Suzanne from the reception said yesterday that it would be cloudy the next few days… At shortly before 7 the first cigarette outside, she is probably right.

At breakfast it slowly clears up – Suzanne was wrong. Great, then drive up the road to Oak Creek Canyon again and look without clouds and rain. No sooner said than done. Sedona is even better than Santa Fe. Very nice little town with lots of recreational opportunities around mountain biking and hiking. Lots of trails that have different levels of difficulty. All framed by the nice looking Red Rocks.

Sedona – Oak Creek

Around noon we leave for Tucson. Stopover is at Montezuma’s Castle. Montezuma was never here, but the first settlers thought that this must have been a refuge of his. The story is wrong, the name remained.

Montezuma’s Castle

Great scenery at the castle. 35 inhabitants probably lived in it. Next door was another pueblo for 100 residents, but that is destroyed by fires, only remnants of it can still be seen.

Montezuma’s Castle

Unspectacular onward journey via Phoenix to Tucson. Unfortunately, it is already quite late when we arrive at the hotel. Too late to do Sonora Desert Museum, Old Tucson or Saguaro National Park. So, again shopping. 90 stores including outlets are in Foothill’s Mall Shopping Paradise. And again, bulge the suitcases a bit…. But the prices here are too tempting.

Tomorrow then Sonora Desert Museum, Old Tucson and Saguaro National Park. After that it’s time to pack our bags. So this will probably be the second to last blog entry…