Howdy all! Well here is the Second in my vacation series. Me and the hosts went to Sedona on our way to the grand canyon. Now we made quite a few stops along the way and one of the most memorable was the stop at Montezuma's Castle. Which by the way had NOTHING to do with the actual Aztec ruler Montezuma. This castle was actually abandoned almost a century before Montezuma was born. The settlers who discovered it just thought it looked Montezuma-like and so named it. It was home to the Sinagua Indians over 600 years ago. It is sort of a High-rise apartment building. It was only three bucks to go and view it and the accompanying museum. It was mighty fine to see.. This one building is likely to have housed the more important of the villagers. Fancy HUH? Well this isnt where you will be staying...right this way please... 
This building housed the lessers of the community. This is where you will be staying. Set your bags anywhere and get your apron on post haste please. You can see that this building is less ornate so to speak... 
Here is the water source (Beaver Creek)for the community and is said to be much the same as it was when it was in use. Although much lower these days of course. The water was so clean and clear you just wanted to reach in and have a drink, of course this is discouraged by all sorts of metal blocks and stay back signs... 
here is a cross section of life inside the "castle" with various activities on designated floors. sorry it is such a poor picture but I am still learning the wonders of the digital camera and the photo is taken through glass.. On one level corn is ground into meal as needed, weaving and fabric dying is done on yet another level. There is also a storage area and a breakfast nook (just kidding, there is no breakfast nook. I just couldn't resist). 
As we moved on, the Red Rock Mountains where all the rage (for me anyway) 
Okay now Sedona was New Age gone that one extra step into WTF land. I met a woman who will give your pet a psychic reading and she doubles as a pet psychologist. But don't worry, she can take you and your pet at the same time(you know what I mean!). She gave me this glassy-eyed look and asked me if I had a pet so that she might demonstrate her "divine animal services". Back slowly away from the canned ham and make no big arm movements, I repeat NO BIG ARM MOVEMENTS! I was over Sedona after 5 people came up to touch my hair and ask me about rastafarianism (of which I know nothing about first hand...nice). At first I thought it would be a cool place with all the craft supplies but nah, quite the opposite, tres creepy my friends! Well here is a picture of a deer I saw once I wandered off alone..awwwww aint that cute? 
We went to another National Park and forest, 
The last forest had only cactus plants and these prickly looking bushes that did not look inviting in the least.. 
Oh and I almost forgot that the Arizona bats need your help, maybe they should join forces with the Texas bats and the New Mexico bats to form a Bat Trinity and take back the night.... 
I tried to get a picture of a pretty red bird in a tree but it didnt quite work out.. He's in the very center...Sorry. 
The next post will be Grand Canyon related..finally. Until then, how about a poem...here goes...
Believe Me, If All Those Endearing Young Charms
Believe me, if all those endearing young charms,
Which I gaze on so fondly today,
Were to change by tomorrow, and fleet in my arms,
Like fairy-gifts fading away,
Thou wouldst still be adored, as this moment thou art,
Let thy loveliness fade as it will,
And around the dear ruin each wish of my heart
Would entwine itself verdantly still.
It is not while beauty and youth are thine own,
And thy cheeks unprofaned by a tear
That the fervor and faith of a soul can be known,
To which time will but make thee more dear;
No, the heart that has truly loved never forgets,
But as truly loves on to the close,
As the sunflower turns on her god, when he sets,
The same look which she turned when he rose.--Thomas Moore
Goddess Bless
fun
