Sedona to Carlsbad, California

Friday, May 13. 2011

Sedona to Carlsbad, California

The trip to Carlsbad was a day of contrasts and constant fascination with the limitless wonder and variety of this marvelous land of ours. I was reminded of Woody Guthrie’s song:

“As I was walking a ribbon of highway

I saw above me an endless skyway

I saw below me a golden valley

This land was made for you and me

This land is your land, this land is my land

From California, to the New York Island

From the redwood forest, to the gulf stream waters

This land was made for you and me.”

We saw the red rocks of Sedona in contrast to the desert of the Phoenix area and the golden hills of California; temperatures ranged from 58 degrees in the forest to 100 degrees in the desert; we drove from 6000 feet above sea level to 1000 feet and lower.

We passed cities and isolated houses miles from any town; vermillion cliffs and long flat stretches of barren land. We climbed slowly up plateaus and drove for miles on arrow straight roads toward the next plateau. The colors of the landscapes changed from drab brown to brilliant red and dark green.

Our route took us through the center of Sedona ( the traffic circle capitol of the USA)  with a brief stop for shopping where I bought my fifth Tilley hat to replace the one I lost last year; down 89A and 179 to I-17  and on to Phoenix where picked up I-10 toward Palm Springs to I-215 south thence to I-15 to Carlsbad.

It was pleasant to arrive in California with its golden hills – a relief from the desert landscape.

We will stay in Carlsbad until Thursday when we continue north to a campsite at Morro Rock.  Hot showers and family for several days!

The road into Oak Creek Canyon, Sedona - very steep and twisty.  nnThe Red Rocks of Sedona

Main street Sedona - Traffic Circle City

More red rocks

Passing through Phoenix

Contrasts- snow capped mountains and the desert

Palm Springs, California

The golden hills of California

and the California Freeway