Of Grander Things

February 27th, 2014

Just a day into our trip, Johnny and I headed out on the road again. We drove through Sedona to a 'scenic highway' towards Flagstaff. This route was supposed to save time but the curves on the highway became sharper and sharper.  It became more and more nerve wracking as the lanes narrowed. You never knew when the next care would come around the corner. I had to have full concentration, and with rain and snow in the forecast, there was no time to waste.

We finally made it to a long stretch of highway going west with no sharp turns- and breathed a sigh of relief. The landscape changed quickly from hilly with snow-caped peaks to desert. The last stretch of highway north to the Grand Canyon is desolate. At one point, tumbleweed crossed the road in front of us. The only thing left in the area seemed to be scattered cacti and half abandoned gas stations.

Just outside of Grand Canyon Village, we realized we came ill-prepared. The temperature was about 10 degrees Celsius colder than Sedona and 20 degrees colder than Phoenix. It felt worse with the gusty winds. We stopped at some random gift shop and picked up another hoody to put on top of the rest of our clothes.

Amazing Scope

The Grand Canyon sneaks up on you- can't really tell that what is ahead of you until it is right in front of you. We got off at the South Kaibab Trailhead and neared the edege of the lookout. A huge gust of wind blew sand and cold air into our faces before we could get a clear view.

When you go to Niagara Falls, it is beautiful but you kind of expected something bigger. The same can't be said of The Grand Canyon- it is bigger than what you think it is going to be and that is saying something! The South Rim is full of color, far from the red rock of Sedona, there are greys, green, and blues layering the massive natural made structures around you.

Johnny and I descended down the trailhead against our better judgement. Weaving in and around mules and hikers, we went further and further into the Canyon. Signs are everywhere to warn you about going down too far. Apparently, many people year after year, will try to go all the way down to the Colorado River and back, and without proper provisions. If it weren't for our excessive picture taking, we might have gone too far down by accident.

Somewhere near the 'Oh-Ah point', we got hit by all four seasons in one shot. One minute, it was snowing, the next it was Sunny, the next Rainy, and then overcast. The weather did not want to make up its mind. Whenever we reached a wide open area on the Canyon, the whole place predictably became a wind tunnel blowing debris in our eyes. Frequently, we turned away to avoid the brunt of the wind and tried to keep low to avoid being caught up in a gust of wind.

We made it as far as Cedar Ridge, before we decided to turn back. We took in the view while we there, and took a rest before making our way back up. You can't got that much further than this or Skeleton Point, if you expect to climb back up the same day. Or so says Trip Advisor . Besides, my legs were already wonky, and Johnny was getting out of breath as it is. We were adventurous but not that crazy!

Beautiful View, Cold Hands

We eventually made it back up the trail, and took the car over to Powell Point and Hopi Point. These are great places to take a sunset photo of the canyon. But in February, maybe not so much. We got some amazing vista on camera but our hands were turning blue as we did it. Once the sun finally feel deep into the night sky, and magic hour was over, we packed up and heading back to Sedona.

Not without a stop to Sizzler though! For those who have never gone, it is pretty much Ponderosa or Bonanza. Huge buffet for cheap prices, so it may not have been gourmet but the Canyon makes you hungry and it fit the bill as we needed to stop for gas in Flagstaff anyway. Johnny said it was one of the better meals of our trip, which probably means we picked the wrong restaurants to go to.

Next blog... "The Vortex"...

Into Sedona

February 26, 2014

We arrived late in Phoenix. So late that the rental clerk was doing double duty handing out cars and running clearly across the lot to open the gate and go back to his post again.

I was traveling with my friend, Johnny, who had a film at the Sedona Film Festival and we were determined to get to our noon screening the next day. That meant I was chugging back Pepsi, weaving in and out of lanes on a dimly lit Arizona highway. In a fog (not literal fog thankfully!) of mountains, stars, and roundabouts, we crawled into Sedona and found our beds.

After a serene breakfast at our Resort (Poco Diablo), we made our way to the screening. Sedona Film Fest goes out of their way to help filmmakers enjoy their experience. Our resort was paid for, there was free lunch and dinner selections from local restaurants in the VIP Lounge and free tickets to the films. Of course, Sedona scenery itself is amazing, the red rocks tower over the sky of this town, like looking at a picture from a National Geographic Magazine.

The screening theatre was packed for our double bill, Johnny's film- The Marvelous Girl followed by the feature length documentary, Dancing in Jaffa. The audience was predominantly in their 50s and 60s but its Sedona- at noon- on a Wednesday. In between screenings, Johnny took the mic for a Q&A with the audience with his nerves going. In the end, the audience was appreciative and he held his own.

This screening seemed to be the most fulfilling one yet, something was different this time, there was a sincerity in their love of the film. As we walked the streets of Sedona, people would stop him to tell them how much he liked the movie. I think it was more than Sedona's mystical energy that was giving everyone good vibrations.

After exploring the downtown, grabbing some late dinner at the VIP lounge, we went to the theatre watch the critically acclaimed documentary The Act of Killing. Admittedly probably not the best film to watch before going to sleep. The night ended much the way the previous one did- driving the dark streets trying to find our resort.

Next blog... "Of Grander Things"...