Courthouse Butte - Bell Rock Loop

On our first day in Sedona we opt to do the 4.25 mile Courthouse Butte/Bell Rock Loop hike.  It's a beautiful, nearly 100 degree day but it doesn't seem that hot.  Slathered up with PF50 sunscreen and plenty of water, we set off on the very easy trail.  The first two pictures are of Courthouse Butte from different positions.  It took quite awhile to get all the way around it.

 

 

 This third pictue is Bell Rock.  By the time we get here, I have to admit I'm getrting pretty hot and tired.  But the view is just so darn worth it!

Ok, I admit it.  I have a cactus fascination.  This is the prickly pear cactus and the red knobs are actually the fruit of the cactus.  They make all sorts of stuff out of the fruit like candy and jams.  I had a sea bass dish that was served with a prickly pear sauce.  Yummy!

This would be the so-called cross roads, or cross trail as the case may be.  This was a fantastic hike, and now it's time to head back to the hotel for a little pool time.

After the cool dip, a little nap, and little spiffin' up and we were off to what was probably the classiest place to dine, Renee at Tlaquepaque (pronounced tlackypacky) www.rene-sedona.com/.  This place is on the Wine Spectator list so you an just imagine what fantastic wines were available.  Brent had antelope while I settled for the more mundane, yet perfectly cooked scallops.  I was saving room for dessert -flambed cherries jubilee served over french vanilla ice cream. MMMmmmmm.   I haven't had that since I was a kid. It was wonderful.