Arizona Dreaming

I was in Arizona briefly this month, and had forgotten how much I love that country, its red hills dotted with saguaros and sage already starting to bloom.

The occasion was my Aunt Bonnie’s 80th birthday, and we had a blast! I met some of her friends and got reacquainted with my cousin Suzy and her husband James, who were visiting from Florida.

Except for the fun birthday party and a few hours comparing family genealogy notes, we spent almost every minute sightseeing in the Sedona area of north-central Arizona.

Long ago, I lived in the southern part of the state, so this was a first-time treat.

One stop, seen in the photo, was the Montezuma Castle National Monument. This 20-room, five-story cliff dwelling dates from the 1100s. The walking trail and pleasant little interpretive center made for such a nice experience. I’m always glad to see these special places protected.

I thought again longingly about Arizona when I saw this week’s blog from the U.S. Interior Department – 13 Things You Didn’t Know about Grand Canyon National Park. The breathtaking photos put mine to shame! It’s definitely worth a look.

We didn’t have time to hit the Grand Canyon, but it’s on my bucket list. Next visit, for sure!