Egel Nest Road Trip Recap...The Trip Home...Day 8

Day 8
Date: December 31st, 2007
From: Scottsdale, Arizona
To: Sedona, Arizona
Distance: 2 1/2 hours
Weather: sunny and low 50's

This first picture was taken early in the morning...I just love the reflection of the car's center console on the window...it looks like some alien craft hovering above the rocks!


If you can't go around the mountain...just go through it...


Sedona is not far from Scottsdale. The color and climate does change a bit. It became colder as we headed north and the hills began turning the familiar color of red that Sedona is famous for. The following pictures are all heading into Sedona from the south.





We checked into our hotel which was very nice. Busy with New Year's Eve traffic, but very nice. Our good friends Nancy & Brennan have a daughter named Emma. They nicknamed her doodlebug. You can imagine our surprise when we saw the name of the road our hotel was located on.


Then we drove into downtown Sedona around lunchtime. If you have to park somewhere, you might as well have this view...


Sedona's downtown area is very geared towards tourists. Lots of art and craft stores, lots of food, lots of random stuff that tourists like. One shop had this sign hanging in the window. Knowing my mom, my sister sue, the beautiful wife, and all the other women in my life...it it so comically true!


One of the main tourist activities is mountain jeep tours. The leading company running these tours is Pink Jeep Tours...I can't imagine where they came up with that name...


A nice man with a yuck fou t-shirt took this family picture of us...poor Sammy has not learned how to shade his eyes yet!


It was about 2 pm, and the day was getting long...we decided to drive into the majestic and aptly named Red Rock State Park. I decided to take Sammy and hike up a small hill to snap some photos from the top of the hill. The beautiful wife supportively encouraged that we go and promptly took a nap in the car. This photo is from the top of the hill looking down on our car...it looked so tiny from up there. (I briefly thought about my chances of reaching the car alive if I were bit by a western diamondback rattlesnake...then moved on)


Sammy and I on top of the ridge...thank heavens for tripods and timer settings on the camera!


Then Sammy saw his shadow...he looked so surprised...and then began his "shadow run of terror." (Although to me it looked like he was playing the "Can daddy catch me before I fall off this cliff?" game)




See the frustration in his face?


He quickly figured out that he could not catch his own shadow.

He then moved on to a 5 minute preparation to climb up onto this 2 inch piece of rock in front of him. (He was SO seriously concentrating on this little tiny rock...it was adorable!)


When he made his way up onto the 2 inch slab of rock...he looked so proud!


Before we left I snapped these two photos of the view from the top of the hill we climbed.



We then headed back to our resort and played on the patio. Our hotel had a beautiful view of the surrounding hills.


The beautiful wife, Sammy, and Mr. Staples took in the sights on the patio.



Because it was New Year's Eve, we headed back into Sedona to get a few supplies before the stores all closed.


In the store, we saw this 12 pack on the shelf...is this not the worst name knock-off ever...Dr. Skipper?? As my mom would say...I'm just sayin'!


We got several things from the grocery store. Snacks, baby stuff (food and wipes), and we also picked up this life-like Sammy doll on sale.


Then we saw a green McDonald's sign...the beautiful wife actually spotted it...neither of us could ever recall seeing the "golden" arches being not golden...so we captured the moment.


We headed back to the resort again to rest for the evening. Sammy really enjoyed the patio...mostly because he could run in and out without any obstructions.


He did take a particular interest in the see through drapes...they were shiny and within reach...making them prime targets for play!


There was a lovely sunset over the mountains that day.


A quick snack of his favorite "puffs" before bed.


Before bed, Sammy walked over to his portable high chair, which was on the floor and sat in it voluntarily. This is the same high chair that whenever WE try and put him in it he vigorously fights with us. Everything on Sammy's terms!



Stay tuned for day 9 of the Egel Nest road trip! I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

*Don't forget to click...We are still going strong on Top Momma! Apparently, even though I am a Daddy...I am also a Top Momma! Click here to vote for little Sammy! He is the little guy wearing the blue bucket on his head! After you click on Sammy's picture, it will bring you back to the Nest. Unless people click, I am no longer a Top Momma...so..click away!...Fun! I'll keep this at the top of my posts as long as I am a Top Momma contender*