Please forgive what is essentially a self-indulgent travelogue. Because, really, who likes looking at other people’s vacation photos? Fortunately I was able to shadow Sgt. Rock as he embarked on a solo reconnaissance mission to Arizona’s "Red Rock" country: Sedona and its environs. Here follows a photographic recap of a week scouting in one of the Earth’s most beautiful locations. Our little East Company canvassed primarily a 12 mile stretch of scenic terrain in Oak Creek Canyon.
MISSION: A.B. Young Trail | 34.9714, -111.7521 | 2.3 miles one way
NOTES: Long, hot, and steep switchback climb to canyon rim. Little to no shade.
MISSION: North Wilson Mountain Trail | 34.9232, -111.7394 | 2.2 miles one way
NOTES: Steep climb through lush canyon to flat prairie bench east of Wilson Mountain.
MISSION: West Fork Trail | 34.9898, -111.75 | 3.3 miles one way
NOTES: Trail follows tributary of Oak Creek through towering canyon walls. Easy hike – good for old farts.
MISSION: Cookstove Trail | 35.0145, -111.7322 | 0.6 miles one way
NOTES: Short, very steep trail in pine forest on east face of Oak Creek Canyon. Inspired to practice Yoga at peak.
MISSION: Huckaby Trail | 34.8827, -111.7358 | 3.0 miles one way
NOTES: Rolling trail perched above Oak Creek on west flank of Mitten Ridge. Good location for a skinny dip.
MISSION: Determine if this is, in fact, the Land that Time Forgot.
NOTES: Saw with my own eyes the elusive Geckosaurus Rex, Teragrasshopper, and Ankylobeetle.
MISSION: Branch out and reconnoiter city to north of Oak Creek.
NOTES: Rendezvoused with secret agent at Beaver Creek Brewery. Sampled offerings for field data.
____________________________
Correspondent’s note: I hope to find some solace in knowing I’m not the only one who feels the need to bring toys when he travels. I have clear recollections of the toys I had with me on childhood vacations: M.A.S.K. Piranha on a road trip to Florida; Deep Six and his Sharc down at the Jersey Shore.
The night before our trip up to Sedona I feverishly rummaged through containers of miscellaneous figures looking for the right candidate to accompany us on our trip. I settled on my old Remco Sgt. Rock figure. I like this guy even though I can’t get over his ridiculously short arms. That line would have been so much cooler but for that glaring flaw.
Sgt. Rock was a good companion for our trip to Arizona’s high country and my wife was very patient with all the mini photo shoots.
CantinaDan and Sgt. Rock starring in “The Road to Sedona”! Eat your heart out, Hope & Crosby!
I took a Playmobile pirate ship to Truman Lake on vacation as a kid… didn’t realize it wasn’t designed to float. Lost the ship and all her crew. Leson learned.
Awesome. The pics with the live model insects and others are especially impressive.
My favorite blog ever from you, and that’s saying a LOT.
“Sampled offerings for field data.” ROTFL!!!
You’re the best blogger here, Dan…very very entertaining.
Peace,
Chip
Great to see the old Sarge out of retirement for another mission. The old Remco line was pretty much vanilla compared to Hasbro’s Joes, but I liked how they tried to diversify things a bit with the rarer second series. Excellent pics and blog, Dan.
loved the pictures for they prove one only needs a good camera and an imagination. and nice to see sgt. rock still going strong for an old solider
Thanks, folks. Here’s hoping we’ll see some more Sgt Rock figures in the near future! There are not nearly enough.
If you smell what Sgt. Rock is cooking.
Dan, I’ve been out to Sedona and Slide Rock before and it’s great to see photos of that region.
I didn’t pack toys with me on that trip but often do when I visit Disneyland and even took some shots of Shayera at the Indiana Jones ride for some “Ancient History” backdrops.