Up and away from camp. Sedona itself, the road through it specifically, is one store after another, and chains are well represented. No doubt in Sedona there are commercial areas which don’t remind me of Sunrise Highway. We’ll see! We drove through and ate breakfast at a very popular trailhead. Lots of people was a theme for much of the day.

Village of Oak Creek was less, and more attractive because of it. We rode the Big Park Loop and some of the Bell Rock Path. Fun and with epic scenery that kept us stopping for views. Seriously guys, this area is a knockout. We had a nice break in the shade on a natural bench of red rock created by the monsoons.

Then we left, heading south to another area to camp. What a surprise: Montezuma’s Well is just a quick 4 miles away. The deep crater receives over 1.5 million gallons of water per day and its output creates a swath of lush, deep and rich green in the otherwise endless shades of red, brown and the color green of plants suited to their reality of less water. The ranger was super nice and, upon our inquiry as to whether swimming was permitted, suggested we go to Beaver Creek.

Beaver Creek

Great idea! And capital OMG cold! The gentleman who served as the park’s host was pleasantly friendly, had a wonderful cat we met named Tigger and hummingbirds a-fluttering abounded. Like The Poetess we met on the way to Tulum, he quit his job, moved to nature and regained his health in a less stressful environment.

Why that cold? He explained the creek is fed from snow melt. We actually stayed in the freezing water a while, though not longer than Jumping Girl, who launched herself off the couple foot ledge of red rocks on the far side of the creek countless times.

We ate there too. Some quick food from Prescott as we were pretty tired. Off to camp. Ta da!