places we have dreamed about for forty years. I literally have taken hundreds of photos each day we go sightseeing. The photos I post here are but a minute sample of what we have seen at each of these spots. (I have over 200 of the PIMA air museum alone). But, to this point of the trip, Sedona has been a real highlight!

THEN THE CAMERA BROKE.

Will add more when I get them edited from phone format.

For those of you reading this post, please do not be afraid to leave a comment. I can see the count of how many people visit the blog, but I have no idea who's visiting. Please let me know what you think of this blog in the comment section. And don't forget that I am a very sensitive guy.

Will do another post later today, as today is a 'work day'!
See ya soon
Bump