Our next day’s destination was Fay Canyon. It is rated an easy trail and was just what we needed as we made the adjustment from Orlando’s sea-level to Sedona’s 4350-foot elevation. Throw in jet lag and a head cold, and we chose well for our second hike.
Fay Canyon is 2.2 miles round trip (out and back) and only has an elevation gain of 150 feet – perfect. It was scenic and quiet. One could take the challenge of scrambling up to an arch, but we literally took the easy route. Frankly, I felt great success in getting out of bed, what with the vortex having its opposite effect on me!
Along the Fay Canyon Trail
We talked with several hikers, including a family who did the scramble up to the arch, but my favorite people were Jazz and Janelle.
We met Janelle quite a bit before we met her husband, Jazz. We almost passed her as we were hiking back from the end of the canyon when she said, “If you see my husband, tell him I miss him.”
She tried to just keep walking past us, but I had to know more – how would we know him and what was his name. She assured us we’d know him.
Several minutes later, a man walking the cutest puppy came into our view. I said, “Jazz?”
He gave that startled, confused look that told me I’d found my guy.
“Your wife says she misses you.”
He chuckled as we pet his dog, and then another person went by and told him, “Your wife says she loves you.”
I can only imagine how many people delivered messages to Jazz, but in his defense, when you’re walking a fuzzy little puppy, people don’t let you make too much progress on your hike.
The end of the trail, or at least the end of the trails you don’t have to blaze yourself.
We felt pretty good after our easy hike and thought we had one more in us. Spoiler alert: We were wrong.
We started the hike to near-by Doe Mountain. It was a mere six-tenths of a mile one way, but it was rated moderate. Beautiful 360-degree views of Sedona’s red rocks were promised for those who made it to the top. I will have to assume that was true, because by the time we had hiked straight up (or maybe very steeply up) for 45 minutes, I knew in my heart that I would never be able to verify that fact. When I say I knew in my heart, I mean it! I will tell you that the view from halfway up was stunning enough for me. We enjoyed sitting along the trail and taking it in while catching our breath and hydrating.
The breath-taking view from Doe Mountain
On the way back to our resort, we passed this McDonald’s. Sedona is located in what is called the Verde Valley. Verde means green, and Sedona is very proud of its green which complements its red rocks and amazing blue sky. Even though we experienced a lot of clouds, rain, and even some hail and snow, I can say that the glimpses of blue sky that we caught were amazing. All of the colors are magnificent, but I’m not sure what McDonald’s was thinking when it tried to blend in with the green. I definitely think they should stick with golden arches. That shade of green made me suspicious that something was amiss with their meat. But, that’s just me. I got a cheeseburger there anyway, but of course that was only to check my theory!
Tune in tomorrow for just a little more on Sedona. Thanks for reading!
Life on the Lighter Side 