Archive for May, 2011

Bell Rock Pathway

May 26th, 11 / 25 Comments

Our Skywatch® Team:

Klaus, Sandy, Wren, and Sylvia

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Bell Rock Pathway was our second hike of the day, in the village of Oak Creek, Sedona, Arizona. It is one of Sedona’s most prominent vortex sites. It has been said that the people who hike these trails experience some kind of an electrical charge throughout their bodies.

All panoramic images can be enlarged – just click it!

Looking from the left is Bell Rock, and next to it is towering rock formation called Courthouse Butte. It is believed  that Walt Disney named some of his characters from the many shapes and images found in the red rocks of Sedona. One of the characters is Snoopy.

It is an easy hike, did not climb, just did a loop

Another close up of the Court House Butte

Sedona is beautiful!

Arizona, Bell Rock, Courhouse Butte, Hiking, Meme, SkyWatch Friday

Paradise Falls at Wildwood Park

May 24th, 11 / 23 Comments

Purple Sage and dune sunflowers paved the way towards Paradise Falls.

the water source coming all the way from the top

strong gush flowing

rock formation looking like a lion’s mouth spitting water!

rock roses I found as we headed back to the trails

barrel cacti blooms resting on the fence

saw this pole as we head back to the parking lot.

It was one great Sunday outdoor activity.  See related post below.

This post is linked to:

waterywed2c

Hosted by 2sweetnsaxy

and

Outdoor Wednesday logo

Outdoor Wednesday

Hosted by Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer

California, Meme, Outdoor Wednesday, Paradise Falls, Thousand Oaks, Watery Wednesday, Wildwood Park

Sunday Morning at the Park

May 22nd, 11 / 15 Comments

This post is linked to

That’s My World

Klaus, Sandy, Wren, and Sylvia

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An early workout took my group and me to Wildwood Park, located in the Conejo Valley, City of Thousand Oaks, CA.

Thousand Oaks, also is the last leg, Stage 8,  of the Amgen Bike Tour of California.  The weather was gloomy and cloudy, not even a hint of sun or blue sky.


The park is huge, consisting of 1,825 acres of open space, 14 trails, about 17 miles, and two waterfalls that flow year-round.

The hillside is covered with yellow wildflowers. Very surprising to me, that there are still wildflowers in bloom, having hiked to different parks in search for wild flowers.

The hike starts with a little incline


The steps made a difference in this uphill climb

(Waving to Barb)


Great contrast of colors with the rock as the backdrop. I was guessing, the clear green plant could either be fennel or anise. I was not familiar with the scent.


I was so amazed there were a lot of blooming barrel cacti.


This is the trail looking from the top to our quest for the Paradise Falls. To be continued…..

Oh, our hiked finished at 11:30 but the conclusion of the Amgen Bike Ride had an ETA of 1:45. Roads were closed, and parking was at a premium. I went home.

Conejo Valley, Hiking, Meme, That's My World Tuesday, Thousand Oaks, Wildwood Park

The Grotto Site

May 20th, 11 / 14 Comments

This post is linked to Weekend Reflections
hosted by
James of Newtown Area Photo.
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Continuing my post from yesterday on the Palatki Ruins in Sedona, AZ, this Grotto site is in one of the alcoves. A forest ranger was there to give us a tour and lecture.

There’s a little reflection of the sign. Safety was one of their concerns, besides preservation of the site.

This is the ceiling, showing only a little shimmer as the light comes in.

One of the pictographs on the wall, that date back ages.

Palatki Ruins
Sedona, AZ
April 15, 2011

Arizona, Meme, Palatki Heritage Site, Weekend Reflections

Red Rock Cliffs

May 19th, 11 / 25 Comments

Our Skywatch® Team:

Klaus, Sandy, Wren, and Sylvia

Click here to see skies from all over the world

The Palatki Heritage is one of the largest Sinagua villages in the area. It was inhabited about 800 years ago, however the rock art indicates cultures used this site 3,000 to 5,000 years earlier.  This is a very well-preserved ruin.

This is still part of our 4-day hiking trip to Sedona, Arizona last month.  There are two trails, one trail was around the Sinagua cliff dwellings, which was closed because of soft rocks falling.

A distant view of the the  “Red rock cliffs” from the alcove.

The second trail is the one that led us to the rock art alcoves. There are many painted symbols, or pictographs which will be featured in a later post.

And a quick pose at the edge (shaky legs) :oops:

Can you see a face formed from this rock?

The weather was great, a warm 70 degrees, cloudy, hazy at times, but the skies turned blue in a few hours.  It is great to be outdoors.  Have a great weekend!

Arizona, Meme, Palatki Heritage Site, SkyWatch Friday
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