Day 3

State Forest Road 761B Sedona, Arizona

We realized that there were several opportunities for Jeep travel in the area where we were camped.  We took SF 525 to the Outlaw Trail.  The day was warm and sunny and the scenery was lovely…red rock. 

Breakfast spot.

The Outlaw Trail had several steep and rocky sections. 

It took us directly to the Honanki Heritage Site. 

The Pink Jeep Tour Company helps to sponsor this site.

People lived here in Red Rock Canyon from about AD 600 to AD 1300.  But, there is actually evidence of human activity in this area for the past 14,000 years!

The trail to the cliff dwellings.

The cliff dwellings.

We were not with a Pink Jeep Tour.  Because of this, we got personal attention from the ranger.  She led us through the site…pointing out the pictographs and petroglyphs and telling us the potential meanings for the various drawings. 

The large circles are thought to be clan symbols.

The longevity of the stonework and the ancient art is astounding.   And as with every other site we have toured…the wall of shame…

Tim talked with the ranger about the possibility of removing the graffiti.  Scientists are reluctant to do so.  The graffiti is usually in an area where the petroglyphs and pictographs also exist.  The fear is that in removing the offensive graffiti, ancient art might also be lost.

We drove next to the Palataki Heritage Site.  We were unable to tour here because we didn’t make an advance reservation.

We drove on the Diamondback Gulch Trail.  This was a bumpy ride. As dry and rocky as it was here, I thought I might see some interesting spiders and snakes…I looked and looked…but nothing!

Lunch spot.

We spent the remainder of the afternoon getting groceries and doing chores. 

Tomorrow we will need to move to a full-service campground to fill our tanks and get the laundry done.  I think that Tim might also be hoping to enjoy some Sunday NASCAR and football!