Sedona

As much as I may not like the state of Arizona, I have to admit that it has some of the most beautiful places on earth.

We've been lucky enough to visit the Grand Canyon two years ago, a trip that I will never forget, for many reasons.

This weekend, we headed to the beautiful area of Sedona.  I'm sure you've heard about it, everyone seems to know about the red rocks that make this city one of the most known on Earth.

We're just a short drive away, and we've been here for 5 years but have never made it out there, so yesterday as a sort of late birthday present for me, we headed out there to spend the day.

Our first stop was at the Visitor Center....and this is the first view of the rocks

It was Smokie's Birthday, so the kids got to take a picture with this well known bear :)

Now is where I tell you that, if you re military or know a military family, please be sure to let them know that they can get park annual passes for free. They are good for most major parks in the USA. We didn't even know until we got there, but we now have a free one which is going to come in handy :)

Driving up to the creek....notice how red the dirt is too?

Such a peaceful setting

Nice cold water, so we had to get our feet in there.....we're starved for water around here LOL

Just how hot is it in Arizona?

We decided to do a little trail. BIG BIG BIG mistake. Folks, it's hot out there, like really hot as you can see above, and I honestly thought I was going to have a conniption of sorts. I wanted to cry at one point LOL

It's just absolutely stunning out there

Holy Church on the rock....

Thankfully big dark storm clouds started moving in

This was taken from Airport Road, great view of the city

I could have taken pictures all day long, every mountain was just as beautiful as the next

We ended the trip at Tlaquepaque, a huge shopping/dining area that is built in the image of a Mexican Villa. It is STUNNING inside, oh my word, I could have stayed in there forever.

If you're ever in the area, you HAVE to visit this place, you just have to :)

I'm ending with this picture because Curt and I thought it was so neat how all the stores, had these red bowls of water outside for people's pets :)