Wednesday, June 20 (Pat)
Originally today was going to be taking a tour to the Hopi Indian Reservation. The tour ended up being cancelled when one couple backed out. Before we went to Jerome we stopped in at the concierge to look at another option – since the Hopi tour had been our gift for attending the RCI presentation.
They offered a helicopter tour. Having just experienced one form of air travel (balloon) we thought it would be fun. So at 8:30am we were getting weighed-in for our flight. One other couple, Ron and I, and the pilot, Steve. Maverik Helicopter tours had a new two million dollar fancy helicopter. The Sedona airport is up on a flat mesa so you can look around and see the surrounding red rocks. We drove out to the helipad, took photos with the pilot in front of the helicopter and loaded up. Ron and I next to the pilot in front, the other woman beside me and the husband had the back to himself. The front of the helicopter was all window, even down low by our feet. Once the rotor was going we put on our headphones and it was surprisingly quiet. We hovered above the ground for a few minutes then took off to the east off the mesa. With the huge visibility in front it was like the IMAX movie watching the ground, canyons, rocks come below us. The tour flew by Cathedral Rock – level with its big rock spires, then past Courthouse Butte and Bell Rock, and headed north. It was awesome! The birds-eye view of the red rock formations up close!! There was so much to take in! We flew along the formations while Steve talked about what we were seeing. We would fly right over notches in the rock walls – up past where we hiked last night and across Oak Creek. We flew over the burn area from last summer and a flat plateau area before entering into more high walled canyon terrain – Secret Canyon. It was gorgeous. Narrow, lots of pines, sheer red rock walls. After coming out the west end of the canyon we banked south with a good view of the mesa lands, back towards Cottonwood and Jerome. Turning east it was behind some more rock walls into Boynton Canyon. Tall red rock walls, logs of rock spires in the distance, hardly treed – it was beautiful. As we flew along the canyon walls Steve pointed out the ancient Indian ruins in the crevices of the rock. In the helicopter you are close, looking straight on at them and getting a sense of the panoramic view at the same time. An exceptional way to experience this area. Coming out the canyon we flew over West Sedona, the Sedona Pines Resort and angled back to the mesa and helipad. WOW! I would take another tour in a minute. It is difficult to take it all in – there is so much to see. Ron felt the same way – the ride was very smooth and comfortable. They also do tours up to Grand Canyon as well – two and a half to three hour trips. Maybe someday. Afterwards we decided to purchase a photo on a plaque and DVD of our flight with narration and our voices. Very cool!
After the helicopter ride we stopped and took pictures from the mesa lookout point viewing Sedona and the colorful backdrops. Back at the resort we relaxed, read, sunned, sat at the pool, and worked on the computer for a leisurely afternoon. We decided to head off for an early evening hike and initially started out for the Soldier Pass trailhead. Turns out the trailhead is closed at 6pm and we were just that. So we headed back. On the way a quail with four tiny chicks ran across the road in front of us. So cute! We headed up Coffee Pot Road to Sugar Loaf trail head. We wanted an easy trail and the Thunder Mountain trail was listed as easy. As we headed up the canyon taking photos of the rock spires making up the Coffee Pot Ridge we decided to head east so we could see the spires better and see where the sun was still hitting the rocks. Pretty soon there was a branch-off trail that headed up this large mound. Intrigued by the opportunity for a grand vista we opted for the climb. It was well worth it. On top was a 360 degree view. Down into Sedona, we could see our parked car just below us. Cathedral Rock and Courthouse Butte peaked above the airport mesa glowing in the setting-sun rays. The rock ridges around uptown Sedona were lit up and gradually darkened as the sun set. We stayed on top, soaking in the view as long as we dared, still allowing time to descend before the dusk became too dark. We met up with a couple walking their little dog and chatted with them a bit about the local coyotes. We enjoyed a beer at the car in the twilight and headed for the resort and a light dinner. A spectacular day start to finish!
Originally today was going to be taking a tour to the Hopi Indian Reservation. The tour ended up being cancelled when one couple backed out. Before we went to Jerome we stopped in at the concierge to look at another option – since the Hopi tour had been our gift for attending the RCI presentation.
They offered a helicopter tour. Having just experienced one form of air travel (balloon) we thought it would be fun. So at 8:30am we were getting weighed-in for our flight. One other couple, Ron and I, and the pilot, Steve. Maverik Helicopter tours had a new two million dollar fancy helicopter. The Sedona airport is up on a flat mesa so you can look around and see the surrounding red rocks. We drove out to the helipad, took photos with the pilot in front of the helicopter and loaded up. Ron and I next to the pilot in front, the other woman beside me and the husband had the back to himself. The front of the helicopter was all window, even down low by our feet. Once the rotor was going we put on our headphones and it was surprisingly quiet. We hovered above the ground for a few minutes then took off to the east off the mesa. With the huge visibility in front it was like the IMAX movie watching the ground, canyons, rocks come below us. The tour flew by Cathedral Rock – level with its big rock spires, then past Courthouse Butte and Bell Rock, and headed north. It was awesome! The birds-eye view of the red rock formations up close!! There was so much to take in! We flew along the formations while Steve talked about what we were seeing. We would fly right over notches in the rock walls – up past where we hiked last night and across Oak Creek. We flew over the burn area from last summer and a flat plateau area before entering into more high walled canyon terrain – Secret Canyon. It was gorgeous. Narrow, lots of pines, sheer red rock walls. After coming out the west end of the canyon we banked south with a good view of the mesa lands, back towards Cottonwood and Jerome. Turning east it was behind some more rock walls into Boynton Canyon. Tall red rock walls, logs of rock spires in the distance, hardly treed – it was beautiful. As we flew along the canyon walls Steve pointed out the ancient Indian ruins in the crevices of the rock. In the helicopter you are close, looking straight on at them and getting a sense of the panoramic view at the same time. An exceptional way to experience this area. Coming out the canyon we flew over West Sedona, the Sedona Pines Resort and angled back to the mesa and helipad. WOW! I would take another tour in a minute. It is difficult to take it all in – there is so much to see. Ron felt the same way – the ride was very smooth and comfortable. They also do tours up to Grand Canyon as well – two and a half to three hour trips. Maybe someday. Afterwards we decided to purchase a photo on a plaque and DVD of our flight with narration and our voices. Very cool!
After the helicopter ride we stopped and took pictures from the mesa lookout point viewing Sedona and the colorful backdrops. Back at the resort we relaxed, read, sunned, sat at the pool, and worked on the computer for a leisurely afternoon. We decided to head off for an early evening hike and initially started out for the Soldier Pass trailhead. Turns out the trailhead is closed at 6pm and we were just that. So we headed back. On the way a quail with four tiny chicks ran across the road in front of us. So cute! We headed up Coffee Pot Road to Sugar Loaf trail head. We wanted an easy trail and the Thunder Mountain trail was listed as easy. As we headed up the canyon taking photos of the rock spires making up the Coffee Pot Ridge we decided to head east so we could see the spires better and see where the sun was still hitting the rocks. Pretty soon there was a branch-off trail that headed up this large mound. Intrigued by the opportunity for a grand vista we opted for the climb. It was well worth it. On top was a 360 degree view. Down into Sedona, we could see our parked car just below us. Cathedral Rock and Courthouse Butte peaked above the airport mesa glowing in the setting-sun rays. The rock ridges around uptown Sedona were lit up and gradually darkened as the sun set. We stayed on top, soaking in the view as long as we dared, still allowing time to descend before the dusk became too dark. We met up with a couple walking their little dog and chatted with them a bit about the local coyotes. We enjoyed a beer at the car in the twilight and headed for the resort and a light dinner. A spectacular day start to finish!
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