This trip is one of my faves in recent years, full of regional history, local color and great eats. The hiking was excellent; the scrambles were fun. The red-rock trails and buttes near Sedona are magnificent. These and other images from my trip to Arizona, the last before the COVID pandemic shut things down, have been woven together in a short presentation now up on my YouTube page. Check it out at https://bit.ly/3sJimXx

Having developed an interest in cliff-dwellings and cliff-dwelling cultures on prior trips to New Mexico, my partner Susan and I took advantage of opportunities to visit ancient tribal dwellings/pueblos: Tuzigoot National Monument (nps.gov/tuzi) near Clarkdale and Montezuma Castle National Monument near Camp Verde (nps.gov/moca). Both are managed by the National Park Service and have fascinating histories.

Unfortunately, we didn’t have a lot of time at Montezuma. It was a bit of a drive after touring Tuzigoot and the rangers let us know, upon arrival, that the park would soon close. Our visit was short, but it provided views of an awesome cliff structure, compelling enough to warrant going back once I’m willing to fly again. I’m looking forward to that – and others. –HM