6/29/09 Fossil Creek Adventure

This past Sunday afternoon, I went hiking with some buddies. Fossil Creek Flume Trail. Here’s how the U.S. Forest Service describes the Fossil Creek Wilderness:

"... the most diverse riparian area in Arizona. Over thirty species of trees and shrubs and over a hundred species of birds have been observed in this unique habitat. The stream seems to appear out of nowhere, gushing 20,000 gallons a minute out of a series of springs at the bottom of a 1,600 foot deep canyon. Over the years these calcium laden waters have laid down huge deposits of a material called travertine. That rock-like substance encases whatever happens to fall into the streambed - forming the fossils for which the area is named. - U.S. Forest Service Web Site.

The Fossil Creek Flume Trail is a moderate-to-strenuous hike (8-miles round trip) that leads you to swimming holes and waterfalls at the location of a former power plant dam. Until recently, there was an actual flume, but this has been dismantled and the entire area is being returned to its natural state -- a cynic might say this simply means that State is making it as difficult as possible to access.

Yes, there are swimming holes in Sedona and throughout the Verde Valley much easier to access. But what is a relaxing swim without a stressful adventure to proceed it, eh? Actually, you can access a very popular swimming area on Fossil Creek via a short walk from the parking area, and this is where most folks do their Fossil Creek swimming. My buddies, however, wanted to do the Flume Trail. Hummm.

I would only recommend the Flume Trail to experienced hikers who are comfortable carrying several gallons of water on their backs. The trail is very exposed with little-to-no shade and the four miles in climbs 1600 feet above Fossil Creek before descending to the water. Without compatriots to keep the conversation going, it would be quite tedious.

Oh, and NOW, at one point about 2.5 miles in, the trail is totally washed out -- destroyed by a landslide during a recent flash flood. A rope anchored to a sturdy tree allows hikers to continue into the gapping crevasse then up the other side. My friends and I ran into one group of “city hikers” who turned back upon confronting this obstacle, which looked more challenging that it was. My buddy, Prescott Mike, had two dogs accompanying him, and both dogs were able to climb down and up the steep gap without using the rope. The rest of us, however, used the rope.

Once you reach the swimming holes at the creek, there are four or five waterfalls, three terraced levels of flat water, a grotto, and several, short but powerful rapids that will beat you up like a deep-tissue massage. Just remember: after your swim, you’ve a long hike back out. We ended up hiking out as the sun set.

Another caution: SNAKES! Hiking out at dusk, we heard what sounded like an extremely loud insect -- sounded similar to a cicada, more like a high-pitched buzz than a rattle, but you can guess what it was. A rattlesnake. Don’t panic. Rattlesnakes will (almost) always retreat if you do the same (slowly). This particular rattler was curled up along the side of the trail. I was ten or twelve feet away, so not in any danger. I backed away, giving the snake time to retreat, which it did. As I mentioned above, however, we were accompanied by two unleashed dogs. Luckily, Prescott Mike’s dogs obey the “Stay!” command. They stood very still, though their curiosity was peaked. It was hard to believe that they didn’t chase after the snake, but they didn’t. Good dogs! Note: I originally assumed that seeing a rattlesnake on the Flume Trail was unusual; however, I’ve since heard of another person running into a rattler on this same trail. So … watch out. And make sure your dogs know the command, “Stay!”

After the first hour, the sky was black and the stars were spectacular. That’s one of my favorite things about northern Arizona. The stars are so bright it seems you can reach up and pinch the constellations. My buddy, Cottonwood Joe, pointed out Scorpio rising over the Mogollon Rim. Nice!

Okay, that’s enough blogging for now. And I didn’t even get to mention the Sedona poetry slam. I’ll try to catch you up on more Sedona local goings-on next time. Blog more at you soon. - Mike

6/4/09 One of Those Months, Attack Eagle & Cotton Candy

Ever have one of those months where you think you’re on top of things, keeping your metaphor- ical vehicle between the lines, but your metaphorical steering wheel falls off into your lap, the road becomes a roller coaster, the only advice you get is bad, seatbelts aren’t working, you start dreaming about elves, and whatever you do to try to prove you’re not crazy just makes you look crazier and crazier? Oh, well, uh … me neither.

Hey, how fun is that image to the left? My buddy, Jon, created that one by combining several images, including one of me standing in front of an eagle statue at Gold King Mine in Jerome. I was pretending the statue was attacking me. Yeah, I'm just a kid, really. You can't take me anywhere. ;)

Actually, May was another great month for Sedona Green Gallery & Gifts. No complaints on that front -- and if you catch me complaining, grab me by the shoulders and shake me back to my senses because the new location has been brilliant for us. There’s still a lot to do to get the store exactly where I want it to be in terms of sales and product, but no complaints allowed at this point. Now we're into June. Here comes the summer. Let's see how it goes.

Lizard, lizard, lizard: So many lizards dashing around Sedona’s Uptown Mall fountain at the back of the plaza! Several times a day, I’ll walk out to the large, rock fountain just to watch the lizards scuttle and dart rock-to-rock. That’s one of my favorite things about early summer in Northern Arizona: lizards.

You should smell Sedona in March and early June. The honey suckles are blooming, and the air smells like a cotton candy factory. Ummmmmmm. On top of that, the prickly pear cactus pads are loaded with yellow blooms. The javelinas have full, round bellies. Everything is alive this month. Green, purple and white. March and June are wonderful months in Northern AZ. If it’s too late for you to visit us this month, mark it on your calendar for next year.

I’ll be off work several days this month. Visitors and … things I want to do. Nevertheless, if you’re visiting Sedona, and planning to swing by Sedona Green Gallery & Gifts, you’ll get a special treat: Zen Jen will be in charge of the store on most days I’m gone; and she’s much prettier than I am.

Short blog this week. The store is full of customers, and I have to do that thing I do. Blog more at y’all soon. - Mike