Sedona - the view from Schnebly Road.

Claudia and Tuck - Buffalo Park in Flagstaff, AZ. This park was once a for-profit “wilderness park”, where you could go see buffalo and other protected animals. Thankfully, it closed and the city of Flagstaff turned it into an awesome place to hike, mountain bike and hang out.

Beautiful Sedona….one of the amazing views going up Schnebly Road…which is not really a road, but a 4 wheel drive rocky “path”. It was difficult to drive it, even in our big 4WD Ram.

Taking a quick break…going up Airport Road in Sedona, AZ. The airport was a busy place…fire crews loading helicopters with fire retardant in anticipation of an upcoming thunder storm…which brings lightning and fires. The storm missed Sedona, but fires are burning in other parts of the state. The area is in a drought condition…there has been no rain for about 6 months.

The Verde Mountains off in the distance. They surround the area where we live.

The main entrance to Tonto Verde…where we live. These threatening storm clouds lasted about 30 minutes. And then….poof…gone.

Looking across one of the fairways at the Verde mountains.

Looking over at our neighbor’s house. She’s gone for the Summer.

The Rio Verde golf course with the Verde Mountains in the background. Even if you’re a crappy golfer, the view is worth it.

The Verde mountains in the distance, with typical desert bushes in the foreground. These are native plants and aren’t watered. They have had no rain in nearly 8 months. And yet…here they are. Amazing.

The entrance to Rio Verde…the subdivision right beside ours. We like Rio Verde a lot.

This is a picture of one of the tees on the golf course with the Verde mountains in the background. I don’t play golf (yet), but the course is so beautiful, I might have to take it up after my back surgery.

A corner shot of the home we’re renting.

One of the views from our patio.

A view of one of the streets in our neighborhood. Lots of color!

A view of one of the fairways. Notice the storm clouds in the distance. The clouds really made the light soft…and they were gone in an hour.

A view across the street from our house. Who said Arizona isn’t green?

The Rio Verde Community Center. It has a pool, a gym, meeting rooms, etc. Nice people…everyone waves and says hello.

This is a small "Argentine Giant" cactus in our side yard. The flowers come out at night and fold back up when the sun hits them in early morning. The blooms are about 8" across and have a great fragrance.

This is the lake before the fountain starts. The mountains in the background ring the city. Sorry, I have no idea what they are called. We're newbies. Stay tuned.

This is the fountain in the middle of the Fountain Lakes downtown park. It runs every hour on the hour for 15 minutes. The height varies, but the highest it goes is 560'. It not only looks great, but it functions as a great "mister" and cools off the surrounding area about 10 degrees when its running.

Here's a shot of some really cool condos that are one side of the lake. Santa Fe style....also called "territorial style" out here. No matter what it's called, they look great.

Area residents donate really cool original brass sculptures and have them mounted around the lake. A really nice touch and an awesome way to remember a loved one.

More original bronze sculpture on the lake. Remember Carrie Fisher's hair style in the first Star Wars (Princess Leia)? This is a really funny adaptation of that. I don't know who these artists are, but I love their sense of creativity and fun.

This a huge saguaro cactus that sits beside our patio. Our neighbor said this particular cactus is at least 150 years old....sort of puts things in perspective doesn't it? We're here and gone and nature just keeps on going.

The Snider wagon train pulls off the road for a much needed rest stop. The length of Penske truck and the car carrier together was nearly 60'...which wasn't too bad going down the road straight, but turning into motel parking lots was a huge pain the ass. But, thanks to Claudia, my faithful navigator, we made it.

HA! Our rig was as long as a semi-trailer. The big rigs have way better seats in their cabs and beds behind the driver for a quick nap. Nap...who needs a nap? Me.

Look familiar? Reminds me of the trip from Florida to California...except that trip took nine days and this one took only two.

Death Valley dunes...early morning. Who said sand isn't beautiful?

Death Valley....another early morning shot from Dante's Peak. Yashica T4.

Sedona in late afternoon. Taken with a Yashica T4.

Sedona late afternoon

The red rocks of Sedona. They look even better in person.

One of the entrances to the park.

Some of the amazing rock formations in Death Valley.

Our tour guide, Tuck....observing the visitors heading to Dante's Peak.

The walk out to the middle of the salt flats. This gives a good perspective of how vast this place is.

Death Valley...a view of Badwater Basin from Dante's Peak.

My trusty navigator Claudia...and Tuck, the world's best back seat passenger!

Heading up Schnebly Road…beautiful views in every direction.

Claudia and Tuck in Buffalo Park, Flagstaff, AZ. Tuck loved it…lots of great sticks to chew. But also lots of small briars and cactus…which he stepped on right after I took this picture.