Sedona_Grand Canyon

Montezuma Castle National Monument is pretty cool, but not spectacular.  It is worth going to once and it is just off the freeway on the drive from Phoenix to Sedona.

Sky Ranch Lodge sits on a hilltop overlooking Sedona.  Popular wedding venue with views of the red rock formations for miles.

The Hudson is located in the Hillside Shopping Center just outside downtown Sedona.   We sat at the bar (long wait for a table) and enjoyed a variety of Bruchetta, a unique specialty of the Hudson, and a salad.  The menu features a large variety of appetizers and salads, as well as sandwiches, seafood, and steaks.  

The Toasted Owl Cafe ls one of our favorite funky breakfast/lunch spots, colorful and adored with owl decorations.   Breakfast burrito enchilada style with green chile sauce is excellent and abundant.  Try the homemade Cinnamon Rolls.

Mather Point is the famous lookout spot you see in movies, it is where you can see the full vastness and grandeur of the Grand Canyon.  However, I could not find the Colorado River to gain perspective of the full depth of the canyon.   Hiking to Plateau Point is in order.

Bright Angel Trail weaves down the Grand Canyon.  There is a rest area at the 1.5, 3, and 4.5 mile mark.  4.5 miles down lies the Havasupai Gardens.  From there, it's about 1.5 miles of fairly level ground out to Plateau Point with views of the Colorado river 1300 feet below.  NOTE:  we did this hike in 6 hours, 2.5M to Plateau Point, 3.5M back up with several stop sit rests.  

Plateau Point is a 1.5M level ground hike back and forth from Havasupai Gardens.  The level ground is a relief however you are in the blazing sun.   It was only 70 degrees up top but over 95 degrees at Plateau Point.  Recommendation:  Start your hike early, like 6:00am.

Devil's Bridge is the famous photo op spot.  Not as scary as the pictures look.  We had a long line of people waiting for pictures so we did not get on the bridge.   The hike itself is fantastic, gets a bit step and awkward near the bridge, but that's the fun part.

Soldier Pass Trail has three highlights and two are a very short distance on level ground, the Devil's Kitchen Sinkhole and the Seven Sacred Pools (very odd pools of water high up in the dry red rock).   From there, the hike is partially shaded and a bit challenging as you climb up to Soldiers Pass Cave. 

Pink Jeep Tours, we did the most popular, the Broken Arrow named after a Jimmy Stewart movie from .  Really appreciated the stories of how the rock  were formed by volcano, water and wind over millions of years.  Great way to take in the scenery from different angles and elevations.  

The Coffee Pot has 101 omelletts but I had the Huevos Rancheros.  Really good as was the coffee.  Generous portions with a lean toward mexican.  Next time will get lunch there.