Yetti’s Pacific North West Exploration & Expeditions Picture heavy

[luthj]

There are a couple of crested saguaros in the National Forest east of Catalina AZ. One has a seasonal eagle or Great Horned Owl nest in it. They are pretty rare though.

 

[Pacific Northwest yetti]

Luthj, Gnel: I was not aware of how rare they are, it was pretty cool! Being in a group it was harder to read all the signs like I usually would.


"Arcosanti is a projected experimental town with a molten bronze bell casting business in Yavapai County, central Arizona, United States, 70 mi (110 km) north of Phoenix, at an elevation of 3,732 feet (1,138 m). Its arcology concept was proposed by the Italian-American architect Paolo Soleri (1919–2013). He began construction in 1970, to demonstrate how urban conditions could be improved while minimizing the destructive impact on the Earth. He taught and influenced generations of architects and urban designers who studied and worked with him there to build the proposed town"
" Wikipedia






The next stop on the way to Sedona was Montezuma's castle.

 

[Pacific Northwest yetti]

https://www.nps.gov/moca/index.htm

” Established December 8, 1906, Montezuma Castle is the third National Monument dedicated to preserving Native American culture. This 20 room high-rise apartment, nestled into a towering limestone cliff, tells a story of ingenuity, survival and ultimately, prosperity in an unforgiving desert landscape.”



Montezuma’s Castle has been on my list for a long time, it was packed. Which does not surprise me. I also took the time to renew my America the Beautiful pass, as it expired in Dec.

It was cool to see, however expected we would not be able to explore it, but the trail (flat, ADA friendly, dog friendly, concrete and wide). All except the ground level was blocked off, probably due to needed maint from the shutdown. I also failed to get many good pictures of the signage.









Its still cool though, and the visitor center was elbow/standing room only. So did not check it out much. * still glad they were open. And greatly appreciate the interp, and LEO rangers.

 

[Pacific Northwest yetti]

It was 2 or so by now, so we hit the road and kept on the way to Sedona. Making it early afternoon and checking in to our hotel. It did take 30 mins to get into Sedona, as the traffic on the way in was at a standstill, which is apparently a normal thing?

After a nap and reset it was time for dinner. It took some calling around as no shortage of the nicer restaurants had 3 day wait times,


These, and of the course the "pink " safari type jeeps are everywhere.




Art worth more than my truck, may as well have some fun








I am not big into fancy dinners, but every now and again.

 

[Pacific Northwest yetti]

Sedona is beautiful, and so much of the south west is. After dinner and way too much food it was time to call it for the night.

The next day we did a short hike, prior to needing to return to Mesa, and my evening flight back home.

 

[Pacific Northwest yetti]

After the hike, and a few more hours exploring Sedona we started the drive back, and toward the reality of everyone having flights to take us all back home once we returned to PHX.



That wraps up the Thanksgiving Az trip.

 

[AbleGuy]

It was good to see you taking advantage of the sunny and warm weather and enjoying some of the things Arizona has to offer.

You left a lot on the table for your next trip.

A few quick suggestions/ideas for your next Arizona tour:

In the Flagstaff area, I’ll try driving around the San Francisco peaks and maybe up to like it middle on the backside. There’s some awesome scenery back there and of course by the time you’re out on that part of the Mountain, you’re pretty close to sunset crater national monument and the Wupatki National Monument Indian ruins.

Walnut canyon, right outside of Flagstaff is another place to take a nice hike and see some Indian ruins up close.

And then down in Tucson of course you have the Pima air museum which is a fantastic place to walk around and up close to a huge variety of old retired military aircraft.

There is so much more…

Hopefully you will find the opportunity to come back to Arizona again and spend some more time here with friends and family.

 

[luthj]

Indeed, if you need suggestions on Southern and Western Az feel encouraged to reach out (I am local to Tucson greater metro).

 

[Pacific Northwest yetti]

AbleGuy & luthj


Thank you for your contributions and following along with my ramblings.

I added Sunset Crater, Wupatki National Monument Indian ruins,

Pima is already on my list, and Walnut canyon I spent time in on a rare day “off” during my FEMA contracts there.

I would love nothing more than to spend a month, ( or honestly 6, just exploring the SW) As with many places one could probably spent a lifetime there, and still never see it all. So the recommendations are always good, as they help me to plan/track. As well as when I am in an area, I can open my google maps and easily see them.





If I could do it, an Acella/Bliss box with my Moto on the back and unlimited time in the SW, and well….everywhere would be big on my list.

With any “luck” I will retire early, and prior to that spend at least Novembers exploring the area, or longer if/when my job becomes more remote.

Its always a balancing act, between fitting things in, with enjoyment: or rushing and not really enjoying/relaxing for them. When it was just me and the dog, was simpler yet again. I am now finding more things that require balancing.

 

[luthj]

Indeed, full time travel is a challenge. While the ultimate travel rig is a noble goal. You can get 90% of the functionality for 50% the cost. If it means getting out there more, I am an advocate for that approach. Of course I say that while having an E350 Cab/chassis fitting with a 14ft composite box... So not as much of a compromise there. It's been three years since I was last on the road full time, and my feet are starting to itch something fierce. So until I can hit the road again I need to live vicariously through other folks adventures.

 

[FAW3]

I just want to say that thanks to the many fabulous EP contributors, my maps app has many "pins" that mark locations that I've learned about here on EP. Places I want to visit in the future, mixed among the places I've been to.

You and this thread are included - thanks so much.

This image resembles my maps...with coded pins for locations I want to visit & places I've been. Doing this makes trips much easier to plan.

 

[Pacific Northwest yetti]

Luthj, I agree wholeheartedly. My outfitter is a great camper and placing it on a new truck would work well, when it comes to it. (As the current 04, does not give me the confidence she once did) It will be sometime before I can be on the road full time. I am currently happy with the job, and 4;10’s, it allows me a lot of latitude. Hopefully I will be back to 4-week lump sum of vacation for November trips again.

FAW3, Thank you that means a lot! And is also a big reason I post. Not to mention the ability to go back and reread this thread someday.