Montezuma Well

November 23 (Thursday)

First thing today we moved the trailer to a different campsite. Our previous site was a 'buddy' site which is designed for two camping units to park 'door to door'. This double site was previously booked for a family weekend so we moved to a pull through single site. It didn't matter to us as the new site had a bit more shade and privacy. For our trouble the Manager gave us a free night.

This was Thanksgiving Day in the US. We knew the roads would be busy, but also that many stores would be closed including some of the tourist sites. We took a gravel road north out of Camp Verde (Road 618) that ended at the V bar V Petroglyph site. Unfortunately the site is closed on Thursdays (not just because it was Thanksgiving, but every Thursday). It was a nice drive though, and we will go back another day.

We weren't too far from the Montezuma Well National Monument so we went there. Yes, they were open but only until 3PM. A couple of very nice volunteer interpreters gave tourists the lowdown on the site.

Sacred Mountain. It looks like an overturned boat. There are Sinaguan ruins on the top.

Now this is a boondocking site!

The 'well' is about 50 feet deep, then a layer of sand and sediment of another 40 or 50 feet, then the rock fissures of unknown depth to the water source. The outlet is through more rock fissures that exit into the valley. The ancient people built a canal to harness the outflow to water their crops. More modern farmers also used the canal for their own irrigation purposes.

How do these trees grow from the rocks!

Male American Wigeon

American Wigeons

Outflow from the well disappears in cracks in the rocks.

The 'Well'

Canal of the outflow water. Note Beaver creek on the far left. Two sources of water for the valley.

The exit out of the rocks and into the canal.

Beaver Creek

A very interesting site. Of course there are cliff dwellings here as well.

Sacred Mountain in the distance. Apparently there is a large site of ancient dwellings on top of this mountain.

A very interesting tree. The Arizona Sycamore. The bark looks like camouflage. Huge beautiful trees!

We drove back through the small town of Rimrock and had a look at some of the residential homes there, then headed across I17 toward the town of Cornville. Unfortunately nearly all businesses were closed for the Holiday and we decided to head back to Camp Verde via Cottonwood.

Another gorgeous sunset….. Our View From Here

One rough road, and some smooth stones

November 22 (Wednesday)

Today is the day before Thanksgiving here in the US. The crowds are getting bigger and touring around areas unfamiliar to us means having to concentrate on the roads a bit more than usual. So we thought we might try some roads that might be less travelled.

We drove north up I17 to Schnebly Road. The road joins I17 and the town of Sedona. I suppose our first clue was the sign at the beginning of the road that stated 'High clearance vehicles only'. Well, I do have a one ton four wheel drive diesel truck, so I should be ok, right? The road is twelve miles long………it took us two and a half hours! Rough does not begin to describe the rock laden, boulder strewn, goat trail carved out of the Arizona wilderness that they have the nerve to call a ROAD! My upper and lower teeth fillings traded places a few times. I'm sure I saw a warning message on the truck dash flashing 'WTF dude!' a couple of times. Likewise, the warning signals from my bladder made me regret having that cup of coffee before we started down this 'road'! Anyway, we did make it down the hill. Marvelous scenery, at least Cheryl said it was. I was too busy trying to keep the wheels turning and the truck on the road and away from the several hundred foot drop off the edge of said road. We did stop a few times at viewpoints and the scenery is definitely amazing.

The road wasn't that bad at this point.

What a view!

Sedona is way down there.

Road getting worse!

Yes, that is a manhole cover. Some sort of drainage system.

Marigold Rock

Desert pinstriping

Yes, I may have hit a few rocks.

There is a rock called Marigold Rock that apparently has been the site of a number of weddings on top of it. I assume the bride is lowered by helicopter in her dress. Grandpa and Grandma must watch with a telescope from the comfort of their hotel room in Sedona. Dunno!

Marigold Rock. Yep, those are people up there.

Schnebly Road is named after a Mr Schnebly, who in 1902 applied for a Post Office. They asked the name of his 'town' and he used the first name of his wife……'Sedona'.

After the decent from Schnebly Road we decided to take a much calmer road north from Sedona up Hwy 89 to Slide Rock State Park. We enjoyed lunch in the shade (it was about 80 F / 27 C), then walked along the upper rim of the River. I also went down to river level to get some photos. The area is popular with swimmers. The fun is sliding down the slippery rocks in the river. Must be packed here in hot weather.

Great swimming area

A great spot for photos!

The stones are becoming part of the tree. Awesome!

A great family spot.

This area was initially settled and farmed as an orchard. Red Delicious apples seemed to handle the environment best. A number of historic farm machinery is on display.

Used as a tourist cabin in the 1930's

Tourist cabin

Pendley House being refurbished

Apple shed

Orchard fenders (or aerodynamic for speed!)

Must turn pretty well.

We called it a day and headed back through Sedona and home to Camp Verde. So many people around for the Thanksgiving weekend. Even our campground is full.

That was Our View From Here......