With the weather turning cold and wet this week (Nov. 18-22), we moved up our trip to Schnebly Hill Vista/Trail which is near Sedona to Saturday 11/16. It is a much higher elevation and is cooler in general but with the storm front coming in they are expecting snow at elevations about 7,000 feet so we didn't want to risk cold and wet weather.
Bob and Ruger were our tour guides again, however, this trail was a trailered event, hauling Bob's Honda UTV (he got a new one this summer) 200+ miles to the trailhead. We got up at 3:45am and left our RV at 4:39am --- stopped for breakfast in Prescott and then traveled on up to the start of the Schenbly Hill Trail -- it is near Munds Park which is one of Bob's favorite camping places.
We had a chilly morning and the clouds were burning off as we unloaded and headed out. Along the way there are pine trees with bark that looks like alligator skin -- the name Alligator Pine.
This is a closer shot, you can see the mosaic type of small squares. You can also find these on the back way into Prescott.
The men (Ruger is somewhere in the background) explored the overlook and it is chilly enough to have Darrel's hood up to warm his neck.
Ruger finds something to stare at over the cliff.
Susan and Darrel sitting on the edge, beautiful sky and scenery in the background!
It was about 45 degrees but the sun warmed us up quickly.
Absolutely gorgeous and we had the morning sun helping to illuminate the mountains.
Susan and Ruger walking the trail.
So green, makes a great contrast.
Darrel is giving me a run for my money on the photography snaps. He was in charge of the camera so we didn't leave it on the trail or drop it in a stream (my bad)
Here is where we are headed down the trail.
The mountain ridges to the left made it look like Christmas with red/green tiers that are much better in person, absolutely gorgeous!
We were having a great day and as we journeyed down the trail, we had a mechanical issue happen to the Honda and we started overheating -- the steam rolled out and we shut down the UTV to let it cool. Well, having Bob and Darrel to cipher things, we let it cool, added water from our jugs and decided to head back up the trail since we were about 1/3 of the way down. Darrel figured the thermostat must have gotten stuck.
After we got it going, it never over heated again but we didn't want to take any chances and didn't even want to think about what a tow would cost!!!!???!!!
I took a snap of some of the really tall pines as the blue sky showed through.
It is an amazing area and we will go back to finish the trail in the spring (winter is probably here and don't want to risk trail closure).
Ruger is such a smart dog and loves the trails, he rides in the back when we are using one UTV. We wouldn't know how to behave if we didn't have the guard dog enjoying the ride as much as we do.
He is on the hunt for squirrels or other wildlife -- what a nose he has.
Here's Bob's Honda UTV -- he is unhappy with it right now but it is a nice machine and has pick up and go with a little more seat room and leg room.
So we loaded up the Honda, headed back early, stopped at Dairy Queen to cheer up Bob's woes. Darrel and I both felt we had a great day, beautiful weather and as the Pendergast motto goes, Nobody got hurt (well, Bob did get a little burn from the hot radiator water) and nobody died -- so all in all a successful trip!
We look forward to returning next spring and finish the trail -- I've added a trail pic and a link to the Schnebly Hill Vista website so you can find out more about this are.
Here's the entire trail, we were at the upper right top near I-17 and the trail stretches to Sedona
We made it down to Munds Wagon area before we over heated.
Now we are back in chore mode, Darrel is working on the shed organizing and finally is working on the tool boxes from the truck. The weather has turned cool (not cold by comparison to places in the nation) so we are working on the loft tubs and rearranging stuff that we want to get to quickly. I did get everything mostly clean (desert dust is always around) and we have the ants mostly gone, still on the look out for new hills.
Thanksgiving is coming up soon, and we wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving --- we are so thankful to our wonderful family and friends that support us on the road!
Love and blessings,
Susan & Darrel
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