Sedona

The trip to Sedona from Scottsdale is interesting. During the ride, you can't help but be amazed at the Saguaro Cactus. They are everywhere! As we head up the mountain, they disappear from the countryside and are replaced by much smaller cacti and cows grazing on the hilly terrain.

We travel on the plateau for miles. As we descend into the Verde Valley, the landscape changes to deciduous trees with mistletoe. I ask for everyone's one word description of Arizona:

• Mike - treeless
• Kenny - dry
• Cindy - cactus
• Susan - brown

Brown is my word. Everything is brown! The landscape, houses, even the trees are greenish brown.

We leave Interstate 17 and take 179 North to Sedona. We immediately see the red hills in the distance. The altitude is 4000 feet and we pass by an icy stream. And I was thinking it would be warm! At Sedona, the altitude is 4500 feet. We stop just below Bell Mountain to take a look at the view. There is a t-shirt stand at the stop. "Just tell me what size!" says the vendor.

The town in Sedona is a typical tourist town full of restaurants and shops. We check out the Doggie Bakery and buy some treats for Bella. Lunch is at the Cowboy Club. The food is good with the highlight being cactus fries. The fries are made from the prickly pear cactus. The cactus is peeled, sliced into strips and marinated in a vinegar mixture. The strips are battered and flash fried. They are served hot with a wonderful sweet and sour sauce made from the prickly pear fruit. What a wonderful regional treat!