May 22, 2014 | Sedona, AZ

By luminousprint on May 22, 2014

05.22.2013   45 degrees this morning in Moab, UT. Heading toward Sedona passed sands blowing over the highways with blinding speed and road signs marked “Zero Visibility Possible.” Tumbleweeds across highway around Holbrook. There’s some driving faster than the posted speed limit, 75mph, and the model S has been cruising in a contented purr at 84mph on cruise control. Stopped in Holbrook for a Burger King Caesar salad w/grilled chicken. Navajo families having lunch together. Tesla’s navigation system has been sorely wanting with frequent wrong directions. But I think that’s probably true of all GPS systems here in Rockies or west of them. Post pictures of petrified forest and don’t forget to show yesterday’s of Wilson arch and multicolored mountain at Whiffle Point. Last night (21st) ate at Badlands Grill: buffalo steak and OZV.

Now there is the possibility that I may stay here in Sedona one more night. It’s Memorial Day Weekend. Wasn’t able to procure a third night at the site that caught my fancy, Sedona Rouge Hotel and Spa. Nor was I able to get a Grand Canyon tour where a helicopter takes you two (and a party of maybe 7 others on a weekend like this) to the canyon rim and then down into the depths by the Colorado River. Mein Geburtstag ist 23. Mai, und I had designed that there then. But this would have been a 6-hour tour, and what I wound up with is 2 hours. Much simpler (no grand helicopter landing down there), but only 2 hours.

Just about every site along 17S (and the historic Route 66) was worth a peer. Cruised much of the Petrified Forest. And I’ve always wanted to view Meteor Crater, a gargantuan bowl in the earth 700′ deep and more than 4,000 feet across…all from a meteorite that pierced this rocky plain about 50,000 years ago. The actual size of the iron-nickel meteorite or dense cluster of them has been estimated at only 150′ in diameter. Trust me, this place has manna, eldritch multivalent pull. When you walk to view/photograph, either on the parapet at a level with rim or another view, 30′ or so higher, the winds here over the plains and bowl-shaped cavity are fierce indeed! Today they were clocked at about 63mph…have been recorded at 95mph. Let’s just say I was holding fast to the rail with one hand, my hat with another, and bending with wind to minimize possible impact of my camera’s lens barrel should it sweep into rail or stone.