New Experiences & Old Favorites

This morning started with breakfast at Red's, the restaurant at Sedona Rouge Resort. A brand new spot for us and a good one - not only because of the company. Small but diverse menu and despite the resort name my hiking attire was welcome. (I'll admit it, I was nervous)

We met up with a colleague of Michael's and his wife and spent a couple of hours discussing our mutual love of Sedona before heading off to Baldwin Trail. Jim and his wife visited Sedona together once, fell in love with the place, visited a few times and then jumped right in and bought a house in 2014. They haven't regretted it yet.

The Baldwin Trail is one we hit every time we head this way, and all but 1 we've gone up to Cathedral Rock. That was our very first hike together and it remains our favorite to this day.  We packed a lunch of tuna, pretzels, halos and trail mix that we enjoyed at the top.

See that space between the rocks....that's where we're headed!

You never know who you might run into on the trail.......

Stopped for a selfie

Counting lunch it was about 3 hours out and back for us. 4 miles round trip with a few strenuous spots but the payoff is worth it.

After lunch we drove by the Chapel of the Holy Cross, stopped at our favorite "junk store" - which isn't that - and swung into the Hike House. A must stop for anyone but especially those who haven't been here in the past. Great staff with insider knowledge about the best hikes and trails to hit.

"Uptown" Sedona is probably our favorite hangout. It's mostly chintzy store after chintzy store but the people watching is top notch and souvenir t-shirts are easy to come by. We walk up and down the streets at least once a visit and that was the end.

The best local we've met to date is Zeus. Zeus is 11 years old and has to wear goggles to help with an eye condition. He was awesome.

Dinner and beer at Bar 1902 capped the night and then it was back to the room for a nightcap and a little rest. (FYI: Bar 1902 is actually the bar at Whole Foods) It's amazing the number of people we meet here that have a story similar to Jim and Paula's. The guy behind the counter at Whole Foods that was building Michael's sandwich moved here 4 months ago with his wife from Denver. He said they are completely different - and better - people for making the move. They had visited once prior.

See ya tomorrow!