Our second stop was Sedona, Arizona. Sedona is just a mere 2 hour drive from Phoenix but it would take a lot more driving to escape the heat that we were ushered into at Phoenix.
Sedona is regarded for its heavy presence of red stone within its sediment, making it a great location to visit. It plays home to a moderately sized town with its main street full of roundabouts.
Our first stop within Sedona was the Chapel of the Holy Cross, which is a small Roman Catholic church built into the red stone of a nearby outcropping. The Church was originally supposed to be built in Budapest with the help of Frank Lloyd Wright's son, Lloyd, but due to World War 2, the architect decided to build it in her home region of Sedona.
While in Sedona we took a Pink Jeep tour of the ancient ruins of Indian dwellings. The ruins were constructed along the base of towering ridge of rust colored mountains. The brick lined buildings were propped up beneath an outcrop of the mountain ridge as they helped provide stability to the structures. The ceilings of the compound were only 5 or so feet because the average tribesman ranged from 4-5 feet in height.
It is believed the ridge of mountains that the people chose was actually a trading route because you can find an assortment of other communities up and down the mountains.
I have included some photos of the ruins and some pictographs that remain on its walls.
We were able to see the sunset from atop a rise and eventually journeyed back there for some stargazing and night photography. Even though we had city lights nestled all around us, we were able to see more stars than we ever could have in Ohio. I would eventually see more and more stars with each progressive stop on the trip but I was blown away vast amount of natural light in the size.
This song gave a "road trip" vibe to me with the "War on Drugs" reminding me of Bruce and Bob Dylan combined. The song also reminded me of the stone that we saw in Sedona as if the rock itself had been scorched to a red color.
(Above & Below): The Chapel of the Holy Cross: carved into the red rock of Sedona.
(Above & Below): The inside of the Chapel of the Holy Cross.
(Above): On our way to the Ancient Ruins via Pink Jeep.
(Above): These plants only blossom once in a lifetime and its eerie to see one at the peek of its life next to one at the end of its own. Apply metaphor here.
(Above): What is left of the ruins of a Native American settlement.
(Above): A waxing moon cliffside.
(Above): Can you spot the face?
(Above): A Native American drawing of a figure holding up an object that is suspected to be a plant that gave them nourishment or materials.
(Above): The sun still shines past its setting.
(Above): The city lights of Sedona snaking along the valley.
(Above): It was moments like these when time stood still and found out how beautiful the world really is.
(Above): Yea, I'm an intramural champ. It's mostly in water sports though.
(Above & Below): The bridge out of Sedona.
(Above): We saw lots of ravens during the trip and this one flew right overhead providing for one of my favorite shots ever.