We first hit-up Kickstand Cafe, the same coffee shop we went to yesterday. It's a really nice layout and atmosphere, which helps make up for the fact they take forever and a day to make hte breakfast sandwhiches (classic sausage, egg and cheese). By ten we were off to Sedona, with the Oak Creek Canyon drive being more impressive from this angle as you get a better view of the red rock drive into Sedona.
We were hoping to do, or at least planning to do, two hikes, but once again the trailhead for the Cathedral Rock was full, so we skipped that and just did the Sacred Pools hike, which was beautiful with endless views of two red rock formations. In one way, this type of red beauty makes complete sense se we are to some degree in a desert, but what is odd is you get even 5 miles out of Sedona on either side its either lush forest or open plain. These red rocks really come out of nothing, but are so incredible when you are there.
Sedona has trails all over the place but surprisngly little parking to support them. I think to experience it best you really have to stay in Sedona so you can reach the trails early - something for next time, and given how much I've enjoyed Arizona, there will be a next time, at some time.
That said, Sedona is a bit too touristy for my liking in terms of doing things that aren't hiking or being in awe of the natural surroundings. Most of the shops and restaurants that were on the main drag were either openly kitschy or chains. We did find one gem of each. For shopping it was the Clear Creek Trading house which was a large series of rooms selling what at least on its face seemed to be traditional native and/or desert fare. It was a really interesing place, and mayb3e they have me fooled and its no better than all the other ones in Sedona but I found it a bit more authentic.
For food, we picked a place that was very authentic. Tamaliza is a bit outside the main drag in Sedona, and it was perfect. Noted for its tamales (hence the name) the place is a really simple Mexican restaurant, where you order upfront right next to where three older Mexican ladies were creating the dishes. They have a long menu but are noted most for the tamales so that's what we stuck to. I got one which was chicken mole, which was quite good, and then a spicy pork tamale which was fantastic.
By around 1pm we were on our way out of Sedona and down to Phoenix. But before we did we redoubled back to three or four of the viewing areas (all trailheads, all packed as well with less parking than they should be having), which all showed off the incredible beauty that is this Red Rock area. The drive back to Phoenxi took about two hours (you lose about an hour overall going through Sedona as you have to go off the Rt 17 that runs straight from Flagstaff to Phoenix.
Back in Phoenix we did our last bit of real tourism, going to the Desert Botanical Gardens, which sits around the edge of Phoenix and Tempe (where Arizona State is). The gardens are in a larger park that also houses the city's zoo. The Botanical Gardens is exactly as its name implies, a large very well manicured little slice of desert greens. The amount of catci, inclduing so many with little flower in bloom, was staggering. In theory it is spaced out to have different sections, but aside from one that was dedicated to wildflowers, they more or less looked the same, but that wasn't a bad thing. Cacti come in many shapes and sizes asthis place openly shows.
The flower area was great as well, with just a huge collection of desert flowers and trees, and many birds, including road-runners, ambling around. Tbe whole park was really nicely set-up and included a large shop where they sold little cute cacti in pots, which I would've loved to abscond with a few but figured it was not exactly couth to try to import a cacti into New Jersey.
After the gardens, we flipped a coin on which brewery to visit, with Helton coming out on top. It was fairly empty and surprisingly didn't have a food truck which left us to split a grilled cheese as we were both rather hungry. I had my favorites from the first time here, including their absolutely great milk stout. Phoenix truly does so well with the luxury of space, something say a Houston does well with as well, as these massive breweries are just all so well decorated and spaced. It was actually fairly crowded when we got there around 5:30. I decided to take a little souvenir, a six pack of their IPA (they sadly weren't selling the milk stout - not a huge surprise given its a nitro.
For dinner, we went to Pizzeria Bianco, but this time the larger location they have uptown, coincidently five minutes away from Helton brewing. This location was in a strip mall, but had way more seating and effectiverly the same menu with a few more varied Italian options like a few pastas. We split a cheese + prosciutto appetizer and then I had the same pizza, which was as good but I was stuffed. Made a quick audible to take half the pie takeaway and try to scarf down before my flight.
After dinner which was quicker than I expected, we still had some time to kill before needing to head to the airport, so we hit back to The Wandering Tortoise one last time. It was about 30% full but had sound and energy that seemed all too familiar. More than anything, this trip was about how much I loved the Arizona area, particularly Phoenix and of course the Grand Canyon, and how much fun and peace it was returning to the "normalcy" of travel. Onto the next!
