The Right Sock...

Distant Drums RV Resort
Camp Verde, AZ
May 3, 2014

Remember these? The SUPERfeet  insoles that Joe and I purchased at the recommendation of the REI sales girl...we both feel they have really helped to solve the problem of tired feet.

At the time we purchased the insoles, I also bought new socks...the Wrightsock. I chose the CoolMesh II which feature a mesh panel for enhanced air flow and cooler feet, the Dri-Wright II performance fibers so your socks don't get sweaty wet, a stabilizer zone in the arch which locks the sock in place, and no blisters...guaranteed! They come in all colors, short or long, and the best part is they are soooo soft! Can you tell I really like them? Downside is that they cost a little more. I have yet to convince Joe to try them. So the next time we go to REI, I will just get him a couple of pairs. His feet will thank me!

 Spring has sprung in Sedona. One of the things that makes this a very special place is the trees. Fat, skinny, tall, short, old, young...wonderful trees! 

West Fork Trail



 Joe and I have never been "outdoorsy" folks. Every summer for vacations, we headed straight for the Gulf of Mexico which was only a 41/2 hour trip from our home. For many years we rented condos, then in 2001 we bought our first RV a tow-behind. It changed our lives! Yes, we still went to the beach. But now our puppy went and we slept on our own sheets.

Sometimes, we come across obstacles. I am just under 5' tall so I usually go under while Joe, at 6'1", goes over. As we approached this tree, I found the most beautiful designs...

The wonders of nature...imagine the many insects crawling this way and that way.

One might think these were intricately carved...

Vultee Arch Trail

So now, after working  73 years between the two of us, we find ourselves traveling and enjoying the great outdoors! Just like the very first RV we bought 13 years ago opened up new adventures, hiking has opened our eyes to so much beauty! On occasion, I do wonder what we would be doing if we had never bought our Terry Lite Tow-Behind. Our other option at the time was to purchase a condo on the beach. Imagine what we would have missed!

Spotted Towhee...often found scratching in the leaves for food. Lucky for me he was perched on a dead tree limb!

There are so many birds with yellow bellies, I couldn't decide for sure what this beauty is...

I don't think anyone had been on the Vultee Arch Trail in awhile. Joe found himself clearing the path more than once...


I almost let myself get spooked. Figured we might be a bear's lunch and no one would ever know! We had the trail all to ourselves going to the arch.

On our way down from the arch, we met Luci and her people parents, Annie and Paul. After a visit with great folks, we moved on. When I looked back, I snapped their photo.

There was a fire here in 2006. But the land seems to be recovering. It was very green!

Happy Sunday! Until next time, take care and...

happy trails!

Who is Schnebly?

Distant Drums RV Resort
Camp Verde, AZ
April 28, 2014

I-17 towards Flagstaff

Last Monday, Joe and I headed out to do a hike off Schnebly Hill Road. We headed out bright and early going north (from Camp Verde) on I-17 towards Flagstaff.  We have done this many times. Today, however, we were talking and drove right by exit  #298 which is Hwy 179 to Sedona.  OOPS! Not to worry though...with map in hand, we kept going. Did you know that exit #320 lands you right on Schnebly Hill Road?
 
Google says that in late 1901, T.C. Schnebly and his wife purchased an 80 acre plot near the location of the present day Tlaquepaque Arts Village and built a home.  Residents of the small settlement complained about the slow and infrequent mail service.


 T.C. filed for an application for the establishment of a post office. Suggested names for the post office were Red Rock Crossing and then Oak Creek Station, but both were turned down by the government because the names were too long to fit on the cancellation stamp. A resident submitted the name of T.C.'s wife, Sedona. Postal officials approved the name Sedona and on June 26, 1902, the post office was in business in back of the Schnebly home.






Between 1876 and 1900, settlers  had a 4 day journey to reach Flagstaff from Sedona. By 1901, a new, rough route was carved out and a $600 contract was awarded to a Civil War veteran to improve the road. The new route reduced the trip from Sedona to Flagstaff from 4 days to 2.

Schnebly first used the road in 1902 to transport lumber from Flagstaff to build his two-story, 11 room home. Once his home was completed, he used the road to transport wagonloads of produce north to Flagstaff and supplies south to his general store in Sedona. Travelers would often stop at his home which he later converted into an inn. Before long, folks associated the road with the Schnebly family and the route was given its present name.

Today, Schnebly Hill Road is an easy but rough and bumpy 4X4 trail. Most folks take a moderate climb up the west face of Schnebly Hill. But our "OOPS!" gave us a different view as we descended almost 2,000 feet.

Sights along the way...

 

 We crossed Foxboro Lake Dam...

 

 and stopped to enjoy the ducks and Canadian Geese.

American Wigeon...thank you Judy! Often seen on marshy ponds in the company of diving ducks. They wait at the surface while other birds dive, then snatch the food away when the birds reappear. The bill is pale blue.

We also spotted a Bluebird.

From start to finish, its about an eleven mile ride. And surprisingly, we only passed about 5 other vehicles.

After a bumpy, awesome ride, we had a great hike...Huckaby Trail is the 5th hike we have completed from our book... Sedona's Top 10 Hikes.



 The trailhead is located just after the pavement ends ( maybe a mile or little more) on Schnebly Hill Road if you enter SHR from Hwy 179. The trail is a 5.6 mile roundtrip hike rated moderate/longer in our book. 

This hike was lots of fun...narrow ledges, zigs and zags,  and up and downs. The great thing about these hikes is you get a good workout, but you hardly realize it. There is something to "WOW!" about around every turn.

It's a hike close to the heart of downtown Sedona, that takes you along the hillside and the creek, and thru evergreens and wilderness.

Our hike ended IN Oak Creek under the Midgley Bridge on 89A North.

It was much nicer walking around downtown Sedona than driving thru it...talk about lots of traffic.

Agave Americana...almost in bloom!

Thanks for stopping by! Until next time...

enjoy!