We hiked throughout the Sedona hills today, marveled at their stratified rock layers and color.
I took dozens of photos and enjoyed letting my head move away from the swirling questions around my health and body to take in ancient vistas and landscapes. We enjoyed time with friends and good food.
We also stopped and saw Mantazuma’s Castle, ancient ruins of villages and homes built high in rock cliff faces. I’ve always wanted to see remains like this and they didn’t disappoint.
You have to marvel at what humans accomplished thousands of years ago only with human energy and hand tools. With all of the tools at our disposal now, it still would be a feat to build a village on the side of a cliff face.
We ended the day back down in Phoenix, tucked into a hotel and overstimulated by all the change. I had a couple drinks to wind down and hit the hay early.
It was interesting being out in Sedona where it’s incredibly quiet and dark. Our friends said there are restrictions on how much outside light you can have, what kind, etc. I forget how much light I live with in the city, even at night. Our bedroom is never full dark.
It made going to bed early seem like the logical thing to do.
I like having my surroundings unmoored once in a while, especially when I learn and experience something new. I hope to make it back there someday.
PS Our host makes the best cappucinno I’ve ever had. He maintains his own expensive machine and enjoys it. Fun.