We stopped first at Montezuma's Well, a natural spring in the middle of the arid northern 
Arizona high desert.  The water flows year round, and is always 76 degrees -- but is full of
leeches and water scorpions.  We were not inclined to swim.  The site had been occupied by
various ancient peoples up until the 1400s or so.  Remains of their dwellings can be seen
in the background in the photo below.  The area got its name from Spaniards who erroneously
assumed the Aztec king Montezuma owned the place -- but his realm was never this far north.

Just South of Montezuma's Well is Montezuma's Castle, a pueblo occupied by the Sinagua, an
ancient peoples who lived in this region prior to the Hopi or Navajo.   Again, Montezuma
had nothing to do with this dwelling, aside from inspiring enough awe in 17th century Spaniards
for them to have given this place his name.

We spent  a lot of the past 2 days driving the roads of Arizona, so we thought we would
share this through-the-windshield view with you.

We really liked the geology of Sedona.  We spent a few hours one afternoon at Grasshopper
Point State Park, just outside Sedona.  It really had that Arizona feel to it.

The girls got to spend some time frolicking in and about the river that
flowed through Grasshopper Point, although they did not swim.  The
water temperature was incredibly cold.

Doug and Jody actually went on this trip, too, despite the fact that they are not pictured
often.  Below, they idle by the side of the river, watching "the gors" at play.

The girls hiked downriver a quarter mile or so.

February 20 - En Route