Happy Hiking: Big Park to Bell Rock Path Loop

The Vortexes

Sedona, Arizona is known for its healing earth vortexes.  Yes, they say vortexes, not vortices.  Anyway, a vortex is believed to be a special spot on earth where energy is entering it or exiting it.  Sedona has four vortexes, one of which is Bell Rock.

As a result, Bell Rock, located just north of the Village of Oak Creek, is an extremely popular hiking destination and easily reachable off scenic Highway 179.  With spring break in full swing for many states and the popularity of Bell Rock, I arrived to the large, paved parking lot by 7:15am on a weekday.  Fortunately, I had a prime selection of spots with only a few cars in the parking lot.

HAPPY HIKING!
indian ruins at montezuma well

Montezuma Well National Monument

I found a hike on AllTrails to Montezuma Well.  It was just a short 0.7 mile loop with an offshoot.  Since the forecast called for rain, I thought it would be a nice outing for Annie and me to stretch our legs before the approaching bad weather. 

With the paved trails and information boards, I felt like Montezuma Well was more like a preserved monument than a hike.  The well is a National Monument that is operated by the National Parks Service, and it is free to visit.

LEARN MORE
grand canyon's south rim

Day 170 – Grand Canyon Loop – Part 2

Day 170 of Year Long Road Trip Along America’s Scenic Byways

Planning a Scenic Drive at the Grand Canyon’s South Rim

I’m not even sure how to start this blog about the Grand Canyon’s South Rim.  When I originally plotted my course around the USA, I simply glanced at the number of stops and miles on each scenic drive in my Reader’s Digest book.  For every four stops or 100 scenic miles on average, I allotted one day.  After reviewing the plan the night before I depart, I mentally determine general stopping points.  Factors that go into my decision making are interesting locations, shower and food needs, and cell service availability.  With this in mind, I adjust my tour accordingly.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN!

Day 129 – Another Lazy Day in Carefree

Day 129 of Year Long Road Trip Along America’s Scenic Byways

Carefree, Arizona

Another lazy day in Carefree is just what I needed.  We went to breakfast at Fluff’s favorite coffee shop.  It was rather crowded for a late morning on a work day.  The shop had an inside and outside counter with barstools, an outside patio, a few lounge chairs and a few inside tables.  It also had four beers on draught because a few nights a week they have live music.

We chose coffee and a breakfast sandwich this morning and ate at the outside counter so Petey could hang out with us.  As we chatted about where I was headed next, Fluff informed me a section of Hwy 1 in California had washed into the ocean!  I didn’t know that.  I will have to do a little more rerouting of my trip.  Before we left, a biker came in with his cat on a leash (I’m glad Petey was outside).  That’s the second cat on a leash that I’ve seen on my journey so far.  The other was at a campground in West Texas.

places in carefree

On the way back to the house, we made a quick stop at the resort to take a peek at the main room and dining room.  Fluff said, “You’ve hardly seen anything since you’ve been here, and your mom is going to ask, did you see this?  What about this?”  It was fine with me to “not see much”, though I felt like I saw quite a bit.

Besides how many people can say they’ve seen a baby hummingbird in its nest?  In addition, I planned for more down days on this leg of my journey just to rest and address odds and ends that come up.  And, anyone that knows Fluff and Charlie, knows it’s just plain FUN to sit and chat with them.

places in carefree

VANilla

We lounged around the house waiting on VANilla.  The mechanic in Scottsdale was supposed to have it ready by noon. Unfortunately, they ordered the wrong parts.  So with that, we decided to do a bit more wandering as VANilla wouldn’t be in tip top shape until late afternoon.

The Sundial

We strolled around the shops and restaurants in Carefree and stopped at the Sundial, the largest in the USA.  Judging from the shadow created by the Sundial, it was around 2 o’clock.  Also, I picked up a nano geocache hidden in the area.  Hidden in plain sight, it blended in quite well.  As we headed to Big Earl’s for a milkshake, I got the call…VANilla was anxiously waiting to continue our journey.

places in carefree

On the Way to Indio

By the time I got VANilla back to the house, packed up, and water tank filled, it was rush hour, so we waited until six before going west to Indio, California.  A lovely sunset unfolded as we left the outskirts of Phoenix, so I decided it was a good time to fill VANilla up with gas and snap a picture.  Soon thereafter, we drove in the dark crossing through Quartzsite, a town that caters to snowbirds, and Blythe, a place I was told to stay below the speed limit.  The exits on I-10 were few and far between for the next few hours.  It was a good time to insert the CD full of songs that Fluff provided me.  I imagine a few songs of the day will come from here.  ETB

places in carefree

PS.  Fluff and Charlie, thank you for a wonderful visit!

Map of My Road Trip Across the USA

For a summary about my road trip across the USA, click HERE. For the interactive map, see the below link.

map of road trip along scenic byways across the USA
Interactive Link to Map

Other Articles About Arizona You May Like

Day 123 – Arizona Indian Country
Day 124 – Grand Canyon Loop
Lower Antelope Canyon Tour
Day 125 – Call of the Canyon in Red Rock Country
Day 126 – Red Rock Country – Part 2
Day 127 – Red Rock Country – Part 3
The Grand Canyon’s North Rim
Day 170 – Grand Canyon Loop – Part 2
Day 128 – A Day in Carefree

Shop

Check out the photographic note cards and key chains at my shop.  Each card has a travel story associated with it.  20% of proceeds are donated to charity.

 
photographic note card, yosemite falls
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carefree

Day 128 – A Day in Carefree

Day 128 of Year Long Road Trip Along America’s Scenic Byways

Carefree

Petey and I spent a relaxing day in Carefree, AZ.  This morning we took a walk with Fluff, a long-time family friend, around The Boulders stopping to admire the blooming cacti, bunny rabbits, and quail.  The morning sun combined with a cool breeze presented a perfect temperature.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN!
cottonwood

Day 126 – Red Rock Country Part 2

Day 126 of Year Long Road Trip Along America’s Scenic Byways

Tuzigoot National Monument

Once we found the local Starbucks, tucked away in the Safeway, we drove four miles to Tuzigoot National Monument located just north of Cottonwood.  Tuzigoot, Apache for crooked water, is the remnant of a Southern Sinagua Village that was built in the 1100s.  The original pueblo of 77 ground floor rooms was two stories and sat upon a ridge above the Verde Valley.  The village was home to approximately 50 people for 100 years.  In the 1200s, the population doubled and then doubled again as farmers fled drought and settled here.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN!
sedona

Day 125 – Call of the Canyon in Red Rock Country

Day 125 of Year Long Road Trip Along America’s Scenic Byways

Call of the Canyon Day Use Area

Today Petey and I started our Red Rock Country scenic drive toward Sedona.  We simply drove one mile south to Call of the Canyon Day Use Area and took a five mile hike on West Fork Trail.  Less than a quarter mile into Oak Creek Canyon are the ruins of the Mayhew Lodge constructed in the late 1800’s.  The oldest structure was built by “Bear” Howard, who earned his nickname by killing four bears armed with only a knife.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN!
cactus on the coronado trail

Day 112 – Arizona’s Coronado Trail

Day 112 of a Year Long Road Trip Along America’s Scenic Byways
Sidelined from Road Trip

I’m back to blogging, even if it is only for a few days right now while I’m on the Coronado Trail. I flew home a week ago Sunday upon receiving text from my sister saying my dad was in the ICU. He has Leukemia, as well as several related and unrelated complications.  As a result, he almost bled to death from his colon. Fortunately, the doctors were able to stop the bleeding through a catheter embolization as he was too weak to survive surgery.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN!
apache trail

Day 111 – Arizona’s Apache Trail Part 2

Day 111 of a Year Long Road Trip Along America’s Scenic Byways

The Apache and Coronado Trails

Petey and I awoke this morning to sporadic sprinkles on the Apache Trail.  We hit the road early as the weather forecast called for rain all day near Phoenix and snow on Sunday on the Coronado Trail which was my next scenic drive.  The Coronado Trail is sometimes closed from Alpine to Morenci, thus given the weather, I sped up my travels a bit to visit at least half the trail today.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN!

Day 110 – Arizona’s Apache Trail

Day 110 of a Year Long Road Trip Along America’s Scenic Byways

Petey tried his hardest to meet Emma and Chance, Diane and Mike’s two cats, before we left for Arizona’s Apache Trail.  Fortunately for their sake they were too elusive for him, especially on the tile floors.  I’d be horrified if Emma and Chance, rescued from Mexico, met an early demise at Petey’s jaws.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN!