Day One: Sedona

The first leg of my journey began at home in NJ and ended several hours later when I touched down Phoenix. I gathered my belongings, got into my rental car and began the drive north to Sedona. As I drove those two hours I watched the terrain change subtly from the desert of the Valley of the Sun to the high desert of North Central Arizona. Right around Bumble Bee was when I saw the last of the mighty Saguaro. Further north, the climate is too harsh to support these fragile giants.

Sedona is as beautiful as when I last saw it. A glimpse of those red rocks is all it takes to lift my spirits and energize me. You catch the first glimpse of the red rocks while still on I-17, just before the McGuireville exit. Soon the exit for 179 North to Sedona appears. No matter how many times I drive up Route 179, the terrain never ceases to entrance me.

Spent the afternoon at Sedona's premier photographic spot, Red Rock Crossing. With the late afternoon light, I finally captured my definitive shots of Cathedral Rock and Oak Creek. Having spent most of the day in a plane, and with temperatures in the 80s, I relished wading in the crystal waters of Oak Creek. I set up my tripod at various spots along the creek, and shot until the light finally failed right after sunset.