Tuesday, April 29 Sedona, Tonto Natural Bridge, Tonto National Forest

 Tuesday, April 29

55 degrees this morning and when we step outside we see several hot air balloons floating over us. 

We drive some of the loops around Sedona, enjoying the beautiful red rocks. Beth wanted to see the Cathedral Area, so we go there and stop to walk the Old Post Trail, which has nice views of Cathedral Rocks.  It is a bit hazy this morning so pictures with any distance aren't great,  but we enjoy the walk, seeing only one other person and a few brave flowers which somehow manage to flourish.

We stop at a McDonalds for breakfast sandwiches around 10:00.  (Wow! $24+ for breakfast at McDonalds.)  Greg decides to try to access the beautiful hills behind the shopping area and we end up in a residential area with some lovely homes and terrific views!  

As we are stopped by a vacant field area, a whole herd of 8-10 javelina come trotting up Buckboard Road 

behind us, flow around our Trek and into the field. 

Greg thought this guy was laughing.

Next we head toward Tonto Natural Bridge State Park, which is a bit of a drive.  We are in a National Forest though, and this one actually has towering pine trees along with the juniper and others.  Through the little towns of Strawberry and Pine... Sue had mentioned this place as somewhere they'd enjoyed biking.  The actual Natural Bridge is a bit underwhelming, but the grounds and trails are nice and Greg finds a nice purplish rock for our yard. 

This is the natural travertine bridge.

Some interesting cliffs and caves.

A ranger here recommends Houston Mesa National Forest Campground near the town of Payson, so we head there for the rest of the day.  The sites are spacious and well maintained and we enjoy hanging out, reading and relaxing at site #74.

The sunset is amazing, shifting colors as it disappears.