Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Today, we explored Walnut Canyon National Monument.
Walnut Canyon features a collection of single-story cliff dwellings built high on a canyon wall. During the 12th and 13th century, the Sinagua people constructed 300 rooms in the shelter of the canyon walls and thrived in the canyon for about 150 years. It is believed that their descendants now dwell together with the Hopi people in northeastern Arizona, whose first villages date from 1100 A.D.
The next two photos are views from the overlook at the start of the trail.
The link below has a great photo. These dwellings were built like a row of apartments with walls that separated each room. These were of particular interest to me because I had not seen this type of cliff dwelling before. A park ranger commented "when you have seen one cliff dwelling, you have not seen them all".
At this dwelling, we had to retrace our steps as the trail was closed on the right. Near the trailhead, a team of rangers were on top of a cliff maneuvering bags of cement that were "zip lined" from the visitor's centre. There was also a hose that stretched from the center through the forest canopy onto the cliff. I heard the ranger explain the hose was providing water to mix the cement. Work was being done to stabilize some of the trail path and dwellings. One ranger was stationed near the work area to stop and start foot traffic.
The following photos are from our drive to Sedona. We were hugged by trees then rocks.
We explored Tlaquepaque, a shopping gallery with restaurants and gardens with sculptures and fountains.
Chimichanga lunch at El Rincon. J's is filled with shrimp, mine with rice and beans. But which is which?!
http://www.tlaq.com/stores/el-rincon.html
One breathtaking view after another....
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