Highlights of the day:
1. Red Planet Diner
2. Cathedral Rock (& park)
- and the stunning red rock formations of Sedona, more generally
3. Holy Cross Cathedral
- modern A-frame glass-fronted church perched atop two massive boulders
4. Dinner with the Auguste clan (in Phoenix)
Journal:
Wren had a sleepless night and was driven out of the tent by the heat of the 7am sun. Turned out we'd found one of the only patches of prickly-pear-fee ground around. Drove direction Sedona for breakfast and happened upon the Red Planet Diner -- with decor be-fitting Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Stopped by Visitor's Center and the bejeweled volunteer there suggested three scenic (and flat-ish) trails to us, near three different vortices (she noted the heart vortex was situated not far from her house, in a residential neighborhood and hence not much frequented by tourists). Drove up Bodega <check> pass road, looked in on the Enchanted Resort, then back-tracked to Fay Canyon. W&I were going to picnic but we all three ended up napping edgily in the heat, bombarded by insects. Decided to leave for Phoenix; took in the view from Airport Mesa and the Holy Cross Cathedral on the way out of town. Left about 4pm for the 100-odd mile trip to Phoenix. Sedonas red rock 'mountains' gave way to flattish desert plains rimmed by low (coz distant) blue (coz distant) mountains...then to mesas and volcanic-like cone-shaped hills closer to Phoenix. And the classic (S---) cactus made its first appearance (the cacti from Lucky Luc, you know). Arrived at the Downtown Super 8 (Van Buren x 11th Str) about 6.30pm. W decided she was too exhausted to go out again, and Imi decided to stay in with her, so went on my own to the Auguste extended family dinner at an Italian in Scottsdale. Anita (mom) & Sophie (sis) welcomed me; was intro'd to the hubby's and kids around the table; Ronald & Joseph & Maurice/Morris -- the 3 brothers; sat next to Chris, B's highschool friend; and Byron arrived after picking up Juliette and Nelson from the airport. They're off to the Grand Canyon tomorrow. 'Home' about 11pm after following Chris most of the way on his motorbike, W&I just turning off the lights. They'd ordered in Domino's and watched T----- epsiodes.
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